Pakistan assumes presidency of UN Conference on Disarmament in Geneva

GENEVA: Pakistan has assumed the presidency of the United Nations Conference on Disarmament (CD) in Geneva, marking a significant development for the country’s diplomatic engagement on arms control and global security.

Additional Secretary (Arms Control and Disarmament) Tahir Hussain Andrabi is presiding over the conference’s meetings on behalf of Pakistan.

According to the Foreign Office, Pakistan holds the final presidency of the conference’s 2026 session and will therefore conclude its proceedings for the year.

During its presidency, Pakistan will steer negotiations on the annual report of the Conference on Disarmament and the corresponding resolution to be considered by the First Committee of the UN General Assembly.

On Monday, Andrabi chaired a meeting of the previous presidents of the conference for the 2026 session and held consultations with representatives of regional groups.

The Conference on Disarmament is the world’s sole multilateral forum dedicated to negotiating disarmament and arms control treaties.

Based at the United Nations Office in Geneva, the conference comprises 65 member states, including all states possessing nuclear weapons.

Its agenda covers major international security issues, including the cessation of the nuclear arms race, prevention of nuclear war and prevention of an arms race in outer space.

Read More: JI stages sit-ins in major cities against petroleum levy, inflation and inflated bills

The conference and its predecessor bodies have negotiated several major instruments of the international security architecture, including the Biological Weapons Convention, Chemical Weapons Convention and Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty.

The Foreign Office said Pakistan’s assumption of the presidency at a critical juncture reaffirmed the trust placed by the international community in Pakistan’s diplomatic leadership and its constructive contribution to multilateral arms control and disarmament efforts.

Pakistan’s presidency will also place the country at the centre of discussions on arms control, disarmament, international peace and security as the conference works to advance its agenda for the remainder of the 2026 session.