CD adopts its agenda, discusses importance of a programme of work
The Conference on Disarmament (CD) opened its second plenary meeting of 2010 with statements from the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh, Dr. Dipu Moni, and the UN High Representative of the Office for Disarmament Affairs, Mr. Sergio Duarte. After these high-level addresses, the Conference adopted its agenda without any amendments. Delegations of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Japan, United States, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Algeria, Turkey, South Africa, Switzerland, Australia, Pakistan, Tunisia, and Brazil delivered interventions on matters related to the work of the CD and the upcoming nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference.
Highlights
- The CD adopted its agenda without any amendments.
- Many delegations shared their views on a programme of work for the 2010 session, urging for last year’s programme to be used as basis for moving forward.
- A few delegations highlighted the calls upon the CD to commence negotiations on a fissile materials cut-off treaty (FMCT) by UN Security Council Resolution 1887 (2009), UN General Assembly Resolution 64/29 (2009), and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s five point plan for nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation as indication that support for such negotiations exists outside of the CD.
- The US delegation reiterated its support for the work of the CD in the context of being mindful of its obligations under Article VI of the NPT
- Some speakers reiterated their support for a more comprehensive involvement of civil society in the work of the CD.
The CD agenda
After the Conference’s failure last week to adopt its annual agenda, the CD president carried out consultations and informal meetings on the issue. In today’s plenary, the Conference adopted an agenda that contained the same items as previous years. CD president Ambassador Abdul Hannan from Bangladesh clarified that according to the CD Rules of Procedure, especially Article 27 and 30, each member of the CD is entitled to raise any subject relevant to the work of the CD and to present it views on any matter that it may consider relevant.
Expressing his support for this clarification, Ambassador Akram of Pakistan noted that his delegation would use this right under theRules of Procedure to take up relevant issues at an appropriate time. He also expressed regret that some other delegations viewed the position of Pakistan as an obstacle to the work of the CD, arguing that his delegation never intended to block the agenda and that it is keen to move beyond this issue and agree on a programme of work.
Achieving consensus on a programme of work
Many delegations noted the significant accomplishment of the CD last year, when member states reached consensus over a programme of work, contained in CD/1864. As last week, some delegations—including those from the Australia, Japan, South Africa, Switzerland, and the United States—argued that a programme of work should be based on last year’s document.
Ambassador Jazaïry of Algeria, who was president when CD/1864 was adopted last year, pointed out that while consensus was achieved on that document then, the CD needed a new decision in 2010. Ambassador Jazaïry argued that a balanced programme achieved success in 2009 and that the CD could reach an agreement this year, too, by establishing a similar balance. The South African delegation noted that while last year’s decisions cannot automatically be transferred to this year’s session, “past decisions represent important stepping stones that allow us to make steady progress.... We can therefore not act as if the decision last year on a programme of work has not bearing on our work for 2010.”
A broader disarmament debate
With four months left before the NPT Review Conference, delegates in the CD are beginning to speak out on their expectations for this important event and to conceptualize it in a broader disarmament context relevant to the CD’s work. US Ambassador Larson reiterated his government’s support for the work of the CD in the context of being mindful of its obligations under Article VI of the NPT. Turkey’s Ambassador Üzümcü noted that commencement in the CD of negotiations on an FMCT is among the 13 practical steps unanimously adopted at the 2000 NPT Review Conference.
Arguing that the international community needs to “move beyond the narrow national security paradigm that dominated the Cold War era,” the South African delegation emphasized that the NPT Review Conference needs to “give concrete expression and real content to the vision espoused by world leaders that has given hope for a new era of increased cooperation, peace and prosperity within a strengthened multilateral system.” The Libyan delegation argued that peace and security cannot be achieved through nuclear weapons and urged for resources spent on these weapons to be dedicated instead to development and meeting the Millennium Development Goals.
Civil society participation
Following on last week’s discussion about the role of civil society participation in the CD, the Swiss ambassador expressed regret that non-governmental actors were not allowed to participate and play a constructive role in the Conference. He argued that the discussions in the CD would only benefit from a more direct engagement with civil society. In addition, Mr. Duarte pointed out civil society’s role in moving the disarmament agenda forward and the Algerian ambassador also noted the important role of non-governmental actors.
Notes from the gallery
It is encouraging that the agenda was adopted after a series of consultations among delegates and that discussions on a programme of work are taking place. However, it is important to remember that these procedural issues are not the end goal of the CD. The goal is to conclude negotiations on its core issues. As many delegations pointed out today, the CD needs to dive into to substantive issues as quickly as possible during its 2010 session in order to progress.
Over the past few years, member states have submitted many substantial proposals as official documents of the CD, such as draft treaties and working papers. The Conference should spend as much as time as possible discussing these proposals, finding common ground, and identifying areas where progress can be made. After more than a decade without engaging in substantive work, the CD needs to take more than procedural steps. As the South African delegation emphasized today, “What is at stake is not only the continued relevance and credibility of the Conference on Disarmament, but our collective security interests in an increasingly interconnected world marked by mutual vulnerabilities and threats.” With all the opportunities for forward movement in 2010, the CD must exercise its position as the premier multilateral arms control and disarmament negotiating forum. It must, as the Bangladeshi Foreign Minister urged, “press on with energy, dedication and perseverance. We cannot give up hope, because that would be like giving up hope on the future of humankind.”
Next meeting
The next plenary meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, 2 February 2010 at 10:00 AM.