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EU Explanation of Vote – UN General Assembly 1st Committee: Before the vote on the Report of the Conference on Disarmament

07.11.2025
New York

6 November 2025, New York – European Union Explanation of vote before the vote on the draft resolution L.58 on “Report of the Conference on Disarmament” (submitted by Mexico) at the First Committee of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly

 

Mr. Chair,

I have the honour to deliver this explanation of vote of Member States of the European Union. The Candidate Countries North Macedonia*, Montenegro*, Albania*, the Republic of Moldova, and Bosnia and Herzegovina*, and the EFTA countries Iceland and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as San Marino align themselves with this statement.

I take the floor to explain our decision to abstain in vote on the preambular paragraph 11 (PP11) and operative paragraph 8 (OP8) of the draft resolution on the Report of the Conference on Disarmament, L.58.

At the outset, we wish to commend President of the CD, Ambassador Francisca Méndez Escobar of Mexico, and her delegation for their tireless efforts to guide the work of the CD at the adoption of its report and to steer this resolution towards consensus. The Mexican Presidency has worked constructively under difficult circumstances, and we greatly value its engagement and leadership.

Mr. Chair,

Our countries remain firmly committed to the purpose and principles of the Conference on Disarmament and to the strengthening of the UN disarmament machinery as a whole.

However, during the 2025 session, 16 States were once again selectively prevented from participating as observers in this body as clearly reflected in its records. This regrettable obstruction, in 15 casesexercised by Russia and in one case by Türkiye, runs counter to the principles of transparency and inclusiveness that underpin the UN disarmament machinery and has been ongoing for several years. Therefore, we are not in a position to support preambular paragraph 11 and operative paragraph 8 of this draft resolution, as they fail to accurately reflect recent developments concerning the participation of observers in the work of the Conference on Disarmament, despite the broad and growing support within and outside of the membership. By omitting this reality, the resolution risks normalising exclusion and further weakening the credibility of the CD. These two paragraphs do not acknowledge sufficiently this persistent procedural and substantive impasse.

Mr. Chair,

We continue to believe that the CD has a historical responsibility within the UN disarmament architecture. However, it is important to deliver tangible results and operate in a spirit of cooperation and inclusivity. The CD’s legitimacy ultimately rests on its ability to serve the broader membership of the United Nations and to advance disarmament objectives that reflect today’s global realities.

Our decision to withhold support for these paragraphs is therefore a principled position. It is not directed against the mandate of the Conference as such, or the penholder, but against the failure to uphold its inclusive and representative character, despite being funded by all Member States. It signals our strong conviction that its procedures and structure must evolve to meet the expectations of all States.

We urge all delegations to work constructively to overcome this procedural blockage, to restore confidence in the CD, and to ensure that it can resume its intended role as a single multilateral disarmament negotiating forum of the international community.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.


 

* North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.