Disarmament Commission                                      DC/2829*

251^st Meeting (AM)                                           17 April 2002

DISARMAMENT COMMISSION DECIDES TO CONTINUE CONSIDERATION

OF ITS TWO MAIN AGENDA ITEMS AT 2003 SESSION

Owing to extraordinary circumstances -- primarily the busy United Nations calendar -- the Disarmament Commission decided at the closing of its organizational session this morning to delay its 2002 substantive session and to continue consideration of its two main agenda items next year. 

Those issues -– ways and means to achieve nuclear disarmament; and practical confidence-building measures in the field of conventional arms –- were initially discussed at the Commission’s 2000 and 2001 sessions. 

[Created in 1952, the Disarmament Commission is a specialized, deliberative body within the United Nations multilateral disarmament machinery that allows for in-depth consideration of specific disarmament issues, leading to the submission of concrete recommendations on the items on its agenda, including establishment of nuclear-free zones and conventional arms control to consolidate peace following armed conflict.  Its guidelines are not legally binding, but they provide orientation and standards to governments, legislatures and civil society.]

Commission Chairman Mario Maiolini (Italy), said that the decision stemmed from “a unique combination of events and factors beyond our control”.  It had been taken following yet another round of consultations with regional groups and within the Bureau.  Having carefully explored all available avenues, the Bureau had been forced to repeat its recommendation that consultations on the two agenda items be continued at the 2003 substantive session.  The decision was being taken without prejudice to the developing countries or to the future work of the Commission.

In other action this morning, the Commission decided to hold the 2003 substantive session between 31 March and 17 April next year, and to retain the agenda and programme of work it had elaborated for the 2002 session, with the understanding that necessary changes would be made if need be.  The elected members of the Bureau would remain in office until the 2003 substantive session. Regional groups were asked to nominate their candidates for the remaining Vice Chairperson positions. 

At the conclusion of the meeting, the Commission adopted, as a whole, its report for the 2002 organizational session.

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*     Press Release DC/2829 of 10 April should have been DC/2828.  DC/2828 of 10 April should have been DC/2827.