Romanian Secretary of State addresses the CD; a look at the draft programme of work

Beatrice Fihn and Ray Acheson | Reaching Critical Will of WILPF

The Conference on Disarmament (CD) met on Wednesday afternoon to hear a statement from Mr. Bogdan Aurescu, Secretary of State of Romania. Also in this report, Reaching Critical Will takes a look at the draft programme of work circulated to delegations last week.

The importance of multilateralism
In his statement, Mr. Aurescu, Secretary of State of Romania, emphasized the current “positive approach” for multilateral efforts in disarmament and non-proliferation and supported the role of the CD as a major framework for nuclear issues and for its value for international peace and security. Referring to US President Obama’s “vision of a world free of weapons of mass destruction,” Mr. Aurescu argued that everyone shares the responsibility for turning this vision into reality. He suggested a number of ways to advance this agenda, including negotiating a fissile material cut-off treaty; securing entry into force of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty; engaging in “open and fruitful” debates on the prevention of an arms race in outer space; and approaching the NPT Review Conference“in a structured and balanced way”.

Mr. Aurescu also noted that a long-term success of strengthening the non-proliferation regime would require the nuclear weapon states to reduce stockpiles and their reliance on nuclear weapons in their military doctrines. Finally, the Romanian Secretary of State said that in today’s world, peace and security should be addressed from a global perspective. He argued that is a need for a multilateral security system that is based on cooperation, noting, “it is high time for the Conference on Disarmament to make a contribution towards this end.”

Draft programme of work
Last week, CD President Ambassador Khvostov of Belarus circulated a draft programme of work to the regional coordinators. The draft programme is an amalgamation of CD/1864, the 2009 programme of work, and CD/1870/Rev.2, the draft implementation framework that was not adopted last year.

As in CD/1864, the preamble specifies that the work programme “does not prejudice any past, present or future position, proposal or priority of any delegation, nor any commitment undertaken in any other multilateral fora related to disarmament.” The draft establishes working groups identical to those in CD/1864:

discussions on “practical steps for progressive and systematic efforts to reduce nuclear weapons with the ultimate goal of their elimination, including on approaches toward potential future work of a multilateral character;”

negotiations on a “treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices, on the basis of the document CD/1299 of 24 March 1995 and the mandate contained therein;”

discussions “without limitations” on the prevention of an arms race in outer space; and

discussion on negative security assurances “without limitations, with a view to elaborating recommendations dealing with all aspects of this agenda item, not excluding those related to internationally legally binding instrument.”

The draft also appoint special coordinators to “seek the views of Members on the most appropriate way to deal with” the issues on:
new types of weapons of mass destruction and new systems of such weapons; radiological weapons;
comprehensive programme of disarmament;
transparency in armaments;

Combining CD/1864 and CD/1870/Rev.2, the new draft programme explains that the working groups and special coordinators will consider all views and not prescribe or preclude any outcome, “including the possibility of future negotiations.” The document adds that the conduct of work and decision-making, including the adoption of reports, “will comply with the Rules of Procedure of the Conference, including, inter alia, paragraph 18 thereof.” Paragraph 18 stipulates that the CD “shall conduct its work and adopt decisions by consensus.” The draft programme also adds that the CD “will aim at ensuring a balanced consideration of all agenda items while recognizing the principle of undiminished security for all.”

Notes from the gallery
So far, delegations have not commented on the draft programme of work during a formal plenary meeting. Consultations are ongoing. While we look forward to the discussion on the participation of civil society in the work of the Conference, we hope this will not distract delegations from engaging in substantive work during the first part of the CD’s 2010 session. We look forward to hearing delegation’s reactions to the programme of work currently on the table.

Notes from the world
In this report, we include a contribution from Susi Snyder of IKV Pax Christi and former Secretary General of WILPF:

The decision taken by the CD to allow the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom to present the annual International Women’s Day statement itself is a welcome one. The statement has been heard in the CD for over 25 years, read first by the Secretary General of the Conference, and then, since 2005, by the rotating CD President. In 2005, the International Women’s Day statement suggested that “increased dialogue with and participation of NGOs in all disarmament efforts will facilitate a much broader, more comprehensive understanding of security, one that can form the basis of a windfall of new security agreements and treaties. The stalemate in moving disarmament forward must be broken now.”

There has been a marked increase in the role of civil society in other security discussion fora—including the UN General Assembly, the increasing use of “Arria formula” meetings for the UN Security Council, and not least, the demonstrative impact of civil society on negotiations of the Convention on Cluster Munitions. As has been heard often this year, the CD does not operate in isolation. The actions or lack thereof that the CD takes have a global security impact. It is about time that an alternative voice is heard in the CD plenary, hopefully it will inspire action for the security of all.

Next meeting
The next plenary meeting is scheduled for Thursday, 4 March at 10:00 AM.