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Good morning to all of you in Berlin.

And many thanks to Germany for hosting this year's conference.

This is the 20^th time we organised this conference.

And the topic of weapons of mass destruction, arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation remains essential to our shared security.

We face numerous challenges, including from the world's deadliest weapons in the hands of those who seek to undermine us.

The arms control regimes that have contributed to stability and security for so long are not working as they should.

Sometimes because obligations are not honoured.

And in other cases because much needed updates are stalled.

And all the while,

Russia engages in reckless nuclear rhetoric.

China is rapidly expanding its nuclear arsenal without transparency.

North Korea is testing its increasingly dangerous arsenal and delivery systems.

And Iran continues to attempt to develop its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.

But NATO Allies are ensuring that we have what we need to deter and defend.

By investing more in defence and producing more capabilities.

NATO's deterrence and defence posture is based on an appropriate mix of nuclear, conventional and missile defence capabilities, complemented by space and cyber capabilities.

And the strategic nuclear forces of the Alliance, particularly those of the United States, are the supreme guarantee of our shared security. The nuclear forces of the United Kingdom and France also have an important deterrent role.

This is unchanged. As is our commitment to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which remains the cornerstone of the global non-proliferation regime.

We must uphold and strengthen the NPT; there is no credible alternative to it.

Arms control and non-proliferation reduces risk, enhances predictability, and contributes to international stability.

And the stronger we are, the more successful our dialogue on arms control and non-proliferation is. Resulting in greater security for all.

As we work to ensure that arms control is fit for purpose, we must also adapt to current challenges.

We have an opportunity to prepare the ground for future progress.

Artificial intelligence and other emerging tech can help enhance transparency, and strengthen arms control verification and compliance.

I know that new technologies can bring risks.

But they can also significantly enhance our ability to deter and defend. And this is just one avenue we should consider as we look ahead to the future of arms control, disarmament, and non-proliferation.

This conference provides an opportunity to come together to address these issues, which are vital for our shared security. NATO has an important role to play and I look forward to our continued cooperation.