Conference on Disarmament holds plenary meeting on the P5 process

The Conference on Disarmament this morning held a plenary meeting under the Presidency of Ambassador Frank Tressler of Chile to hear a statement by France on behalf of the “P5”, the group of five nuclear-weapon states recognized as such by the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).

The plenary meeting was held at the request of the Delegation of France to the Conference, the current P5 coordinator. In its briefing to the Member States of the Conference on Disarmament, France said the P5 had a special responsibility in maintaining international peace and security. Given the tense international security context, the pursuit and strengthening of the dialogue amongst P5 members was key to strategic stability. The P5 was determined to pursue a constructive dialogue that respected and recognized national security interests.

France said the P5 members were pursuing the implementation of the joint roadmap approved in Beijing in January 2019, with the aim of contributing in a concrete and positive manner both to the next review conference and to the next Non-Proliferation Treaty review cycle. Given the importance of its work, which needed to be pursued as actively as possible despite the current health situation, France convened a virtual meeting of the “Principals” on 8 July to measure the progress achieved in implementing the P5 roadmap as well as to reinforce the general work dynamic.

This meeting constituted an important milestone of the P5 process in the preparation for the upcoming Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference. It recognized the fact that, despite the impact of the health crisis, work had continued, with the P5’s determination to register progress under these workstreams remaining intact.

The meeting had five key outcomes: (1) the importance of the dialogue on doctrines and nuclear policies had been reaffirmed; (2) the P5 reaffirmed its desire to negotiate a multilateral, internationally and effectively verifiable non-discriminatory Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty; (3) the P5 welcomed China’s work on the glossary of nuclear terms, as well as the possible formal presentation of the glossary at the review conference; (4) the P5 reaffirmed its support to the objectives of the Southeast Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone, and their availability to deepen exchanges with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Member States pertaining to the Bangkok treaty; (5) the Principals voiced their support for a P5 joint statement and side event on the peaceful use of nuclear energy on the margins of the review conference.

In the ensuing discussion, Canada thanked France for the statement, and said it was encouraged that the P5 were collaborating, expressing hope that this would eventually lead to nuclear disarmament; this collaboration and transparency was welcomed.

Japan praised the transparency of this process. The Republic of Korea noted that leadership was crucial to the success of the upcoming conference and the Non-Proliferation Treaty review process, as speakers expressed their determination to work closely together with the P5 towards a world without nuclear weapons; this briefing was a positive sign in this regard.

In his concluding remarks, Ambassador Tressler noted that the Conference on Disarmament would reconvene this afternoon at 3 p.m. in a formal plenary for a discussion on women’s participation and role in international security.

CD21.039E