DYB2011-Part-II-web

United Nations Disarmament Yearbook 2011: Part II
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and emphasized the importance of the principles of irreversibility, verifiability
and increasing transparency. The Declaration also called for the early entry
into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, the further
establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones and the consolidation of existing
zones, the speedy adoption of a treaty banning the production of fissile
material for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices, and the
implementation of the report of the Secretary-General of the United Nations
regarding the United Nations study on disarmament and non-proliferation
education.
Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Initiative
The 10-nation Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Initiative
(NPDI) continued its activities in 2011. 95 On 30 April, Germany convened
an NPDI second ministerial meeting. The group issued a statement96 in
which it specified that its objective was to maintain the momentum of the
successful outcome of the 2010 NPT Review Conference and to expedite its
implementation. The group agreed to four “concrete proposals” including:
negotiations on a fissile material cut-off treaty, including consideration by the
General Assembly if the Conference on Disarmament remains deadlocked;
achievement of the entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban
Treaty; the universal application of the IAEA additional protocol; and
consideration by the nuclear-weapon States at their meeting in Paris in June
of a draft of a standard reporting form, to be developed by the group, for
information on their nuclear arsenals.
On 21 September, NPDI convened its third ministerial meeting in New
York, in which it reaffirmed its commitment to the goal of a world free of
nuclear weapons. In its statement, the group reported on the steps it had taken
since its second ministerial meeting to implement its proposals. In particular,
the group stated that it had, inter alia: shared its draft standard nuclear
disarmament reporting form with the nuclear-weapon States; expressed
support for the draft resolution to be introduced by Canada at the sixty-sixth
session of the General Assembly to consider ways to proceed with the aim of
beginning negotiations on a fissile material cut-off treaty; decided to draft a
letter to the IAEA offering to share its collective experience in concluding and
implementing the additional protocol; decided to work on practical proposals
aimed at strengthening and reinforcing States’ export control systems; and
pledged to actively promote disarmament and non-proliferation education,
including by ensuring that the first-hand experience of the hibakusha (atomic
bomb survivors) does not fade from memory.
95 Convened by Australia and Japan in 2010, the membership of the initiative includes:
Australia, Canada, Chile, Germany, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Poland, Turkey and
United Arab Emirates.
96 CD/1908.