04 September 2014
Blog on leave
We have temporarily retired this blog. For the latest information from Reaching Critical Will, please check our website at www.reachingcriticalwill.org!
12 June 2013
Nuclear disarmament panorama: an assessment
by Sergio Duarte
A familiar pattern seen in multilateral disarmament efforts, prevalent since the mid 1990s, also seems to have established itself in the review process of the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). Commenting on the result of the Second Session of the Preparatory Committee for the NPT 2015 Review Conference, last May, an assiduous and perceptive observer wrote: “This is a typical outcome of NPT meetings, because the review cycle is a process that favors the status quo by pitting possible forward momentum against maintaining the ‘stability’ of the ‘regime’. But this status quo is seen as increasingly untenable to the majority of states parties”. A similar assessment can be made about the multilateral nuclear disarmament process as a whole.
A familiar pattern seen in multilateral disarmament efforts, prevalent since the mid 1990s, also seems to have established itself in the review process of the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). Commenting on the result of the Second Session of the Preparatory Committee for the NPT 2015 Review Conference, last May, an assiduous and perceptive observer wrote: “This is a typical outcome of NPT meetings, because the review cycle is a process that favors the status quo by pitting possible forward momentum against maintaining the ‘stability’ of the ‘regime’. But this status quo is seen as increasingly untenable to the majority of states parties”. A similar assessment can be made about the multilateral nuclear disarmament process as a whole.
21 April 2013
UN Disarmament Commission concludes without consensus recommendations
by Katherine Prizeman, Global Action to Prevent War
The UN Disarmament Commission (UNDC) concluded the second year in its three-year cycle on Friday, 19 April. Much of the discourse during the concluding plenary had a positive tone, with delegations noting that the work done in the 2013 substantive session will “set the stage” for progress next year. In his concluding remarks, Chair Ambassador Christopher Grima of Malta called the three-week session “productive” and rich in discussion. Still, it is discouraging that the session could not come to more concrete conclusions.
The UN Disarmament Commission (UNDC) concluded the second year in its three-year cycle on Friday, 19 April. Much of the discourse during the concluding plenary had a positive tone, with delegations noting that the work done in the 2013 substantive session will “set the stage” for progress next year. In his concluding remarks, Chair Ambassador Christopher Grima of Malta called the three-week session “productive” and rich in discussion. Still, it is discouraging that the session could not come to more concrete conclusions.
20 April 2013
Memory lane
by Dr. Robert Zuber, Global Action to Prevent War
Among the proposals emerging from this year's session of the UN Disarmament Commission (UNDC), there were two that particularly caught our eye. The Swiss proposals presented during the opening exchange of views calling for more involvement by experts in the work of the UNDC is one that Global Action to Prevent War and Armed Conflict (GAPW) has discussed in other commentary and fully supports in practice.
Among the proposals emerging from this year's session of the UN Disarmament Commission (UNDC), there were two that particularly caught our eye. The Swiss proposals presented during the opening exchange of views calling for more involvement by experts in the work of the UNDC is one that Global Action to Prevent War and Armed Conflict (GAPW) has discussed in other commentary and fully supports in practice.
10 April 2013
Building blocks
by Dr. Robert Zuber, Global Action to Prevent War
The general exchange of views at this years’ UN Disarmament Commission (UNDC) put on display a mixture of post-Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) negotiating fatigue, a bit of bellicose rhetoric, and a certain resignation that outcomes for this year’s substantive session were unlikely to be more noteworthy than previous years.
The general exchange of views at this years’ UN Disarmament Commission (UNDC) put on display a mixture of post-Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) negotiating fatigue, a bit of bellicose rhetoric, and a certain resignation that outcomes for this year’s substantive session were unlikely to be more noteworthy than previous years.
04 April 2013
Opening of the 2013 session of the UN Disarmament Commission: Time for substantive recommendations
by Katherine Prizeman, Global Action to Prevent War
On Monday, the UN Disarmament Commission (UNDC) opened its annual substantive session. The forum, which enjoys universal membership and is often referred to as the UN’s “disarmament think tank,” is surrounded by much anxiety about its ability to garner a consensus outcome before the end of its three-week session.
On Monday, the UN Disarmament Commission (UNDC) opened its annual substantive session. The forum, which enjoys universal membership and is often referred to as the UN’s “disarmament think tank,” is surrounded by much anxiety about its ability to garner a consensus outcome before the end of its three-week session.
08 October 2012
Direct action at First Committee
by Ray Acheson, Reaching Critical Will of WILPF
First Committee is set to begin once again in the midst of dynamic and dangerous times. The relevance of its mandate, disarmament and international security, is as pressing as ever. Looking around the world today one can see mounting regional and international tensions, civil wars and revolutions, increasing armed violence, and, overshadowing us all, the threat of nuclear weapons. High levels of military spending, weapons production, trade, and stockpiling, and armed conflict undermine the key objective of the United Nations: preserving international peace and security. Yet one can also see many examples of ordinary people trying to rein back the violence, overcome militarism, and achieve peace.
First Committee is set to begin once again in the midst of dynamic and dangerous times. The relevance of its mandate, disarmament and international security, is as pressing as ever. Looking around the world today one can see mounting regional and international tensions, civil wars and revolutions, increasing armed violence, and, overshadowing us all, the threat of nuclear weapons. High levels of military spending, weapons production, trade, and stockpiling, and armed conflict undermine the key objective of the United Nations: preserving international peace and security. Yet one can also see many examples of ordinary people trying to rein back the violence, overcome militarism, and achieve peace.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
