Disarmament Commission

2002 Organizational Session

2500^th Meeting (PM)

DISARMAMENT COMMISSION ADOPTS 2003 AGENDA

       The Disarmament Commission, in a brief organizational session this afternoon, adopted the provisional agenda for its 2003 substantive session and heard a proposal by its Chairman to dispense with the general debate in 2003, in order to add “real” time to complete consideration of its agenda items on nuclear disarmament and confidence-building measures in conventional disarmament.

Under a review of draft resolutions related to the Commission and submitted during the current Assembly session in the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security), Chairman MARIO MAIOLINI (Italy) drew attention to the draft on the report of the Commission (document A/C.1/57/L.6).  It recommended that the Commission continue its consideration in 2003 of those two items entitled "ways and means to achieve nuclear disarmament" and "practical confidence-building measures in the field of conventional arms".

Referring to the Bureau's proposal to dispense with the general debate in 2003, the Chairman said he had not expected a decision on the matter at the current meeting.  He asked members to consider the proposal and indicate their preference to members of the Bureau.

Nominations of candidates for the remaining four posts of Vice-Chairmen were deferred to a later date, pending further consultations. 

The following Vice-Chairmen, who had been elected for the 2002 session, would serve in 2003:  ALEXANDR SPORÝŠ (Czech Republic); VALENTIN RYBAKOV (Belarus); NARAYAN DEV PANT (Nepal); and MADINA JARBUSSYNOVA (Kazakhstan).  The Rapporteur will be MEHIEDDINE EL KADIRI (Morocco).

In substantive remarks, the Chairman noted that the present international climate could be propitious for some undertakings in disarmament.  Hopefully, that atmosphere would positively influence the Commission's work.  Disarmament, as a general concept, was undergoing changes, which were rooted in shifting perceptions of national security and new threat assessments.  Consequently, the specific goals, which were the material components of disarmament concepts, were being refocused to keep abreast of rapidly developing events.  

He said there were both positive and negative trends in the mirror reflection of the disarmament machinery.  He remained optimistic that the forthcoming session of the Commission would be successful.  The fact that it would be the third and final year of deliberations on its two agenda items created a certain sense of urgency.  Moreover, a solid foundation was laid down in the Working Groups during the two previous sessions.  Aware of existing obstacles, he felt that consensus on the difficult issues was "politically feasible and practically attainable". 

The next meeting of the Commission will be announced. 

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