Conference on Disarmament Hears Statements from Myanmar as President, Malaysia on behalf of ASEAN, Pakistan, Brazil and Finnland

9th June 2015

The Conference on Disarmament this morning heard statements from Myanmar as incoming President of the Conference, Malaysia on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Pakistan, Brazil and Finland.

Ambassador Maung Wai of Myanmar, incoming President of the Conference on Disarmament, said he would work closely with the co-chair of the informal working group on the programme of work for the early commencement of the work of the working group and would also work closely with the coordinators of the respective agenda items to ensure achieving fruitful outcomes. He intended to carry on consultations with interested delegations on the establishment of a working group on methods of work of the Conference.

Malaysia, speaking on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), reiterated that nuclear disarmament had always been their utmost priority and reaffirmed the importance and validity of the Conference on Disarmament as the single multilateral negotiating forum on disarmament. It was regrettable that the 19-year stalemate had prevented this body from commencing negotiations on substantive issues and ASEAN called on the Conference to establish as the highest priority an ad hoc committee on nuclear disarmament.

Pakistan wished to address some of the points raised by France on 5 June regarding the draft Treaty Banning the Production of Fissile Material for Nuclear Weapons or Other Nuclear Explosive Devices prepared by France. Pakistan had been deeply disappointed with the draft’s treatment of the fundamental issues of scope as well as definitions, verification and entry into force. A treaty that did not cover past production and existing stockpiles of fissile materials would be detrimental to Pakistan’s security and regional stability in South Asia. Pakistan was left with no option but to continue opposing negotiations on a cut-off only treaty in the Conference.

Brazil, speaking about the outcome of the Ninth Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference, deeply regretted the lack of consensus on the adoption of the final substantive document of the Review Conference and that States parties were not able to overcome their differences with respect to the establishment of a Middle East zone free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction. In spite of the fact that there was no agreement, Brazil considered that the final draft should be considered an important referential on its own merit for discussion in the Conference and other fora.

Finland said as co-chair of the informal working group on a programme of work, Finland looked forward to working with the President and the whole of the Conference in order to find a way forward with the programme of work. Regarding the draft decision on the informal working group on working methods, Finland had been ready to adopt the proposal last week. While this had not been possible, Finland stood ready to support all the President’s efforts in order to find a suitable proposal to be adopted as soon as possible.

On Thursday, 11 June, the Conference will hold informal plenaries on agenda items 1 and 2, with a general focus on nuclear disarmament. The next public plenary would be held on Tuesday, 16 June at 10 a.m.

 view news item here

[source: United Nations Office in Geneva UNOG]