Disarmament Diplomacy

Issue No. 64, May - June 2002

News Review

UNDC Postpones Substantive Session

On April 17, the UN Disarmament Commission (UNDC) decided to postpone any consideration of substantive issues this year. The move, officially described as a response to logistic pressures, may well impact detrimentally on the Commission's status. According to a UN Press Release:

"Owing to extraordinary circumstances - primarily the busy United Nations calendar - the Disarmament Commission decided at the closing of its organisational 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. ... 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 options, the Bureau had been forced to repeat its recommendation that consultations on the two agenda items be continued at the 2003 substantive session [to be held from March 31-April 17."

Reports: Disarmament Commission discusses possible delay in holding 2002 substantive session, UN Press Release DC/2827, April 10; Disarmament Commission decides to continue consideration of its two main agenda items at 2003 session, UN Press Release DC/2829, April 17.

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© 2002 The Acronym Institute.