The 2019 session of the Conference on Disarmament (CD) was inaugurated on January 21st. Today, January 29th, Ambassador Gianfranco Incarnato, Permanent Representative of Italy to the CD, took the floor to reaffirm Italy’s engagement in promoting multilateralism and international cooperation as crucial tools in disarmament and non-proliferation. The current uncertain security environment calls for immediate efforts to accomplish lasting and effective results; in this context, he confirmed the Italian commitment to preserve and relaunch the role of CD after the deadlock of past years.
Amb. Incarnato highlighted the core elements of Italian foreign policy towards the goal of a world free of nuclear weapons. Firstly, he reaffirmed the centrality of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and of its three mutually reinforcing pillars of non-proliferation, disarmament and promotion of peaceful uses of nuclear technology. Secondly, he stressed the need for the prompt entry into force of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty and for the beginning of negotiations, within the CD, of a treaty dealing with fissile material for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices. With particular reference to States’ responsibilities to further reduce their nuclear arsenals in accordance to Article VI of the NPT, Amb. Incarnato emphasized progress made by the Russian Federation and the United States under the terms of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty.
In underlining the need for renewed determination in advancing on the shared disarmament goals, Amb. Incarnato recalled the positive outcomes achieved in the past thanks to concerted efforts and multilateral diplomacy. In particular, he referred to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action as a fundamental step to strengthen non-proliferation and to promote regional and international security. Finally, Amb. Incarnato reiterated Italy’s full commitment to contributing to and promoting disarmament and non-proliferation, and called for further involvement of civil society in the work of the CD.
