DYB2011-Part-II-web

Related issues, including information and outreach
Nigeria, on behalf of the African Group, aligned itself with the statement
of the NAM. It called for the total elimination of nuclear weapons in a
transparent, verifiable and irreversible manner and advocated unconditional
negative security assurances in a legally binding instrument. Nigeria also
called for the early entry into force of the CTBT, the ratification of the
Pelindaba Treaty protocols38 by all the nuclear Powers and more effective
implementation of the United Nations Programme of Action on the illicit trade
in small arms and light weapons.
Brazil maintained that the nuclear deterrence concept, created during
the cold war, had lost its strategic significance and was no longer crucial for
military purposes and that the time was ripe to begin negotiations to eliminate
nuclear weapons. Until such time, it advocated negative security assurances
to non-nuclear-weapon States. It also supported negotiations for a verifiable
FMCT. Brazil wanted the proposed declaration of the fourth disarmament
decade to include the holding of a fourth special session on disarmament and
also relevant issues in the field of conventional weapons, including practical
confidence-building measures.
Pakistan, aligning itself with the NAM, expressed concern over the
widening gap between the major Powers and smaller States resulting from the
development of anti-ballistic missile systems, militarization of outer space,
build-up of conventional forces by the major Powers, and the erosion of
nuclear security assurances for non-nuclear-weapon States. It also maintained
that no State could be expected to engage in disarmament, arms control or
non-proliferation negotiations if those negotiations undermined its core
security interests.
Report of the Commission (A/66/42)
At its organizational session held on 28 March, the UNDC adopted the
agenda39 for its 2011 substantive session, and in accordance with that decision,
it established three working groups to carry out its substantive work.
Working Group I was given the mandate to deal with agenda item
4 entitled “Recommendations for achieving the objective of nuclear
disarmament and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons”. It was chaired by
Knut Langeland (Norway) and held seven meetings from 7 to 14 April.
The Commission entrusted Working Group II with the task of dealing
with agenda item 5 entitled “Elements of a draft declaration of the 2010s as
the fourth disarmament decade”. It was chaired by Kayode Laro (Nigeria) and
seven meetings were held, on 6 April and from 8 to 14 April.
Working Group III was allocated agenda item 6 entitled “Practical
confidence-building measures in the field of conventional weapons”. It was
38 Ibid.
39 A/CN.10/L.65.
167