Reaching Critical Will

Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)

Conference on Disarmament

General Assembly First Committee

UN Disarmament Commission

Special Session on Disarmament

Closing Remarks by Rotating President, Ambassador German Mundarain Hernandez of Venezuela to the Conference on Disarmament 9th September 2008

Unofficial Transcript

It is customary in this type of activities to make a statement. what I do is I would really extend my greetings because this is a time for satisfaction as we come to the end of our work, this is an opportunity for expressing appreciation and thanks especially when so far as our work has been a group effort and in particular, I would like to thank the P6, they provided every cooperation and made their experience available to this office. To the 7 coordinators with their substantive contributions, they provided support for the Conference. To the regional coordinators, they served as a linkage with the various groups. Mr Ordzhonikidze, who exercised his authority and his comments were always appropriate and timely. His concern fro the advancement of the Conference is clear and I would like to thank the entire secretariat, particularly Mr Tim Cauley, he made all the wealth of his knowledge available to the efforts to achieve consensus, for the young officers in the room, the interpreters in the rooms, may I express my thanks on behalf of the delegation of Venezuela.

I have listened carefully to the statements made to this room today. Some of them were conceptual based, some very generous, some expressed a great deal of satisfaction and all were very generous to us and this encourages us to continue our work which is that facilitating consensus in this forum. When we assumed this responsibility, one of our first tasks was to determine the nature of this place and we said in our initial statement that this was a plural and diverse forum and I imagine that for many years that it will be diverse and pluralistic. I particularly aspire to a diverse and pluralistic world.

Identifying our objectives was another of our task, the President o the last session has the responsibility of proposing negotiations, it was for the Conference to approve report of 2008 for submission to GA.

It was also important to determine our style, as you are aware in the diplomatic word, form is as important as substance. And form that gives rise to confidence is one that calls for dialogue, a broad approach, extensive consultations, exclusiveness of all, a great deal of transparency and above all, something that has always been a constant requirement, flexibility. And we acted accordingly as we were convince that this was our task and the commitment of all of us here, indeed, the aim is to strengthen the international legal order in arms control and that’s why we’re acting as we do and we do so in order to contribute to international peace and security.

Today, we are concluding the main task entrusted to us. I cannot fail to express at the same time my concern in many of statements we have heard today and during the conference as well, we have heard what is in fact our major concern, it is indispensable that we come up with a concrete Program of Work and I would express the wish that 2009 with greater efforts even than we have made this year, we will be able to achieve that goal.

This opportunity was one for the entire delegation of Venezuela to acquire some modest experience which we are now making available to the next President. I would like to pass on what was passed onto us, not out of reciprocity but I do believe that the objectives of the conference require this.

I would conclude not speaking about disarmament issues but rather I would like to talk about human qualities of those present here and of what I sensed of the many meetings involving formal and informal consultations. I go tot know a large numbers of representatives of countries and I must acknowledge their great humanity, their sincerity, the support they gave me, all of that has made me a very happy person.’

Thank you.