UN First Committee

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2007 First Committee Resolutions

Disarmament Machinery

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UNGA 62/54 (L.3)
Report of the Disarmament Commission

Introduced by Uruguay.

This procedural resolution supports and reaffirms the importance of the UN Disarmament Commission (DC) as "the specialised, deliberative body within the United Nations multilateral disarmament machinery that allows for in-depth deliberations on specific disarmament issues, leading to the submission of concrete recommendations on those issues. The resolution requests the UNDC to continue consideration of its two present agenda items in its 2008 session, which the resolution set for 7-24 April, and to submit a substantive report to the sixty-third (2008) session of the UN General Assembly.

First Committee: without a vote
UNGA: without a vote

During the 2007 session, the DC's nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation working group made some headway. The chair, Ambassador Zinsou of Benin, produced a paper that was relatively well-received by delegations. However, after nearly a week of additions, the paper grew to a formidable 16 pages, turning into more of a compilation of views than a document of consensus recommendations. On the suggestion of several governments, he resubmitted a relatively short simple paper that could be agreed upon, but was clearly the lowest-common denominator and deficient in disarmament. The Report of the Disarmament Commission for 2007 noted that the chair hopes his working paper "will be a basis for further deliberations for the formulation of consent recommendations" at the end of 2008." In contrast, the chair of the working group on practical confidence-building measures in the field of conventional weapons, Ambassador Carlos Duarte of Brazil, submitted three separate conference rooms papers. The working group decided to use the third and final paper, revised after substantive discussions within the working group, as a basis for its work at the 2008 session.

Although the resolution was adopted without vote, the US delegation announced it would not participate in the vote due to its displeasure over the selection of Iran as a vice-chair of the DC. It further argued "the conduct of the last DC session unfortunately does not give reason for optimism that the current three-year study cycle will have a productive result." Canada's delegation similarly expressed regret with the DC's lack of constructive work in recent years, reminding the First Committee of its past achievements, including "the 16 verification principles, guidelines for the establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones and work on practical disarmament measures in post-conflict situations." However, Canada joined consensus on the resolution, hoping for a "spirit of flexibility and compromise" at the next DC session.

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UNGA 62/49 (L.4)
United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean

Introduced by Peru on behalf of the Group of Latin American and Caribbean States.

This annual resolution supports the UN Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Lima, Peru. It further expresses support for related developments in education and the promotion of confidence-building measures, arms control and limitation, disarmament and development at the regional level. The resolution congratulates the Regional Centre for the expansion of its activities, encourages further work in disarmament and development, and appeals for additional voluntary funding.

First Committee: without a vote
UNGA: without a vote

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UNGA 62/55 (L.11*)
Report of the Conference on Disarmament

Introduced by Syria on behalf of the six Presidents of the 2007 session of the CD.

This annual resolution supports the Conference on Disarmament (CD) and reaffirms its role as the "single multilateral disarmament negotiating forum of the international community." The resolution notes the increased deliberation of the Conference, including structured debates on all agenda items, the participation of experts from capitals, and the cooperation among all six Presidents of the Conference in its 2007 session. It calls on the CD to intensify consultations to reach agreement on a programme of work and urges its members to cooperate with Presidents of the CD in commencing substantive work in the 2008 session.

First Committee: without a vote
UNGA: without a vote

While the 2007 session of the CD did not result in the adoption of a programme of work, the Presidential Draft Decision contained in document L.1 became a rallying point of near-consensus, with only three states, China, Iran, and Pakistan, withholding their support by the end of the session, although it is believed China and Iran would not continue to object if Pakistan agreed to the programme. If adopted, L.1 would appoint coordinators to preside over substantive discussions on three agenda items-nuclear disarmament and prevention of nuclear war, prevention of arms race in outer space, and negative security assurances-and over negotiations, without precondition, on a non-discriminatory and multilateral treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices.

During a presentation to the First Committee, CD Secretary General Sergei Ordzhonikidze questioned the efficacy of a package approach, pointing out that it has not yet produced a breakthrough and that while trying to adopt a comprehensive work programme, the CD has ended up with no work programme. However, throughout the 2007 sessions of the First Committee and the CD, most delegations disagreed, expressing support for the comprehensive programme of work outlined in L.1 and arguing a package deal is the best way to proceed.

After the vote on draft resolution on the report of the CD, the Turkish delegation promised, as an incoming president of the CD in 2008, to spare no effort to make further progress. The Turkish delegate also argued that despite the language in the draft resolution, Turkey maintained its position that the expansion of CD membership is not a priority at the moment and that it should be handled on a case by case basis, with consideration given to each country's role in maintaining international peace and security. Canada's ambassador reiterated its government's disappoint about the deadlock in achieving consensus on programme of work.

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UNGA 62/50 (L.15)
United Nations regional centres for peace and disarmament

Introduced by Indonesia on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement.

This annual resolution reiterates the importance of UN regional activities, noting that advancement of disarmament and security could be promoted by maintaining and revitalizing the regional centres for peace and disarmament, located in Nepal, Peru, and Togo. It reaffirms the basic mandate of the centres to carry out educational programmes that seek to change basic attitudes regarding peace and disarmament in support of the purpose and principles of the UN. It also appeals to states to make voluntary contributions to support the three centers and requests the Secretary-General to provide all necessary support, within existing resources.

First Committee: without a vote
UNGA: without a vote

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UNGA 62/29 (L.17/Rev.1)
Convening of the fourth special session of the General Assembly devoted to disarmament

Introduced by Indonesia on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement.

This resolution re-convenes the Open-Ended Working Group "to consider the objectives and agenda, including the possible establishment of the preparatory committee, for the fourth special session of the General Assembly devoted to disarmament". It calls for the Working Group to hold its organizational session as soon as possible and to submit its report and any recommendations to the General Assembly before the end of its current session.

First Committee: 166-1-0
UNGA: 178-1-1

The mandate of the second Open-ended Working Group on SSOD IV, as set by General Assembly resolution 61/60 (2006), was to consider the objectives and agenda, including the possible establishment of the preparatory committee, for a fourth special session of the General Assembly devoted to disarmament (SSOD IV). It was also responsible for submitting a report on its work, including possible substantive recommendations, to the General Assembly before its current session.

Chaired by Ambassador Labbé of Chile, the working group met in three separate sessions between July and August 2007 to discuss respectively the agenda of the SSOD IV, its the objectives, and the issue of a preparatory committee. Ambassador Labbé issued three working papers to the group, which contained reflections, questions, and suggestions. He tried to introduce new methods to the working group in order to foster a "critical mass of political support for SSOD IV," and invited non-government organizations to speak at one of their meetings. However, no consensus on the objectives or agenda for SSOD IV were reached.

The Report of the working group contained the Chairperson's three papers, proposals by the Non-Aligned Movement on the objectives and agenda of SSOD IV, along with final reflections, and a European Union "security strategy" conference room paper. It also noted that the working group decided further discussion and exchange of ideas were needed. The Report was adopted by consensus on 31 August 2007.

In the First Committee, for the second year in a row, the United States cast the sole vote against the resolution, without explanation. In a general statement before voting on the cluster began, the Non-Aligned Movement argued that due to the urgent need to revitalize the disarmament machinery and to strengthen the role and responsibility of the UN in the sphere of disarmament, SSOD IV is both "timely and appropriate". The NAM also highlighted the substantive discussions that took place during the 2007 working group sessions, emphasizing that in light of "unprecedented threats and challenges" to international peace and security, "concerted multilateral efforts under the only auspices which offer the only legitimate and lasting solutions has become imperative."

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UNGA 62/ (L.24/Rev.1)
United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa

Introduced by Nigeria on behalf of the Group of African States.

This annual resolution supports the UN Regional Centre for Peace and Development in Lomé, Togo. Controversially this year, in light of the Centre's untenable financial situation, the resolution recommends that the operating costs of the Centre and three professional posts, to be established pursuant to the resolution, be funded from the UN regular budget. Noted by the resolution, these recommendations were supported by the conclusions reached by the Consultative Mechanism on the Centre's work programme and the report of the Secretary-General, which noted a decline in voluntary contributions and that there was no "foreseeable reliable source of funding that would ensure [the Centre's] operational sustainability." The resolution continues to urge governments, non-governmental organizations, and foundations to make voluntary contributions to support the Centre's programmes and requests the Secretary-General to provide support necessary to stabilize its budget.

First Committee: 164-1-5
UNGA: postponed

After years of appeals for voluntary funding proved to be inadequate, this year's request for funding from the regular UN budget sparked a great deal of controversy over what had previously been a procedural resolution, commending and supporting the work of the Centre and adopted annually by consensus. Sentiment over the resolution split strictly along North-South boundaries, with the African Group and Non-Aligned Movement in particular strongly backing the resolution. Western and industrialized states expressed strong reservations-although only a small handful declined to vote in favour-from the viewpoint that budget requests should be considered only by the Fifth (budget) Committee and that growth of the UN budget should be restrained amid many conflicting needs.

Nigeria, on behalf of the Group of African states, defended the resolution's funding request before the vote, relying on the conclusion of the Secretary-General's report that the effective, efficient, and sustainable operation of the Centre would be hampered without a reliable source of funding. The Nigerian delegation pointed to the role of the Centre in reducing illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in Africa and its role in conflict resolution and peace-building. The African Group statement also referenced the revisions to the draft text, intended to reduce the budget implications of the resolution, which the Nigerian delegation characterized as "almost insignificant"-$12,000 per month-a tiny amount compared to money spent on arms sales to Africa. The Non-Aligned Movement expressed its strong support for the African Group's resolution in a statement before the vote.

Despite widespread dissatisfaction over the resolution, the single vote against it came from the United States, which forcefully argued that the Centre's budget should come only from existing resources or voluntary contributions. The US delegation further stated, "it is fiscally imprudent to support the commencement of long-term, ongoing UN programs, without identified funding, and we are equally committed to supporting restraint in the growth of the UN's overall budget."

The five abstentions came from non-African, industrialized states Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, and the United Kingdom. Representative of the views of the abstainers and delegations with reservations, the Canadian delegation expressed that it would have preferred for the resolution to request the Secretary-General to provide a comprehensive budget proposal for the Centre for consideration by the Fifth Committee, in the context of the next biennual budget, "consistent with the rules governing programme planning and budgeting … where the full range of budgetary considerations can be taken into account". In the view of the Canadians, such a request "would have avoided the need to draw resources away from the Contingency Fund".

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UNGA 62/52 (L.35)
United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific

Introduced by Nepal.

This annual resolution supports the UN Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament, established in 1989, with its headquarters in Kathmandu, Nepal, and commends it for its activities in encouraging regional and sub-regional dialogue, enhancing openness, transparency, and confidence-building, and the promotion of disarmament and security through regional meetings. The resolution underlines the importance of the Kathmandu process and urges governments, non-governmental organizations, and foundations to make voluntary contributions to support the Centre's programmes. The resolution welcomes the relocation of the Centre to Kathmandu and the July 2007 signing of the country host agreement and memorandum of understanding. It requests the Secretary-General to provide necessary support to the Centre within existing resources and to expedite preparations for ensuring the physical operation of the Centre within six months.

First Committee: without a vote
UNGA: without a vote

The Centre had been previously unable to physically operate out of Nepal due to accessibility and security concerns.

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© 2007 The Acronym Institute.