OPEN-ENDED WORKING GROUP ON PROMOTING MULTILATERAL NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT ADOPTS ITS FINAL REPORT TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
The Open-ended Working Group to develop proposals to take forward multilateral nuclear disarmament negotiations for the achievement and maintenance of a world without nuclear weapons, presided by Ambassador Manuel B. Dengo of Costa Rica, successfully concluded its work on Friday, 30 August 2013 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva by adopting its substantive report to the General Assembly of the United Nations.
Ambassador Manuel B. Dengo was assisted by Friends of the Chair from Austria, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Egypt, Finland, Ghana, Kenya, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand and Switzerland.
The work of the Open-ended Working Group was conducted in a deliberative and inclusive manner. Throughout a series of formal and informal settings comprising panels and thematic discussions, the representatives of States, international organizations, academia, and civil society held a frank and constructive discussion on ways to take forward multilateral nuclear disarmament negotiations.
Pursuant to its agenda, the Open-ended Working Group addressed in an open and transparent manner various issues related to its mandate, including the current status of and future prospects for nuclear disarmament and multilateral nuclear disarmament negotiations; an overview of the existing commitments and initiatives; the elements to consider in and the possible approaches to multilateral nuclear disarmament negotiations; the respective roles and responsibilities of all actors; the status and role of nuclear weapons in the current security context; and other aspects to be addressed for the achievement and maintenance of a world without nuclear weapons and the complete elimination of nuclear weapons.
In addressing the proposals submitted for consideration in accordance with its mandate, the Open-ended Working Group focussed, in particular, on the approaches on how to take forward multilateral nuclear disarmament negotiations and disarmament; what could be the elements to address in taking forward such negotiations; the role of nuclear weapons in the security context of the twenty first century and the responsibility of the States and other actors; the role of international law and other practical action that could contribute to the achievement and maintenance of a world without nuclear weapons.
As mandated by the General Assembly, the Group agreed on a report which reflects the discussions held and all proposals made in the course of the year. The report will be submitted for consideration by the General Assembly at its 68th session.
The Group, which is the first UNGA subsidiary body to hold its meetings in Geneva, held a number of meetings between March and September 2013 within the timeframe and resources of the Conference on Disarmament. All UN Member States and Observers, international organizations and civil society were invited and could participate in the work of the Group. The group was mandated to develop proposals on how to take forward multilateral nuclear disarmament negotiations and to submit a report to the GA on its work, reflecting discussions held and all proposals made. Copies of the report will be forwarded for information to the CD and UN Disarmament Commission.
The Geneva Branch of the Office for Disarmament Affairs provided the Secretary and substantive support to the Open-ended Working Group.
For further information pertaining to the Open-ended Working Group, consult the official website of the Group as part of the website of the United Nations Office at Geneva at the following address: http://www.unog.ch/oewg-ndn, or contact the Secretariat at oewg-ndn@unog.ch.
For use of the information media; not an official record
DC13/037E