Thank you Chair.

In addition to the statement delivered by the EU I would like to make the following remarks in my national capacity.

Chair, Excellencies, distinguished delegates,

I’d like to share a short quote: 

“Frustration over the impasse [of the CD] has led some to contemplate the possibility of suspending or even dissolving the Conference, should it not be able to "deliver results in the foreseeable future" […]”

This could have been said today. But it was actually said twenty years ago, in 2006, by Mr. Sergei Ordzhonikidze, Secretary-General of the Conference on Disarmament, on the occasion of the 1000th plenary meeting of the CD. I am not sure how long the “foreseeable future” is, but I want to point out that we have had our 1798th plenary meeting last 9 September. All this time in between, the CD has not delivered on its mandate, despite having the resources to meet for 24 weeks every year.

Chair,

This is not to say that the CD is without value or that we should abolish it. But the least we can do is be transparent to the outside world on what we can, and cannot, achieve. 

Because upholding the arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation architecture remains a worthy goal: the Netherlands stands firm to defend existing treaties, conventions and agreements. At the same time, there must be space for frank discussions on what new norms, principles, and rules are needed in novel and emerging domains. 

The Netherlands therefore calls upon the membership of the CD to make it fit for purpose and relevant again. In our view, this includes improving its inclusivity by admitting all observers who apply to the Conference, and to resolve outstanding membership requests, some of which have been pending for decades. What is at stake here, are the relevance, transparency, and credibility of the Conference. This is about promoting understanding, and ownership of future outcomes. And at the same time enriching the Conference’s discussions through additional perspectives, regional insights, and expertise.

Moreover, instead of budgeting for 24 weeks per year, let us, in line with the UN80 exercise, streamline the CD and limit its annual sessions as long as we don’t agree to negotiate. 

This will make us more efficient and will also free up capacity, within UNODA and within our own delegations, to address what needs to be addressed.

I thank you