STATES HIGHLIGHT IMPORTANCE OF RAPID EFFORTS TO OPERATIONALIZE SUBSIDIARY BODIES IN THE CONFERENCE ON DISARMAMENT

The Conference on Disarmament this morning heard from seven States and its President who highlighted the need for rapid efforts to operationalize the decision taken last week to set up five subsidiary bodies on agenda items to advance substantive work in the Conference.

Ambassador Veronika Bard of Sweden, incoming President of the Conference on Disarmament, congratulated Ambassador Ravinatha Aryasinha of Sri Lanka who had successfully guided the Conference towards the adoption of the decision establishing the five subsidiary bodies on the agenda items of the Conference. It was her intention to immediately begin consultations on the appointment of the coordinators of the subsidiary bodies, or working groups. She would present the candidates for the posts of coordinators when they could be sure that they would be accepted by the Conference, and she intended to consult widely on this matter. She hoped that the road that the Conference was embarking on now could lead it to an agreement on a programme of work. Her first priority would be to operationalize the decision of the establishment of the subsidiary bodies. In parallel, she would also consult widely on finding a way to present a programme of work that would meet with consensus. They needed to create a climate more conducive to productive deliberations leading to negotiations on disarmament instruments.

Russian Federation said the Conference on Disarmament was a great authority in the security field, but it was facing a rather difficult present. The decision taken by the Conference last week to establish subsidiary bodies for in-depth examination of the items of the agenda with a view to renewing the negotiating activities of the Conference demonstrated that through common efforts and with a degree of flexibility, the delegations were able to strike a compromise. Russia looked forward to settling all technical issues linked to the appointment of coordinators for the subsidiary bodies so that they could start getting down to practical work on substantive issues as soon as possible. Russia hoped for a balanced programme of work. It recognized the key role of the Presidency in this process and underscored that agreeing on the programme of work was the common task and goal. Russia had made its contribution by proposing an international convention on countering weapons of mass destruction terrorism. Russia called on all delegations to take part in the dialogue to adopt a programme of work as soon as possible. A key priority for Russia was the issue of preventing an arms race in outer space. A speedy conclusion of a treaty on this issue would prevent outer space from becoming a new arena for conflict and would shore up international security. The main approach of Russia on arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation would be set forth by the Russian Foreign Minister on 28 February when he addressed the Conference.

China said that it hoped that the consultation process on the candidates for the subsidiary bodies would be constructive, transparent and open, and would refrain from conflict of interest. Certain countries had particular agendas and they should refrain from them. In fully implementing an equitable geographical distribution, the Conference needed to avoid that too many coordinators came from the same political and military alliances. China would work with all to move the work in the Conference.

Germany said that right now they had a formal decision which tasked the Conference to take stock of commonalities, to broaden agreements and to consider effective measures for the future for all the important core issues of the Conference. This was a mandate which was open-ended upwards. Germany believed that they could go as far as consensus would carry the Conference toward negotiations. However, they needed to be practical and down to earth. What was needed was a well-structured and a well-prepared process and P-6 coordination would be important to carry this momentum forward. The work that they were starting here had to be continued over time to allow for continuity and additional progress and to come towards negotiations as soon as possible.

Japan welcomed the determination of the President to operationalize the decision that the Conference had made. This was a reflection of everyone’s hard work. On how the work of the subsidiary bodies should proceed to conduct substantial discussions, from Japan’s view point, they should establish a more focused agenda and conduct technical discussions. Persons familiar with each topic should be confirmed as coordinators at an early stage and accordingly intensive work should begin immediately. They should seek a way to have the meetings of the subsidiary bodies kept on record. Japan believed that informal meetings should not be only structure considered. Rule 24 of the Rules of Procedure stated that the meeting of subsidiary bodies should meet formally if the Conference so decided. Regarding the relationship between the subsidiary bodies and the draft programme of work, the subsidiary bodies should lead to the early adoption of a programme of work through substantive discussions.

Brazil said it remained ready to engage constructively and contribute to efforts to advance the work of the Conference and welcomed the decision to establish five subsidiary bodies. Brazil hoped that the activities of these bodies as well as the informal consultations undertaken by the Presidents of the Conference would provide an essential contribution to the four core issues. Brazil expected that under the guidance of the President, they would be able to collectively define and approve the coordinators, the methodology of work and the timetable of the meetings of the subsidiary bodies.

Indonesia noted that the Conference delegations still had a lot of homework and underscored the urgency to appoint coordinators of the subsidiary bodies and agree on the methods of work and proposed outcomes. Most delegations wanted to ensure equal and balanced sharing of time for the deliberations of the subsidiary bodies. Indonesia proposed that they ask the secretariat to provide delegations with a calendar of all disarmament activities in 2018 to better arrange the schedule of meetings for the subsidiary bodies and to enable the participation of qualified experts.

Sri Lanka said that the decision taken last week had opened a small window and they must be conscious that windows closed if they were not used. Confidence needed to be built. The decision had been a compromise and many parties wanted to see things to happen soon. All should redouble their efforts and they must be very conscious that they must move rapidly to appoint coordinators and set up a schedule and work around whatever difficulties they had in managing meetings.


The President said the next plenary of the Conference would be held at 3 p.m. on Thursday, 22 February.


For use of the information media; not an official record

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