Statement Under Thematic Discussion on Disarmament Machinery in the First Committee of the 73rd Session of the General Assembly

Statement Under Thematic Discussion on Disarmament Machinery in the First Committee of the 73rd Session of the General Assembly

 

Mr. Chairman,

Bangladesh aligns itself with the statements delivered by Indonesia under this thematic cluster and its two preceding ones.

Bangladesh remains an ardent proponent of multilateralism in the pursuit of general and complete disarmament. We continue to emphasize the need for reinvigorating the UN Disarmament Machinery to add further impetus to inter-governmental  negotiations on outstanding disarmament and non-proliferation Issues.

 

We share frustration and concerns over the continued failure of the Conference on Disarmament (CD), the sole multilateral disarmament negotiating forum, to reach agreement on its Programme of Work. This should not be allowed to become the status quo. If history is any guide, the prevailing tension in the international security environment should create impetus for breathing fresh lease of life into CD’s work.

In this context, we appreciate the modest progress made in the work of the UN Disarmament Commission as the chief deliberative body on disarmament issues. We also draw inspiration from one decisive step taken towards the possibility of convening the much-anticipated Fourth Special Session of the General Assembly devoted to Disarmament (SSOD-IV). The Secretary General’s Agenda for Disarmament should generate motivation for reviewing and reinforcing the UN Disarmament Machinery in light of current and emerging challenges.

 

Bangladesh supports continuous review of the First Committee’s working methods to make its proceedings better attuned to the evolving imperatives in the disarmament and non-proliferation agenda. There is perhaps a need for an objective assessment of the number and subject of existing Resolutions under the Committee, with a view to avoiding duplication and overlapping. We take due note of Germany’s decision to withdraw its Resolution on practical disarmament measures from next year and encourage similar consideration by others.

The Secretary General’s report on current developments in science and technology and their potential impact on international security and disarmament efforts offers a portfolio of issues on which the UN Disarmament Machinery, including this Committee, should progressively engage with. It is critical that we rise above the mindsets and modus operandi from previous century to keep the UN and its disarmament tools and mechanisms relevant in response to the forthcoming challenges of our time and beyond.

This year, our delegation has flagged its particular interest in further progress in developing a set of internationally agreed norms for regulating responsible behavior in cyber space. We have underscored the need for factoring in the voices and concerns of developing countries in the process. We can and would expect the proponents of multiple initiatives at this Committee this year to still make efforts to work together to face off a threat that none of us is immune from in a hyper-connected world. Bangladesh enlists its support for implementing Secretary General’s related action points under his Disarmament Agenda.

Bangladesh recognizes the critical importance of regional disarmament and security initiatives in the maintenance of international peace and security. We thank UNRCPD on enhancing women’s role and participation in disarmament and international security.

Bangladesh wishes to put on record its appreciation for the continued useful work being done by UN Institute for Disarmament Research ( UNIDIR), and stresses the need for ensuring enhanced and predictable resources for the institute to deliver on its mandates. We also recognize the useful learning resources developed by the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs   (UNODA).

 

I thank you.