We use Google Analytics to learn more about who is reading the resources on our website. Please read Google Analytics privacy policy for further information. Close

logo_reaching-critical-will

Geneva NGO Committee for Disarmament delivers statement to the CD

During Tuesday’s plenary meeting, the new ambassador of Belarus addressed the Conference on Disarmament (CD). Canada’s ambassador announced the release of a report on UNIDIR’s latest space security seminar. After these two interventions, the CD president called for an “open informal,” during which the president of the Geneva NGO Committee for Disarmament delivered a statement. Other NGO representatives were allowed to remain in the gallery but the meeting was considered off-the-record. The presentation drew comments from representatives of Canada, Algeria, the Philippines, Portugal, Norway, Mexico, and Indonesia.

Brief highlights
The president of the Geneva NGO Committee for Disarmament delivered a statement to an “open informal” meeting of the CD, pursuant to the 2004 decision that a civil society representative would address the Conference after it adopted its programme of work.

Several delegations welcomed the NGO participation and expressed their hope that more engagement would be possible in the future.

A few delegations called for orientation or training of delegations in regards to the work of the CD and its core issues.

Work of the CD
Ambassador Khvostov of Belarus, who will be one of the six rotating presidents of next year’s Conference, delivered his first intervention. He noted that the leadership in his country “decided to give up without any preconditions the right to possess nuclear weapons,” which Belarus had inherited from the Soviet Union. Ambassador Khvostov expressed his mixed feelings about the work of the CD this year, praising its adoption of a programme of work but noting frustration with its inability to implement it. He argued it is the responsibility of the Conference to implements its decisions and the relevant resolutions of the General Assembly.

UNIDIR’s space security seminar
Ambassador Grinius of Canada introduced the report from UNIDIR’s space security seminar, ““Moving towards a safer space environment”. The seminar was organised by UNIDIR with support from the governments of the People’s Republic of China, the Russian Federation, and Canada, as well as from the Secure World Foundation and the Simon’s Foundation. The report will be issued as an official CD document.

NGO Statement
Susi Snyder of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom delivered the NGO statement as president of the Geneva NGO Committee for Disarmament. She outlined several recent civil society contributions to the four core issues of the CD. For example, she pointed out that two NGOs—the International Panel on Fissile Materials (IPFM) and Greenpeace International—have submitted model fissile material treaties and that IPFM and the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute held seminars this year on the topic. Ms. Snyder also outlined suggestions by civil society actors towards preventing the weaponization of outer space, including a treaty banning space debris-causing weapons, a treaty on common security in outer space, and a space preservation treaty. Regarding negative security assurances, Ms. Snyder pointed to the framework elaborated by Dr. Rebecca Johnson of the Acronym Institute for Disarmament Diplomacy, that the use of nuclear weapons should be declared and codified as a crime against humanity. Finally, for nuclear disarmament, Ms. Snyder pointed to the model Nuclear Weapons Convention.

Reactions to the presentation
The representatives of Canada, the Philippines, Portugal, Mexico, Norway, and Indonesia, welcomed the NGO statement and expressed hope that similar presentations would be allowed in the future. Algerian Ambassador Jazaïry also welcomed the statement and asked for a written copy. Mexican Ambassador Oliver noted that UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is currently in Mexico City to inaugurate the annual UN Department of Public Information-NGO conference, “For Peace and Development: Disarm Now!”

The representatives of the Philippines, Portugal, and Norway also requested that the CD Secretariat and UNIDIR consider holding an orientation and training for delegates about the CD and its programme of work. Deputy Representative Skorpen of Norway noted, “this is where the NGOs really have an important added value; to help us see issues from different perspectives and in a broader perspective.”

Notes from the gallery
WILPF welcomes the opportunity for NGOs to participate in today’s CD meeting and hopes that other civil society actors will be given the opportunity to engage with the Conference in the future. WILPF has been working at and with the United Nations since its inception and is deeply committed to solving the challenges facing the world today, not least of all the challenges of disarmament and arms control. Reaching Critical Will’s Director Ray Acheson is currently in Mexico City to attend and address the conference mentioned by the Mexican ambassador. Reaching Critical Will representatives will also attend and monitor the upcoming Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Entry Into Force Conference and the UNGA First Committee on Disarmament and International Security. The First Committee has moved towards greater inclusiveness and engagement with civil society, each year setting aside time for presentations by NGOs on relevant issues.

In the interest of providing background information for both delegations and civil society actors, Reaching Critical Will puts out a variety of publications throughout the year. One that might be of interest to CD delegations is Reaching Critical Will’s Guide to the CD, which is beneficial to those who follow many different fora in their work. The Guide is available in both PDF and HTML. We also provide basic information about the CD’s four core issues and more.

- Ray Acheson, Reaching Critical Will of WILPF