ISLAMABAD (special crosspondent) – Pakistan officially assumed the Presidency of the United Nations Conference on Disarmament (CD) in Geneva today. On behalf of the nation, Ambassador Tahir Hussain Andrabi, Additional Secretary for Arms Control and Disarmament and official Spokesperson, is presiding over the formal proceedings of the CD. As Pakistan holds the final Presidency for the 2026 session, it is tasked with concluding the year’s diplomatic agenda.

Steering Multilateral Disarmament Negotiations

During this tenure, Pakistan will spearhead negotiations regarding the Annual Report of the CD and the subsequent resolution to be presented in the First Committee of the UN General Assembly. Demonstrating its commitment to global stability, similar to its constructive role in regional defence and security, Pakistan has already initiated extensive consultations. Ambassador Tahir Hussain Andrabi chaired an inaugural meeting today involving previous Presidents of the Conference for the 2026 session, alongside key consultations with representatives from various regional groups.

Global Security and Arms Control Architecture

The United Nations Conference on Disarmament remains the world’s primary multilateral forum for negotiating essential arms control treaties. Based at the United Nations Office at Geneva, the body convenes 65 member states, including every nation currently possessing nuclear weapons. The agenda is focused on critical security mandates, such as the cessation of the nuclear arms race, the prevention of nuclear war, and the prevention of weaponisation in outer space.

Historically, the CD and its predecessor organisations have been pivotal in shaping international security. Their efforts have yielded foundational instruments, including the Biological Weapons Convention, the Chemical Weapons Convention, and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. Pakistan’s leadership at this critical juncture underscores the international community’s confidence in its diplomatic capability and its dedication to global peace. By leading these discussions, Pakistan reaffirms its central position in the global discourse on disarmament, bridging gaps as it continues to seek deeper economic and diplomatic partnerships across the international landscape. This appointment reinforces Pakistan’s commitment to multilateralism as a tool for ensuring international peace and security.