Toespraak minister Ruben Brekelmans (Defensie) bij de Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore
De toespraak is alleen beschikbaar in het Engels.
Excellencies and colleagues, distinguished guests,
On behalf of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, let me begin with a heartfelt thank you to our hosts – the International Institute for Strategic Studies and the government of Singapore. In a time of great uncertainty, your commitment to dialogue and diplomacy lights the path forward.
It’s a privilege to be here – in the heart of the Asia-Pacific, one of the world’s most strategically vital regions. Though the Netherlands may be geographically distant, we are deeply connected to this region. What happens here reverberates across the globe. Because in today’s world, global security is inextricably linked. Whether we are confronting the threat of nuclear proliferation, shaping rules around Artificial Intelligence, or standing up for key principles such as tthe freedom of navigation – we must meet these challenges together.
Allow me to take you back, briefly, to a powerful moment in history. The year was 1994. The Cold War had ended, and the world dared to believe that peace was here to stay. In that moment of hope, the world came together to make a promise – a promise to a young and independent Ukraine. Through the Budapest Memorandum, Ukraine gave up the third-largest nuclear arsenal in the world. It did so not out of weakness, but out of conviction. Conviction that international agreements meant something. That global powers would stand by their word. That sovereignty, once guaranteed, was not negotiable.
Among the signatories of the Budapest Memorandum was the Russian Federation. And yet, three and a half years ago, that same Russia trampled all over the very pledge it had once signed. It invaded Ukraine. It occupied its land. It shattered its borders and shelled its cities.
That, ladies and gentlemen, is not just a war of aggression. It is a betrayal of principle. Of trust. A betrayal of the fundamental idea that disarmament, diplomacy, and dialogue are safer than arms races and war.
What message does that send to the world? It tells others: Do not disarm. Do not trust treaties. Do not rely on promises.
It’s a message we cannot afford to accept. Because the moment we accept that, we invite the return of fear. We reopen the door to arms races, to nuclear brinkmanship, and to the dangerous principle that might makes right.
And we are seeing this happen –also here in the Asia-Pacific. North Korea continues to expand its nuclear arsenal, in defiance of international law. The lack of transparency surrounding China’s nuclear expansion adds to the risk. And given this proliferation, the escalation of territorial disputes, imperial ambitions and geopolitical competition becomes more risky.
These are not isolated threats. Our world is too interconnected, too interwoven, for security threats to remain contained.
In Ukraine, Russia is not acting alone. It is supported – militarily, technologically, economically and politically – by actors from across the globe. North Korean soldiers fight alongside Russian forces in Ukraine and have delivered massive numbers of weapons and ammunition. Iranian drones strike cities and critical Ukrainian infrastructure. Chinese economic and political support sustains Russia’s aggression.
In return, Russia is sharing knowledge and modern technology with the DPRK, increasing its threat to the region. In return, Russia and its allies maintain the resources to support authoritarianism and fuel conflict in this region. And in return, China and others might feel emboldened that imperialism pays off. This war demonstrates how regional conflicts can become global challenges – demanding global responses.
Beyond state actors, we also face something even more unpredictable: technology that is evolving faster than our doctrines, rules and ethics can keep up with. Artificial Intelligence is reshaping the battlefield. Algorithms influence when strikes take place, the way of defence, and who makes the call. The right information at the right time is vital for any modern military – but it must be guided by judgement, not just data.
AI is not inherently dangerous. But without moral boundaries, without meaningful human control, it can become a threat unlike anything we’ve ever faced before. Because machines do not grieve. They do not hesitate. They do not understand the weight of a mistake.
What happens when AI misreads intent? When escalation ladders are climbed not by men, but by machines? When command systems are hacked, spoofed, or deceived?
These are not hypothetical risks. They are very real. And they are compounded by cyber threats, misinformation, anti-satellite weapons – all tools that are already being used to destabilize, deceive, and divide.
So we face a choice. Do we allow ambition to outpace responsibility? Or do we rise to the challenge – to innovate, and to regulate. To lead, and to safeguard.
The Netherlands chooses the latter. That is why, in 2023, we initiated the first Responsible AI in the Military Domain (REAIM) Summit in The Hague. We are calling for robust, international agreements on the military use of AI.
Also, as a proud NATO Ally, the Netherlands supports the long-term aspiration of a world free of nuclear weapons on the one hand, and – for as long as nuclear weapons continue to exist – the collective deterrence posture of the Alliance, on the other hand. We remain committed and advocate for strengthening the Non-Proliferation Treaty. It still is and can remain a strong pillar of global peace. We fully support the IAEA’s additional protocol, we urge all signatories to do the same and we call on all nuclear-armed states to embrace greater transparency.
The Netherlands commends the United States, the United Kingdom, and France for their willingness to share basic information about their arsenals. And we urge Russia and China to do the same.
Because transparency is not just a diplomatic gesture – it is a cornerstone of security. Secrecy breeds fear. Opacity fuels worst-case thinking. And uncertainty accelerates the risk of arms competition. Only through openness, accountability, and mutual understanding can we restore trust. And by trust building measures, prevent further escalation.
Also, the commitment in Article VI of the Non Proliferation Treaty – to pursue disarmament in good faith – is not just aspirational language. It is a binding legal obligation that demands concrete action, measurable progress, and real accountability. The Netherlands will continue to hold all nuclear-armed states accountable for meeting these obligations.
At the same time, we must intensify regional and global dialogue. Strengthen crisis communication channels. Rebuild confidence through cooperation. Because without communication, there can be no trust. And without trust, there can be no security.
Colleagues,
In a world spinning faster and faster, in which AI is evolving overnight, in which threats are no longer confined by borders or treaties – we must stand firm. We must stand together. To uphold the Non-Proliferation Treaty. To confront the nuclear threats of our time. To responsibly govern the technologies of tomorrow. And to remind the world that peace is not weakness – it is our highest calling.
The Netherlands is doing its part. We are working with NATO to combat disinformation. We are supporting the peaceful use of nuclear energy under strict conditions. We are helping to enforce UN sanctions against North Korea. We are standing by Ukraine – not just in solidarity, but in defence of a world in which promises matter. And we are contributing to peace and security in the Asia-Pacific, because your security is our security too.
A unique example and proof of successful multinational security cooperation here in the region is United Nations Command, UNC, in the Republic of Korea. UNC was born out of crisis, but will soon be celebrating its 75th anniversary. The freedom our veterans fought for 75 years ago, should never be taken for granted. This is why the Netherlands continues to contribute to the United Nations Command: to enhance peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and in the region.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The world is watching. The next generation is waiting. And history is being written, here and now. Let us write it together.
Thank you.