CONFERENCE ON DISARMAMENT HOLDS PLENARY MEETING, FOLLOWED BY INFORMAL CONSULTATIONS ON ITS DRAFT ANNUAL REPORT

The Conference on Disarmament this morning discussed its draft annual report to the General Assembly, first in a plenary meeting, followed by informal consultations.

Ambassador Taonga Mushayavanhu of Zimbabwe, the President of the Conference on Disarmament, introducing the first draft of the annual report that had been sent to missions a week ago, said that since he had assumed the presidency, he had intensified consultations to seek views on the draft. He was convinced that it constituted a good basis for the Conference to reach consensus, as it was factual and concise.

Belarus, Turkey, United States, Kenya, Iran, Venezuela, Algeria, Nigeria and South Africa spoke in the public plenary.

The Conference then continued its deliberations in an informal setting, at the end of which the President of the Conference on Disarmament remarked that all the suggestions had been duly noted, and asked delegations to submit specific comments in writing. He remained available for bilateral consultations with all delegations.

The Conference on Disarmament will hold its next plenary on Thursday, 29 August at 10 a.m.

Statements

Ambassador TAONGA MUSHAYAVANHU of Zimbabwe, President of the Conference on Disarmament, introducing the first draft of the annual report that had been sent to missions a week ago, said that since he had assumed the presidency, he had intensified consultations to seek views on the draft. He was convinced that it constituted a good basis for the Conference to reach consensus, as it was factual and concise.

It was important to preserve the constructive spirit that had presided over the chamber at the end of the Vietnamese presidency. He appealed to those present to exercise restraint and moderation, so that no party was pushed to a point where they found it difficult to compromise. The presidency would go along with a debate on a more substantive report if the delegates so wished. However, there seemed to be no appetite for a more expansive report.

Belarus recalled that it had made a series of proposals, including that the Secretary-General draft a comprehensive report on international security, non-proliferation and technological developments. This would foster negotiations on a binding instrument.

Turkey asked that document CD/2154 concerning Turkey’s participation in the 2019 session of the Council as an observer be included in the annual report’s relevant section, as had been the practice in previous years.

United States said this document reflected a sincere effort to produce a document that could garner support, and that the United States could support it. However, the United States was not ready to accept any edits beyond technical or grammatical ones.

Kenya said it had taken note of the draft report in accordance with rule 45 of the rules of procedure and believed that it was factual and reflected the work of the Conference in 2019.

Iran said the report should include the Secretary-General’s statement on the need for total disarmament. Political issues should not appear in the report. Discriminatory treatment regarding the Conference’s presidencies was unacceptable. The stalemate in the Conference was due to a lack of political will on the part of a few countries.

Venezuela said the draft was a very good basis. However, the name of Member States that had held the presidency in 2019 should be mentioned. All had the same rights; none should be “invisibilized”.

Algeria reiterated its support for the presidency’s efforts to reach consensus on the draft annual report.

Nigeria said all Member States should exercise restraint in the debate.

South Africa said that it was waiting for instructions from its capital.

The Conference then continued its deliberations in an informal setting, at the end of which the President of the Conference on Disarmament, Ambassador TAONGA MUSHAYAVANHU of Zimbabwe, remarked that all the suggestions had been duly noted, and asked delegations to submit specific comments in writing. He remained available for bilateral consultations with all delegations. The President said that the next plenary would be held on Thursday, 29 August at 10 a.m.


For use of the information media; not an official record

DC19.047E