Pakistan assumes presidency of UN Conference on Disarmament

Pakistan on Monday assumed the presidency of the United Nations Conference on Disarmament (CD) in Geneva, with Ambassador Tahir Hussain Andrabi presiding over the conference’s meetings on Pakistan’s behalf.

Ambassador Andrabi, Additional Secretary (Arms Control and Disarmament) and Foreign Office spokesperson, chaired a meeting of the previous presidents of the Conference for the 2026 session and held consultations with representatives of regional groups.

Pakistan holds the final presidency of the CD’s 2026 session and will oversee the conclusion of its proceedings for the year. During its tenure, Pakistan will steer negotiations on the Conference’s Annual Report and the corresponding resolution in the First Committee of the UN General Assembly.

The CD’s agenda includes key issues such as cessation of the nuclear arms race, prevention of nuclear war and prevention of the weaponisation of outer space.

The Conference on Disarmament is the world’s single multilateral forum for negotiating disarmament and arms control treaties. Based at the UN Office at Geneva, it comprises 65 member states, including all states possessing nuclear weapons.

Pakistan’s assumption of the presidency comes at a critical juncture and, according to the Foreign Office, reflects the international community’s confidence in the country’s diplomatic leadership and constructive role in multilateral arms control and disarmament diplomacy.

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