Draft annual report of the CD discussed
Mia Gandenberger | Reaching Critical Will
26 August 2014
The Conference on Disarmament (CD) met on Tuesday, 26 August 2014, to discuss an advance draft copy of the annual report of the CD. Statements were delivered by CD President, Ambassador Dato' Mazian Muhammad of Malaysia, Bangladesh, Switzerland, Egypt, Mexico, Cuba, Kyrgyzstan, Indonesia, the Russian Federation, the United States, and Pakistan.
- The CD President, Switzerland, Mexico, Cuba, Kyrgyzstan, Indonesia, and Pakistan, took the opportunity to outline some of their comments on the draft annual report in the plenary session of the CD.
- Most states welcomed this year’s dual track approach with informal discussions taking place under the setting of both the Informal Working Group to agree on a Programme of Work for the CD and the Schedule of Activities. However, they also strongly stressed the urgent need to move forward more concretely in 2015.
- Switzerland, Mexico, and Indonesia also highlighted the value of the proposals by the Acting Secretary General, Mr. Michael Møller.
- Cuba and the Russian Federation drew attention to the recent signing of a joint declaration on the non-first installation of placing of arms in outer space between the two states.
- Departing Ambassador Md. Abdul Hannan of Bangladesh questioned why nuclear-armed states continue to direct resources to the maintenance and modernization of nuclear weapons, when the money could be used to address poverty instead.
- The Russian Federation and United States reiterated their positions on matters concerning the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Next plenary
The next plenary meeting will be held on Tuesday, 2 September 2014 at 10:00 in the Council Chamber.