Indonesia Leads 4-Week Conference on Disarmament in Switzerland's Geneva

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia, represented by Ambassador Febrian A. Ruddyard, officially began its four-week term as President of the Conference on Disarmament (CD) until March 15, 2024, at UN Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

As reported by kemlu.go.id, Indonesia will chair the CD High-Level Meeting Segment in its second week of presidency, starting February 26. This segment will be attended by the UN Secretary-General António Guterres, heads of international organizations, as well as high-level officials from 65 CD member countries, including Indonesia’s own Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi.

Facing complex global challenges in the context of disarmament, the Indonesian Presidency is determined to ensure that the Conference on Disarmament remains relevant and responsive. By identifying at least four main current challenges, Indonesia aims to encourage significant progress in implementing its nuclear disarmament commitments, overcome the rhetoric and potential use of nuclear weapons, reduce countries' interest in military alliances, and strengthen the commitment of nuclear weapon states in disarmament.

Key initiatives during the Presidency include holding interactive thematic discussions that will address two critical themes: improving CD working methods and efforts to build trust and reduce distrust. 

In addition, Indonesia is committed to ensuring that the CD discusses novel and important issues, including the use of new technology in weapons systems.

The Conference on Disarmament itself is a 65-member multilateral cooperation forum established in 1979, aimed at negotiating international agreements in the field of disarmament, including weapons of mass destruction. 

The forum has played a key role in the development of important treaties such as the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), the Convention on the Prohibition of Biological Weapons (BTWC), the Convention on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (CWC), and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT).

KEMLU.GO.ID

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