Reaching Critical Will

Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)

Conference on Disarmament

General Assembly First Committee

UN Disarmament Commission

Special Session on Disarmament

Unofficial transcript
Austria, CD President, Ambassador Christian Strohal
17 September 2009

Thank you for the kind words addressed to the Presidency – I certainly want to pass them on to my P6-colleagues and my delegation.

Before adjourning this meeting, permit me to make some concluding remarks on our work which comes to an end today, but in a sense also starts today.

The 2009 session of the Conference on Disarmament was characterized by quite a level of emotions and I dare say that this is unusual for a Conference that has not entered substantive negotiations in more than a decade. We have experienced cautious hope, followed by optimism and finally excitement about the adoption of CD/1864, reverted into disappointment, followed by frustration, about the Conference’s inability to adopt CD/1866, CD/1867, CD/1866 Rev.1, CD/1870, CD/1870/Rev.1 and Rev.2. The sheer number of these draft decisions and proposals illustrates the strong efforts undertaken by the six Presidents of 2009. It is fair to say that the Conference has spared no efforts in the search for a consensus that would allow the implementation of our Programme of Work.

We have been engaged in intensive consultations over the past months and in a constant dialogue with a broad range of delegations. Still, implementation continues to elude as. So we had quite some discussion in our delegation how to characterize this in two words: is it about continuity and change, or stagnation and progress?

First, let me address our moment of change - the adoption of a Programme of Work. On 29th May, under the inspired, and inspiring, leadership of our distinguished colleague Ambassador Jazairy, we overcame an obstacle that had long seemed insurmountable. We cannot thank Ambassador Jazairy enough for his achievement and we cannot overemphasize the significance of this decision. And while the Rules of Procedure oblige us to take this hurdle once again next year, it should not be a hurdle any longer: We should this time build on the success and progress that we have achieved with the consensus this year.

More recently, while negotiating our report with all of you, we have time and again heard the wish to go back to last year’s text, last year’s language. In quite a number of instances, such preferences were accommodated. But let us be clear: 2009 is not 2008! Beyond this Council Chamber, there was much wider progress, a new willingness on the part of many to address nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation in a comprehensive, ambitious, and pro-active manner. We, as Conference on Disarmament, cannot ignore these new developments. We need to reflect them in our deliberations if we want to live up to the very raison-d’être of the CD: the negotiation of disarmament treaties.

Continuity and change often means that we continue those practices which have proven useful, but it requires that we summon the courage to alter those that have proven less helpful.

In this respect, I would like to commend one experience that certainly has proven to be very valuable, the P6 cooperation. We had Presidents from five different Continents who excelled in their commitment and determination and used all available channels to bring about consensus. The P6 coordination ensured the necessary continuity over the 2009 session and widened a cross-regional sense of ownership for the Conference. We have benefited from the advice from the 2008 presidents when we prepared for the tasks, likewise we are looking forward to our hand-over to the next P6, and certainly wish them well.

Over the year, we have also seen a certain change in the character of our consultations. Our consultations have become more interactive and more transparent. This approach allowed those delegations most interested to directly address partners. In this, it enhanced transparency, built confidence and fostered dialogue.

This year’s session was also enriched by important contributions of civil society to the deliberations of the Conference. I wish to thank the representatives of NGOs for their continued interest and commitment to our work and express the hope that we will be able to profit even more from this interaction.

In concluding, allow me to express our gratitude to you all. First of all, I would like to thank my P6 colleagues for the excellent cooperation, their advice and precious support. This really has been a great group. I would also like to thank the seven coordinators whose substantive contributions provided valuable input for the Conference. In this context, allow me to thank those colleagues who were willing to serve as chairmen of working groups and as special coordinators, if our Programme of Work had been implemented. You were willing to sacrifice your summer and I think I can speak on behalf of all my colleagues, if I thank you for your readiness which we certainly do not take for granted.

I would also like to thank our Secretary-General Mr. Sergei Ordzhonikidze as well as the Secretariat for their valuable help. My thanks go likewise to the conference room officers and the interpreters. And, certainly, to my own team.

Last but not least, I would like to thank all delegations for their flexibility and their support on behalf of the Austrian delegation. We wish our successor of Bangladesh and their P6 team all the best and a successful start of 2010, and pledge our support for a good transition. And to all of us, I wish the necessary courage to advance substantive work, here, in New York, and from the start of our next session – courage to distinguish where continuity is useful and where change is necessary.

I thank you. The meeting is closed.