UK Mission on Arms Control and Disarmament

Recent Activities:

29 May 2009:  Conference on Disarmament breaks deadlock and agrees to begin FMCT negotiations

After 12 years of deadlock, the Conference on Disarmament (CD) today adopted a Programme of Work, enabling it to begin negotiation on a Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty (FMCT).  The negotiations of an FMCT is a priority for the UK and is vital to help make reduction in nuclear weapons irreversible.  Alongside FMCT negotiations, the Conference will hold substantive discussions on other key issues - nuclear disarmament, negative security assurances and the prevention of an arms race in space.  In a statement to the CD, UK Ambassador John Duncan warmly welcomed the adoption of the Programme of Work, stressing that this achievement was a 'collective effort and a tribute to cross-regional co-operation, and to the efforts and determination of many individuals'.

19 May 2009:  UN Secretary General addresses the Conference on Disarmament

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon today addressed the Conference on Disarmament (CD) in Geneva, welcoming 'initiatives from nuclear and non-nuclear states that provide a new momentum for disarmament'.  He called on the CD to take advantage of an improved international climate and adopt the proposal currently on the table, which would allow the CD to begin negotiations on a Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty (FMCT) and allow for discussions on other key issues - nuclear disarmament, negative security assurances and the prevention of an arms race in space.  The UN Secretary General was joined by Micheline Calmy-Rey, Swiss Minister for Foreign Affairs, representing the host- country, and Mourad Medelci, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Algeria, representing the current Presidency of the CD.

4-15 May 2009: Third Session of the Preparatory Committee for the 2010 Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference, New York

Ambassador John Duncan led the UK delegation at the third session of the Preparatory Committee for the 2010 Non-proliferation Treaty Review Conference from 4 - 15 May 2009 in New York.  For the first time in 15 years, the Prepcom was able to agree the agenda for the 2010 Review Conference, together with Rules of Procedure and the nomination of the Revcon President (Ambassador Libran N. Cabactulan of the Philipines).  For up-to-date information on UK policy on nuclear issues and statements from the NPT meetings please see our pages on the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). 

27 April - 1 May: UN Conventional Arms Register

The Governmental Group of Experts (GGE) tasked to review the implementation and operation of the Register met in Geneva for a second time from 27 April to 1 May.  The talks focussed on the addition of new categories on Small Arms and Light Weapons, Unmanned Combat Ariel Vehicles and Military Holdings and Procurement through national production. Please visit our Conventional Arms Register page for more information on the meeting.

17 March: International Nuclear Fuel Cycle Conference, London

In his address to the International Nuclear Fuel Cycle conference, UK Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, set out the UK's vision for the future on the wider nuclear issues, read his full statement here

2 - 6 March: Arms Trade Treaty

The first meeting of the Open Ended Working Group (OEWG) to further consider what an Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) will comprise, met in New York from 2-6 March.  This was the first meeting that allowed all 192 member states of the United Nations to engage in discussion on a global treaty regulating the trade in conventional arms.  A Preparatory conference held in January did not decide on the precise agenda or rules of procedure for the Open Ended Working Group so these issues will be addressed at the start of the week before substantive discussion can get underway. Click on the links below to read Ambassador Duncan's statements to the OEWG.

Goals and Objectives of a Feasible Arms trade Treaty

Consideration of Parameters for a Potential Arms Trade Treaty

Scope of a Potential Arms Trade Treaty

16 - 20 February: UN Conventional Arms Register

The Group of Governmental Experts (GGE) mandated to review the operation, scope and relevance of the UN Register on Conventional Arms met in Geneva from 16-20 March.  This was the first meeting of three scheduled meetings throughout 2009.  The aim is to examine each of the 7 categories which states can report on and to see if they need redefining or updating in light of the trends in modern combat. Read more here

16 - 20 February: Certain Conventional Weapons

The First Session of the Group of Governmental Experts (GGE) of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) took place in Geneva from 16 to 20 February.  The Group was mandated by the CCW States parties to continue negotiations to address urgently the humanitarian impact of cluster munitions, while striking a balance between military and humanitarian considerations.  Click here to read more about the conference.

Policy Information Paper Launch: 4 February

David Miliband launched a Policy Information Paper today titled 'Lifting the Nuclear Shadow'. It explains UK policy in the context of wider challenges. The aim is to broaden and deepen understanding amongst the wider public of this complex issue. Please click here for more information and to download the Paper from the Foreign Office webiste.  Also read Ambassador Duncan's statement to the Conference on Disarmament on the issue here

Opening of 2009 Conference on Disarmament: 20 January 2009

The Conference on Disarmament (CD) opened for its 2009 session in Geneva on 20 January.  In a message to the conference, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon underlined the important role of the CD and stressed the need to revitalise the international disarmament agenda.  The UK Government priority for the CD remains the commencement of work on a treaty to ban the production of fissle material for weapons or other explosive devices, known as a Fissile Material Cut Off Treaty (FMCT).  The six countries that will preside over the Conference in 2009 are Vietnam, Zimbabwe, Algeria, Argentina, Australia and Austria.

Click here for information about the Conference on Disarmament

1-5 December 2008 - Biological Weapons

24-28 November - UK Statement on Landmines

Past Activities

6-31 October - 63rd United Nations General Assembly, First Committee, New York

The UK Disarmament Delegation transfered to New York to participate in the annual meeting of First Committee at the United Nations from 6 October to 4 November.

18-22 August - Biological Weapons Convention

The 2008 meeting of experts took place in Geneva from 18 – 22 August (in advance of States Parties scheduled for 1 – 5 December, in Geneva).  This year states addressed 2 issues:

• Consideration of national, regional and international measures to improve biosafety and biosecurity, including laboratory safety and security of pathogens and toxins.
• Consideration of oversight, education, awareness raising , and adoption and/or development of codes of conduct with the aim of preventing misuse in the context of advances in bio-science and bio-technology research with the potential of use for purposes prohibited by the Convention.

The UK submitted four Working Papers:

Oversight, Education and Awareness Raising: Report of a UK Seminar, 28 March 2008. 

Revision to the UK Regulatory Framework Governing Human and Animal Pathogens.

Oversight of Emerging Technologies: Examples of UK Approaches to Responsible Development of Science.

Implementation of the UK Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act (ATCSA) 2001: Biosecurity Aspects.  

LATEST NEWS

Conventional Arms Register
20 February 2009
Conventional Arms Register

Statement to the Ninth Meeting of States Parties on anti-personnel mines
26 November 2008
Ambassador John Duncan made a statement to the Ninth meeting of States Parties held in Geneva, Switzerland.

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