03 May 2017
Información para la Prensa N°: 156/17

The United Nations Disarmament Commission, chaired by Argentina, ended its triennial cycle of substantive sessions with the adoption by consensus of "Recommendations on practical confidence-building measures in the field of conventional weapons". The last time the Commission adopted recommendations was in 1999.

The adoption of recommendations in a complex international context once again shows that consensus is possible with the political will of States, in addition to being the way to ensure that everyone's interests are taken into account, particularly on issues pertaining to international peace and security.

The Commission held sessions in New York on 3-21 of April last. During the closing of the session, the United Nations High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Kim Won-soo, expressed his satisfaction at the agreement reached and underscored the importance of ending the deadlock of the Disarmament Commission, given that it helps to create a positive attitude towards future meetings on the issue.

The recommendations adopted acknowledge the benefits provided by confidence-building measures in maintaining international and regional peace and security, allowing for a reduction in tensions and the promotion of cooperation, dialogue and transparency between States, among other things.

The Disarmament Commission, the Disarmament Conference and the First Committee of the General Assembly are part of what is known as the United Nations disarmament machinery, which is in charge of discussing and negotiating all disarmament issues, not only as regards conventional weapons but also in terms of weapons of mass destruction.