Naujienos

JT Generalinės Asamblėjos Pirmojo komiteto diskusijoje dėl nusiginklavimo mechanizmų Lietuvos nuolatinio atstovo prie tarptautinių organizacijų Ženevoje pavaduotojas Artūras Gailiūnas pabrėžė, kad būtina neatidėliojant spręsti narystės Nusiginklavimo konferencijoje plėtros klausimą.

United Nations General Assembly

68^th session

First Committee

Statement by the Republic of Lithuania

Thematic discussion on Disarmament Machinery

23 October 2013, New York

Mr. Chairman,

Lithuania aligns itself with the statement made by the European Union on behalf of the EU and its member states. Let me now elaborate on some matters of particular importance to Lithuania.

Lithuania believes that multilateral approach to non-proliferation and disarmament is essential for the developing, maintaining and further strengthening fundamental international norms. Being a firm supporter of effective multilateralism, Lithuania regards the UNGA First Committee, the Conference on Disarmament (CD), the Disarmament Commission (UNDC), the Advisory Board on Disarmament Matters, the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR), and the relevant international treaties and regimes in the field of non-proliferation and disarmament as important mutually reinforcing elements of the UN Disarmament Machinery.

We regret that despite clear calls by the UN General Assembly, the countless other forums and a number of High Officials who addressed the Conference, the Conference on Disarmament has not yet been able to break the long standing impasse and to commence substantial work at its’ 2013 session. Since the successful negotiations on CTBT in 1996, multilateral disarmament treaties, such as Antipersonnel Landmine Ban Treaty and Convention on Cluster Munitions, have been negotiated outside of the CD thus undermining its authority. The stalemate remains troubling, making the adoption and implementation of a Programme of Work more urgent than ever. We hope that the Informal Working Group established under CD/1956/Rev.1 will lead to concrete and tangible results in this regard.

Given the continuing stalemate in the CD, the international community needs to reflect on the options and, if necessary, identify other ways to ensure the progress. Therefore we welcome the initiatives aimed at exploring the way forward, since we regard them as an extra impetus that could eventually lead to the start of negotiations on at least the most pending substantial issues on the current CD agenda.

Mr. Chairman,

The CD enlargement has been an outstanding issue for more than a decade and needs to be addressed without delay. This call is in line with the Rules of Procedure of the CD, which provide for the review of the membership question at regular intervals. In line with her longstanding commitment to the joining the CD, Lithuania calls for appointment of a special rapporteur or a coordinator on the expansion of the membership, who could facilitate the discussion on the matter in the Conference of Disarmament without pre-judging its outcome.

Last, but not least, the UN GA Resolution 65/87 reiterated that UNIDIR should continue to conduct independent research on the issues of disarmament and security and to proceed with the specialized research requiring a high degree of expertise. The Institute is a trusted element of the UN disarmament machinery invested with a unique role. We highly appreciate the UNIDIR's activities in conducting independent research on disarmament and security and therefore underline the importance for UNIDIR to maintain its autonomy as established by SSOD-1 and confirmed by UNGA resolution 65/87.

Thank you.