Conference on Disarmament continues to hear statements on revised draft programme of work for 2021 and on renewal of New Start Treaty

The Conference on Disarmament this afternoon continued to hear statements on the revised draft package on its programme of work for 2021 and on the renewal of the New START Treaty.

The following delegations took the floor to support the renewal of the New Start Treaty: India, Norway, Mexico, Indonesia, Slovakia, Algeria, Venezuela and Poland.

Speaking on the revised draft package on the programme of work were: India, Norway, Mexico, Indonesia, Russian Federation, Slovakia, Algeria, Venezuela, Poland and Brazil.

Speaking in right of reply were Ukraine and Iran.

The Conference will hold its next public plenary on Wednesday, 10 February at 10 a.m.

Summary on the Renewal of the New START Treaty

The following delegations took the floor to support the renewal of the New Start Treaty: India, Norway, Mexico, Indonesia, Slovakia, Algeria, Venezuela and Poland.

Speakers welcomed and expressed their full support for the New START Treaty.  They said it was an important step that contributed to the much-needed improvement of the international security climate.  But this renewal was nothing but a step that must lead to additional agreements. The extension of the Treaty was crucial for ongoing work on arms control and disarmament, other speakers added.  It could help maintain strategic stability between the United States and the Russian Federation, which were the States possessing the largest nuclear arms arsenals, and should lead to the conclusion of a broader agreement that would cover all nuclear weapons, including non-strategic nuclear weapons and new types of nuclear armaments.

Statements on the Revised Draft Programme of Work

India inquired about references to rule 28 and the format of the subsidiary bodies, some of which would have to be formal.

Norway said coordination with the P6 provided the Conference with a better shot at fulfilling its mandate, even though the current package fell short of the SSOD-1 (First Special Session of the General Assembly devoted to Disarmament) mandates. 

Mexico said the programme, while modest, could contribute to bringing the Conference closer to its negotiation mandate, and expressed support for keeping a requirement that the Conference adopt the reports of the subsidiary bodies.

Indonesia reiterated its support for a programme of work that was comprehensive and balanced and able to lead to a resumption of negotiations in the Conference, and urged equal treatment of the four core issues of the Conference.

Russian Federation said the adoption of a comprehensive and balanced programme of work remained a priority, and sought clarification regarding the meaning of the discussion of legally binding instruments envisaged by the revised draft.  The package should include in the mandate of subsidiary bodies the consideration of an international convention to combat chemical and biological acts of terrorism.

Slovakia said it was ready to be flexible and move forward on the basis of the Belgian Presidency's proposal.

Algeria reiterated its commitment to support the Presidency’s work based on the previous work of the Algerian Presidency.

Venezuela welcomed the entry into force of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.  The Conference must adopt a programme of work that was balanced and comprehensive.  The impact of COVID-19 on the work of the Conference should be carefully considered.

Poland fully subscribed to the package proposal.

Brazil said that a lot of work had been done in informal negotiations and consultations the last time substantial negotiations were held in this body, in 2018.  This year, bilateral consultations could be held through digital platforms, as well as in-person meetings with up to five participants.

Ambassador MARC PECSTEEN of Belgium, President of the Conference on Disarmament, responding to questions, said delegates should refer to the note verbale that had been circulated for more information on the financial situation of the Conference. He added that the Presidency was hopeful and quite confident that resources would be found for meetings to take place in 2021. Regarding the format of the subsidiary bodies, both formal and informal meetings could take place. He suggested that the first meeting be formal, followed by two informal meetings and then a last, formal meeting. Each body, however, could organize its work as it saw fit. As for in-person or hybrid meetings, the Conference would have to wait and see, as this matter was dependent on the Swiss authorities’ decisions. On the roadmap, the Presidency would consider each proposal. It would seek to take on board as many of them as possible, while preserving an overall balance, aiming to put together a package that, while not perfect, would be acceptable to everyone.

CD21.009E