Statement by H.E. Mr. Mari Amano

Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Japan

to the Conference on Disarmament

Geneva, 24 January 2012

Mr. President,

My distinguished colleagues,

Since this is the first time that I take the floor under your presidency, let me congratulate you, Ambassador Luis GALLEGOS, on your assumption of the first presidency of the 2012 session of the CD. I assure you of my delegation’s utmost support and cooperation during your tenure.

Mr. President,

Given this is also the first time that I take the floor to address a formal plenary meeting as the Ambassador of Japan to the Conference on Disarmament, please allow me to elaborate my thoughts on the business of the CD.  This body has a distinguished record of producing important international disarmament treaties and instruments.  However, the Conference is now at a critical juncture in its long history.  At the First Committee last year, which I attended, resolutions were adopted urging the CD to make tangible progress.  It was also emphasized that if the Conference is unable to do so, other options would be explored for taking forward international disarmament.  We have to keep this clearly in mind when we engage in the work of this year’s session.

On the substance of activities related to the four core issues of the CD, the Government of Japan believes that CD/1864, adopted by consensus in 2009, presents the best way forward. We firmly believe the negotiation of an FMCT should be commenced as early as possible as it constitutes the next logical step to the realization of a peaceful and secure world without nuclear weapons.  The commencement of these negotiations has been blocked by one country on the grounds of its national security considerations. We don’t disregard the security concerns of any member state, but I would like to underscore that the CD’s rule of consensus must not be abused to justify blocking the start of negotiations on the issue that the international community regards as the most necessary next step for nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.  Indeed, each member state can address its concerns within the negotiations themselves.

Furthermore, Japan would like to highlight that the member states of the Conference on Disarmament, which represent only 65 out of the 193 UN member states, enjoy a special privilege.  With that privilege, however, comes the responsibility to the international community of hammering out through negotiations practical measures toward the total elimination of nuclear weapons. 

Mr. President,

We understand that you have made the observation that unless the CD achieves something concrete within the first three months of this year’s session, the focus of the international community will shift to workable alternatives to the Conference on Disarmament as a negotiating forum.  This is not much time, but Japan is prepared to exert the necessary efforts in cooperation with other member states to achieve results within that period.

Thank you Mr. President.