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EU Explanation of Position – UN General Assembly 1st Committee: Cluster VII Disarmament Machinery

03.11.2023
New York
Press and information team of the Delegation to the UN in New York

2 November 2023, New York – European Union Explanation of Position delivered by Spain on behalf of European Union Member States at the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly Third Committee after the action on Cluster VII (Disarmament Machinery) concerning the draft UNGA Resolution L.58  (Report of the Conference on Disarmament)

Mr. Chair,

  1. I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

The EU Candidate Countries Albania*, Bosnia and Herzegovina*, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Montenegro*, North Macedonia*, the potential candidate country Georgia, and the EFTA countries Iceland and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this statement.

  1. I am taking the floor to explain our position on the draft resolution L.58 entitled “Report of the Conference on Disarmament”.
  2. The Conference on Disarmament (CD) has played an important role over the years in agreeing on disarmament norms. These agreements have a direct impact on the vital security interests of all UN Member States and must be thus negotiated with all those interested in participating in deliberations.
  3. This year, we have witnessed an unprecedented and deplorable situation with no observers in the CD.  Such a scenario is not acceptable to us and goes against the basic principle of multilateralism and harms our collective endeavours, which the European Union has been honouring ever since. Furthermore, it hinders the effective functioning of the CD.
  4. Although we have joined the consensus on the resolution, we wish to state the following: The resolution, despite efforts of the Hungarian Chair, does not adequately reflect the situation which has prevented 39 States that are not members of the CD to participate in its work in 2023
  5. Russia's unprecedented solitary decision to refuse to approve an entire list of requests for observer status is a regrettable deviation from the long practice within the CD. Such action does not contribute to the constructive spirit, inclusivity, and approach we seek to foster within the Conference on Disarmament.
  6. The CD should grant observer status to interested UN Member States without political obstructions. We urge Russia to follow the established practice within the Conference by submitting its possible reservations to the participation of a UN Member State in the Conference on Disarmament in writing, but without blocking the observer status of any UN Member State.
  7. According to Rule 32 of the Rules of Procedures, “representatives of non-member States shall have reserved seats in the conference room during plenary meetings”. No further decision of the Conference in this regard is required. The Conference can decide to allow the presence of observers also at other meetings the Conference may wish to convene. We also understand that according to Rule 33 “Interested States not members of the Conference may submit to the Conference written proposals or working documents on measures of disarmament that are the subject of negotiation in the Conference” without the need of any further permission of the Conference.
  8. The Conference on Disarmament, while not a UN body, continues to be funded through the UN budget and assessed contributions by all UN Member States, including those who are not members of the CD. It is not acceptable not to allow those States to participate at important deliberations of the CD if they request so.
  9. More broadly, we are very concerned that the CD continues to be deadlocked. We regret that the Conference has not been able to adopt and implement its Programme of Work over 25 years. This state of affairs is not tenable and stands in stark contrast to the significant security challenges we face today, as well as a changing landscape due to rapid technological developments. Strong political will and flexibility are required from all CD members if we are to break the impasse and bring the CD back on track. The European Union has one central aim for the CD: to reinvigorate substantive work towards concrete negotiations. In this regard, the EU commends French and German CD Presidencies in 2023 for their efforts to advance the revitalization of the Conference. The initiatives put forward during dedicated discussions as well as during the informal retreat at the end of June made an important contribution aimed at reinvigorating the Conference and preserving its unique role as the single multilateral negotiating forum on disarmament matters.

I thank you Mr. Chair.

                                                                                                                

 

* North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.