68 years after the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the 17-year-long discussion on a programme of work continues

Gabriella Irsten | Reaching Critical Will of WILPF
6 August 2013

The Conference on Disarmament (CD) plenary on 6 August heard a statement delivered by the Japanese delegation in remembrance of the 68th anniversary of the US atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The CD also heard statements from the CD President and the delegations of Ukraine, Sweden, and Indonesia.

The atomic bombings of Japan

Ambassador Mari Amano of Japan highlighted the tragic event that took place 68 years ago when two nuclear bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the United States. He expressed Japan’s desire to reach the total elimination of nuclear weapons. He stressed the need to increase multilateral measures to do so and the importance of the CD to put an end to its stalemate and fulfil its responsibility. He quoted last week’s statement by the Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida, who said, “As the only country to have ever suffered atomic bombings, it is our country’s mission to pass down the story of the tremendous sufferings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki across borders and generations.”  The ambassador also announced that Japan will host a ministerial meeting of the Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Initiative in April 2014 in Hiroshima. 

Together with the CD President, all the other delegations taking the floor noted the anniversary and expressed sympathy for the victims and their families.

Programme of work

In a continued effort to reach a programme of work, the CD President, Ambassador Mohammad Sabir Ismail of Iraq, informed that his consultations with member states continues. He emphasised that even though finding a consensus on a programme of work will be difficult, he still believes that reaching this goal is not impossible and he will therefore continue to work towards this goal. He stated that he will present a summary of the consultations at the next plenary meeting on 13 August, and that he will circulate a draft programme of work through the Secretariat beforehand in order for all members to have time to discuss it with their capitals.

He also promoted more discussion on the proposal made on 18 June by the Secretary-General of the CD, Mr.Kassim Jomart-Tokayev, to establish a working group with the goal of reaching consensus on a programme of work. In this effort, the President will also hold meetings with the regional groups this week to listen to their views and clarify any questions or concerns.

Last week’s plenary highlighted some confusion and disagreements on how this informal working group would operate in accordance with the CD rules of procedure, in particular with rule 29, which states that it is the President’s duty to present a programme of work. While some delegations believe that there are no contradictions between the potential working group’s mandate and the presidency’s responsibilities, others did see a conflict.

The Ukrainian representative stated that the CD rules of procedure are ineffective, and the short-term precedency hinders long-term processes. He emphasised that even though rule 29 states that it is the President’s duty to draw up a programme of work, rule 28 also calls on the Conference to establish a draft programme of work. He suggested that the working group could perform an assisting role to the President, by discussing the controversial elements of a draft programme of work and contributing to the emergence of a compromise.

Ambassador Wibowo of Indonesia also saw no conflicting issues between the working group’s mandate and the President’s duties.  He believed that this informal group would be worth a try since the 2013 session has already witnessed three attempts by the presidency to reach a programme of work. He argued that the outcome from an informal working group would not impose binding obligations upon CD members and would give the member states an opportunity to openly discuss CD issues.

The Swedish delegation argued that if it becomes evident that the President cannot reach a programme of work this session, the informal working group would be worth a try. In this case, this group should be able to work beyond the end of the CD’s 2013 session.

Next plenary meeting

The next plenary meeting will be held on Tuesday, 13 August at 10:00 in the Council Chamber.