CONFERENCE ON DISARMAMENT HOLDS ITS LAST MEETING UNDER THE PRESIDENCY OF NORWAY

The Conference on Disarmament this morning held its last meeting under the Presidency of Norway. Several delegations took the floor to praise the efforts by Norway to try to find a way to break the long-lasting deadlock of the Conference and to express dismay that no progress had been achieved.

Ambassador Steffen Kongstad of Norway, outgoing President of the Conference, assessed that the programme of work was not ready to be adopted by the Conference. After extensive consultations, it was not possible to propose a programme of work which would secure consensus.

Speaking were Iran, United States, Australia, Pakistan, China, Finland, United Kingdom, Netherlands and Ireland.

The Conference will next meet in public on Tuesday, 22 March at 10. a.m., under the Presidency of Pakistan.

Statements

Ambassador STEFFEN KONGSTAD of Norway, outgoing President of the Conference, assessed that the programme of work was not ready to be adopted by the Conference. After extensive consultations, it was not possible to propose a programme of work which would secure consensus.

Iran complimented the President’s best efforts to see the adoption of a programme of work for 2016, which had manifested his genuine intentions. Several proposals at hand required careful analysis by capitals. Iran was convinced that continuing open consultations under Pakistan, as the next President of the Conference, could contribute to the adoption of a programme of work.

Ambassador STEFFEN KONGSTAD of Norway, the outgoing President of the Conference, said that 18 high-level officials had addressed the Conference this month, all of whom had noted the impasse in the Conference and its inability to move forward. Concern had been expressed over regional tensions and several dignitaries had been concerned about the nuclear tests by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Ambassador Kongstad noted the Russian proposal on negotiating a convention on the suppression of acts of chemical terrorism, and the proposals by the United Kingdom, which would embrace all effective measures on nuclear disarmament. In all, 2016 had seen four different proposals, which had come at a time when there were significant developments outside of the Conference, and the General Assembly was voicing dissatisfaction with the long paralysis of the Conference. All members assumed the Presidency by rotational accident, and when Norway had done so, it had had no expectations, but still decided to give it a whole-hearted try. No basis for agreement on a programme of work had been found.

United States appreciated the President’s efforts to reach consensus on a programme of work. The Conference was in a serious deadlock and it was unfortunate that a compromise could not be found to out the body back to work.

Australia expressed appreciation for the manner Ambassador Kongstad and his team had approached the presidency of the Conference. Australia was willing to work with Pakistan, the incoming President, to make the Conference function again.

Pakistan praised the intellectual integrity and energy of the Norwegian Presidency, and thanked Norway for the efforts put in. Pakistan was looking forward to working with Norway and other members of the P6 group. Pakistan was assuming Presidency after 11 years, and the exact outline of what Pakistan planned to do during its Presidency would be presented on 21 March.

China thanked the President for his diligent efforts to achieve a consensus on a programme of work. China was ready to work closely with the incoming President Pakistan on finding a way forward.
Finland expressed its warmest thanks to Norway for its efforts to bring forward the work of the Conference. Finland stood ready to support Pakistan as the incoming President.

United Kingdom echoed the words of appreciation for the Norwegian Presidency. United Kingdom shared the assessment that the time was not on the side of the Conference, which had to start its work if it was to salvage its reputation.

Netherlands noted that a lot of things Ambassador Kongstad had done before the Conference had been very successful. Netherlands appreciated that Norway had invested serious efforts to move the Conference forward. The moment of a critical assessment was indeed approaching.

Ireland said that progress had not been achieved, but certainly not because of the lack of effort by the President of the Conference. Dublin was studying carefully all four proposals on a way forward. Ireland was ready to support Pakistan as it was assuming the Presidency.

Ambassador STEFFEN KONGSTAD of Norway, the outgoing President of the Conference, wished his successor, Ambassador Tehmina Janjua of Pakistan, the best of luck.


For use of the information media; not an official record

DC16/014E