Good ideas spread like wildfire

Anina Dalbert | Reaching Critical Will of WILPF

The Conference on Disarmament (CD) met on Tuesday, 11 June, under the Presidency of Ambassador Mohsen Naziri Asl of Iran, to discuss revitalization of the CD. Statements were delivered by the CD President, followed by Zimbabwe on behalf of the Group of 21, Switzerland, Czech Republic on behalf of Informal Group of Observer States (IGOS), the European Union (EU), France, Ireland, Netherlands, Bulgaria, United Kingdom, Ecuador, Mexico, Syria, Pakistan, Indonesia, Turkey, Germany, Portugal, Cuba, Iran, Egypt, and Algeria.

How to revitalize the CD

Ambassador Urs Schmid of Switzerland listed several options for revitalizing the CD, such as the possibility of a simplified programme of work and revising the decision making process, in particular for procedural issues. Ambassador Schmid also wondered if it perhaps would be desirable to have some more continuity in the presidency of the CD and for the implementation of a programme of work when agreed upon. The Swiss ambassador suggested that a special coordinator could be appointed to review methods of work of the CD and make suggestions on how to improve them.

Many other speakers also called for similar reforms or revision of the existing rules, such as the delegations of Ireland, Mexico, and the Netherlands. On the other hand representatives of Syria, Pakistan, Cuba, and Iran believed it is the lack of political will that is responsible for the CD stalemate and argued that changing the rules of procedures would be an insufficient fix.

Most delegations seemed to be in favour of a more inclusive CD, and mentioned either the expansion of the CD membership or increased interaction with civil society. In particular, the Group of 21, Switzerland, European Union, Ireland, Bulgaria, Ecuador, Mexico, and Indonesia highlighted the important role that civil society plays. The representative of Turkey highlighted that there is still no consensus on the expansion of the membership nor on a decision to nominate a special coordinator in that context.

FMCT vs. nuclear disarmament, again

The best way of “revitalizing” the work of the CD would be to adopt a programme of work and start negotiations. In that spirit, many delegations took the opportunity to once again reiterate their priorities and views on a programme of work.

The G21 delivered two statements, one on revitalizing the CD and one on nuclear disarmament. Ambassador Hoffmann of Germany noted that any references to a Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty (FMCT) were absent in both statements, and wondered if the group has its position. He argued that since CD/1864 was introduced by Algeria, and CD/1933 was introduced by Egypt, both members of the G21, it could be seen as backtracking if the group did not mention FMCT in its statements. (He did not, however, similarly ask if the EU has backtracked from positions of individual EU states that are not reflected in EU statements, especially when those states are acting as neutral parties when chairing meetings.)

Representatives of Cuba, Egypt, and Zimbabwe responded by clarifying that no change in position had been made, and highlighted the fact that nuclear disarmament has been the top priority ever since the G21 came together. In addition, the representative of Cuba stated that the previous draft programmes of work mentioned were negotiated documents with flexibility on positions included, and noted that such flexibility should be shown from other CD members and groups of states as well.

Spreading good ideas? 

The outgoing Ambassador of the UK, Jo Adamson, delivered a final statement before her four years in Geneva come to an end. While regretting that the CD has not been able to start negotiations, she highlighted some success stories from her time in Geneva, such as the conclusion of an Arms Trade Treaty, from which she learned that “a good idea can spread like wildfire”. However, the UK Ambassador still warned against “giving up hope” on the CD and seeking “easier ways” to solve the problems the international community faces. She argued that “feel good” attempts to bring us closer to a world free of nuclear weapons would not likely succeed. Clearly referring to recent attempts to promote a treaty banning nuclear weapons and arguments that non-nuclear weapon states can take the lead on such treaty, she argued that “just because something is banned, doesn’t mean it will be removed from stockpiles.” However, she did not elaborate on how or why a ban on nuclear weapons would prevent nuclear armed states like the United Kingdom from disarmament efforts and stockpile reductions.

Next plenary meeting

The next plenary meeting will be held on Tuesday, 18 June at 10:00 in the Council Chamber.