Disarmament Machinery

Disarmament can only be achieved through diplomatic means

The Conference on Disarmament: the world's sole multilateral disarmament treaty negotiating body. The CD convenes for three sessions a year, at 7-10 weeks per session.

The First Committee on Disarmament and International Security: The First Committee gives recommendations to the General Assembly on issues of disarmament and international security. With universal membership, it sets an agenda of about 25-50 items per year, and decisions are passed with a simple majority.

The Disarmament Commission: Disarmament Commission (UNDC) is a subsidiary organ of the General Assembly, composed of all Member States of the United Nations. The Disarmament Commission is a deliberative body, with the function of considering and making recommendations on various problems in the field of disarmament.

Special Sessions on Disarmament: A special session on disarmament is a world summit, attended by high level government officials of United Nations member states, including heads of state, foreign ministers, and technical advisors, who convene at the General Assembly to discuss and decide upon the best ways to comprehensively and effectively control, reduce, and eliminate global armaments.

The Secretary-General's High Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change: In 2003, Secretary-General Kofi Annan appointed a high-level panel to assess the threats facing the international security regime today. Here, RCW offers a brief analysis of the nuclear policy recommendations contained in their report, "A More Secure World."

The Security Council: The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) carries "the primary responsibility for the maintenance of peace and security," according to the UN Charter. As nuclear weapons pose one of the greatest threats to life on earth, it is only logical that this 15 member body discuss matters of disarmament and non-proliferation.

The Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization: The standing Secretariat for the Comprehensive Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) is also the home for the International Monitoring System. Although the CTBT has yet to be entered-into-force, the CTBTO is a fully operational body, and enjoys the support of the majority of countries.

Missile Regimes : Currently, the two main missile non-proliferation regimes, the Hague Code of Conduct and the Missile Technology Control Regime, are not legally binding. There remains, then, an important role for citizens and non-governmental organizations to play in promoting and implementing missile control and disarmament. Jurgen Scheffran writes:

"In order to increase public awareness, a greater public discourse on the missile problem and its resolution is required. By building a network of information exchange and debate, experts, civil society and officials could be jointly engaged in this process. Activities could include meetings and conferences involving scientists and technicians, as well as protests at, and attempts to conduct citizen inspections of, critical facilities."

Nuclear Weapons Free Zones: Currently, there are four areas of the globe that have declared themselves to be free of nuclear weapons:

1. Latin America and the Caribbean (Treaty of Tlatelolco, Entered into Force (EIF) in 1968)
2. South Pacific (Treaty of Rarotonga, EIF in 1986)
3. South East Asia (Treaty of Bangkok, EIF in 1997)
4. Africa (Treaty of Pelindaba, signed in 1996, not yet entered-into-force)
5. Antarctica
6. Mongolia
7. Central Asian Nuclear Weapon Free Zone NEW!

In April, 2005, Mexico hosted the first ever Conference of States Parties to Nuclear-Weapon Free Zones. See here for documents issued from that historic conference.

Not yet Negotiated:

1. Central Asia
2. Central Europe
3. Middle East

Antarctica (Antarctic Treaty, entered into force [EIF]1959)
Outer Space (Outer Space Treaty, EIF in 1967)
Sea Bed (Sea Bed Treaty EIF in 1971)

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