DISARMAMENT COMMISSION APPROVES PROVISIONAL AGENDA, ELECTS FIVE MEMBERS OF ITS BUREAU

Press Release
DC/2599

DISARMAMENT COMMISSION APPROVES PROVISIONAL AGENDA, ELECTS FIVE MEMBERS OF ITS BUREAU

At an organizational meeting this morning, the Disarmament Commission approved the provisional agenda for its forthcoming session, to be held from 6 to 28 April, and elected five members of its Bureau.

The officers elected were Sergei Martinov (Belarus), Chairman; Emilio Izquirerdo (Ecuador), Fernando Guillen (Peru) and Michael Hoey (Ireland), Vice-Chairmen; and Vice Skacic (Croatia), Rapporteur. The seats of five Vice-Chairmen remain to be filled.

During its session, the Commission will establish working groups to address three key areas in the disarmament sphere: the establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones, the forthcoming fourth special session of the General Assembly on disarmament, and guidelines on conventional arms control, limitation and disarmament.

Following approval of the provisional agenda, the representatives of Greece, the Russian Federation and Belarus expressed regret that the Commission had scheduled meetings on Friday, 17 April, which Orthodox Christians regard as a holy day.

The Disarmament Commission will meet again at a date to be announced in the Journal to elect the remaining members of its Bureau and the Chairmen of its three working groups.

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