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CD begins its 2015 session

Mia Gandenberger
20 January 2015

The Conference on Disarmament (CD) opened its 2015 session on Tuesday, 20 January. The Acting Secretary-General of the CD, Mr. Michael Møller, delivered a message to the Conference by United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-Moon and updated member states on developments on the CD Civil Society Forum scheduled for 19 March 2015. The CD also heard general statements by the CD President, Ambassador Jorge Lomónaco of Mexico, as well as the European Union, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, United States, Brazil, Zimbabwe, Republic of Korea, Sweden, Morocco, Belarus, Argentina, Turkey, France, and Algeria.

Brief highlights

  • The UNSG reminded member states that the CD needs to live up to its mandate to negotiate disarmament treaties and suggested that the growing understanding of the humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons has underlined the urgent need for progress.
  • Zimbabwe, Sweden, and Morocco welcomed the conferences on the humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons.
  • CD President Ambassador Jorge Lomónaco of Mexico circulated a letter on 15 January 2015 requesting member states’ input on elements of a programme of work and other suggestions for the work of the CD by noon on Friday, 23 January.

CD Civil Society Forum

Mr. Møller provided member states with a brief update on the upcoming CD Civil Society Forum, which is scheduled for the 19 March 2015:

  • While preparations are still ongoing at this stage, invitations will be extended to member states, observers, and over 100 civil society organisations soon.
  • The list of speakers, once finalised, will be circulated.
  • Four interactive panels, comprised of representatives of CD member states and civil society, will discuss the four core issues of the CD, namely nuclear disarmament, fissile material cut-off treaty, negative security assurances, and the prevention of an arms race in outer space.
  • Additionally, a fifth panel on the way forward is also being planned.
  • All panels will be moderated by UNIDIR.
  • An informal Chair’s summary will be published after the meeting.

The European Union, the Netherlands, Italy, Zimbabwe, Sweden, and France welcomed and looked forward to the Civil Society Forum.

Next plenary meeting

The next plenary meeting will be held on Tuesday, 27 January at 10:00 in the Council Chamber. Further meetings will be held that week on Wednesday, 28 January in the morning and afternoon, and on Thursday, 29 January in the morning.