STATEMENT OF THE GROUP OF 21 (G-21)
Opening of the Conference on Disarmament in 2020
Mr. President,
As coordinator of Group of 21, we would like to welcome you and the presidents who will guide our work during 2020.
The Group reaffirms the absolute validity of multilateral diplomacy in the field of disarmament and non-proliferation, and expresses its determination to promote multilateralism as the core principle of negotiations in these areas.
The Conference on Disarmament is the single multilateral disarmament negotiating forum mandated by the First Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly devoted to Disarmament (SSOD1) and the G-21 emphasizes the importance of preserving it by strengthening the nature, role and mandate of this body. We must underscore the need to redouble our efforts in order to reinforce and revitalize the CD and preserve its credibility through the resumption of substantive work.
The Group reiterates the urgency for the CD to execute its mandate as set out by SSOD1 and also to adopt and implement a balanced and comprehensive Programme of Work on the basis of its agenda, while taking into account the security interests of all States and dealing with, inter alia, the core issues, including nuclear disarmament, in accordance with the rules of procedure, including the rule of consensus. The Group encourages you, Mr. President, to spare no efforts to achieve this goal.
In concluding we wish to reiterate the commitment of the Group of 21 with the Presidency of the Conference on Disarmament and to wish you success in your work.
Mr. President,
I would like to welcome your Excellence Mr. Lazhar Soualem, Director General of Multilateral Relations of Argelia and also, the spirit of cooperation between the six Presidents of the 2020 session of the CD which could allow a positive start of a new cycle of its work.
Thank you
