DYB2011-Part-II-web

United Nations Disarmament Yearbook 2011: Part II
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Indeed, in 2011, the two annual sessions of the Board were preoccupied with
the issue of revitalization of the United Nations disarmament machinery,
particularly the CD. In its wide-ranging discussions on the subject, the idea of
establishing a high-level panel of eminent persons was also broached.
An important development with regard to gender and disarmament was
the ceremonial launching in February of UN-Women by the Secretary-General
as part of a larger international drive to promote gender equality, empower
women and seek an end to sexual violence. Later, in his annual report to the
Security Council on women and peace and security, 2 the Secretary-General
noted that while there was growing recognition of women’s roles in peace and
security, the levels of their participation in peace negotiations, preventative
efforts and other key decision-making processes related to peace and security
remained unacceptably low.
The relationship between disarmament and development continued
to receive attention especially in the context of deliberations in the United
Nations on an arms trade treaty and the implementation of the Programme
of Action to curb the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons. Concerns
were expressed about the destabilizing effects of the easy availability of
such weapons and their widespread misuse affecting both the stability and
development potential of societies and regions.
For more information on the resolutions and decisions related to this
chapter, refer to appendix VIII.
Disarmament machinery
The Conference on Disarmament is the undisputed home of international arms
control efforts. However, the Conference’s record of achievement has been
overshadowed by inertia that has now lasted for more than a decade. The
very credibility of this body is at risk. Continued inaction will only endanger its
future as a multilateral negotiating forum.
Ban Ki-moon, United nations secretary-General 3
Conference on Disarmament, 2011
The year was once again marked by the failure to agree on a programme
of work that would allow for the commencement of negotiations on any of the
substantive items on the agenda of the Conference on Disarmament (CD). At
the beginning of the session, many members were inclined to see this year’s
session as a “make or break” year for the Conference in view of the persisting
2 S/2011/598.
3 Secretary-General’s remarks to the Conference on Disarmament, Geneva, 26 January 2011.
Available from http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2011/sgsm13367.doc.htm (accessed
17 May 2012).