Statement by H.E. Mr. Akio Suda
Ambassador,
Permanent Representative of
to the Conference on Disarmament
Please allow me to congratulate you, Ambassador Abdul Hannan, on your assumption of the presidency of the Conference on Disarmament at this important juncture. It is often said that the early stage of the Conference's annual session is always difficult. This may be especially true for this year. I am fully confident, however, that under your thoughtful leadership the Conference will find a path to substantive work. I assure you of my delegation's full support and cooperation as you guide us.
Mr. President,
The adoption of the programme of work, CD/1864, on 29 May last year was a cause for understandable celebration in this chamber. Yet, we have failed to implement that first programme of work, the first in 11 years. Substantive discussions on agenda items and, most importantly, negotiations on an FMCT did not commence due to some concerns of a member state. This was a perplexing situation to explain given that all the members of the Conference agreed to CD/1864 and that the procedural documents, which were the focus of the impasse, simply pertained to the implementation of that decision.
Mr. President,
The Conference on Disarmament over the duration of its existence has
played a vital role as the only multilateral disarmament negotiating forum of
the world, and
It stands to reason that the CD must quickly explore a way to start substantive
work. For that, my delegation
believes in two things, firstly we should fully respect and recognize the
significant progress we made last year, and secondly, we should reflect on what
were the shortcomings of last year, which seems to me the lack of multidimensional
dialogue between member states not only in
More specifically, I would like to highlight several points which my delegation believes to be important for the productive CD session this year:
(1) A new programme of work for this session should be based on the achievement of last year, that is CD/1864.
(2) The P6 needs to conduct broad, inclusive and transparent consultations to reach consensus on a programme of work while taking into due consideration the concerns and interests of member states.
(3) All the member states should manifest the utmost level of flexibility to the end of achieving consensus on a programme of work and related decisions.
(4) In this context, it should be reminded and ensured that security concerns and other interests of any member state can be raised, discussed and negotiated once substantive work would have started.
(5) Having the NPT Review Conference in May, all delegates should keep intensive communication with their respective capitals on the situation in the CD and encourage them to have dialogue with each other.
Through all these efforts, we have to make another historic move forwards this year in a consultative and constructive manner.
Mr. President,
Before closing my remarks today, I would like to draw the
Conference’s attention to the Report of the International Commission on Nuclear
Non-proliferation and Disarmament (ICNND), which was launched in
Thank you Mr. President.