What it is about

Israel has commenced its four-week term as the rotating president of the Conference on Disarmament (CD) in Geneva. This marks a momentous period under the leadership of Israel’s ambassador to the UN institutions in Geneva, Daniel Meron. Despite the absence of representatives from Iran and Syria, Israel is committed to guiding substantive discussions on global arms control.

Why it matters

The commencement of Israel’s presidency of the CD emphasizes its pivotal role in international disarmament efforts. This leadership position enables Israel to influence key conversations and negotiations on arms control agreements, demonstrating its dedication to global security even amid regional challenges.

Key Details

The presidency of the Conference on Disarmament, established in 1979, periodically rotates among member nations, with each presidency lasting four weeks. Israel’s current term marks its return to this influential forum after a decade. However, this term is marked by Iran’s protest—exemplified by the Iranian ambassador’s exit—and Syria’s outright boycott. Despite these gestures, Israel remains steadfast in its duties, undeterred by these countries’ actions.

Background

The Conference on Disarmament is the world’s leading multilateral disarmament negotiating forum. It operates on a consensus basis and tailors its procedures and agendas independently while considering recommendations from the General Assembly and member state proposals. Israel joined the conference as a full member in 1996 and has been an active participant, recently partaking within the 65-member Western group.

Looking Ahead

Over the next four weeks, Israel aims to foster constructive dialogue and advancement in disarmament negotiations, reaffirming its commitment to international peace and security despite regional adversities. The actions and policies developed during this period will be pivotal in shaping global arms control frameworks.

This story was first published on ynetnews.com.