Pakistan assumes presidency of UN Conference on Disarmament

Pakistan has taken over the presidency of the United Nations Conference on Disarmament (CD), with its representative vowing to act impartially while steering the body's concluding work for the year. Ambassador Tahir Hussain Andrabi, presiding over the CD meetings in Geneva, emphasized that Islamabad's responsibility as the final chair of the 2026 session is to ensure the annual report faithfully and accurately reflects the discussions held, even on contentious arms control issues where Pakistan holds strong national positions.

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I would draw a clear distinction between Pakistan’s national position and Pakistan’s role as president.

Andrabi stressed the importance of distinguishing between Pakistan's national stance and its role as president. Pakistan has historically advocated for legally binding arrangements on negative security assurances for non-nuclear weapon states and the Prevention of Arms Race in Outer Space (PAROS). However, it maintains an objection to a fissile material cut-off treaty that does not address existing stockpiles. Pakistan's approach prioritizes non-discrimination and regional security calculations over the incremental, non-proliferation-focused steps favored by the U.S. and its allies.

The conference, the world's sole permanent multilateral negotiating forum for disarmament treaties, is facing a difficult period. The 65-member body has been unable to agree on a substantive program of work for over two decades due to the consensus requirement for decision-making. Andrabi acknowledged that no program of work was adopted this year either, but noted that substantive discussions had occurred across the CD's agenda.

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In the Chair, our task is to reflect the discussions that took place, faithfully and in a balanced way.

Pakistan's presidency will focus on guiding negotiations for the CD's annual report and the related resolution in the UN General Assembly's First Committee. Andrabi has initiated consultations with previous presidents and regional group representatives. He reiterated that the task of the annual report is to present discussions in a balanced and factual manner, a responsibility Pakistan intends to fulfill with impartiality.

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The task of the annual report is to reflect those discussions in a balanced and factual manner. That is the responsibility entrusted to Pakistan as the final president of the session, and we intend to discharge it with impartiality.