WANA (Feb 24) – Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s Foreign Minister, who arrived in Geneva from Beirut on Sunday night, will attend the high-level meeting of the UN Disarmament Conference today (Monday). This conference, held at the European headquarters of the United Nations, is one of the most significant global forums on international security and arms control.

 

The 2025 Disarmament Conference began with a speech by UN Secretary-General António Guterres. On the first day, members will review this year’s agenda, which includes topics such as nuclear disarmament, control of emerging weapons, and the establishment of weapons of mass destruction-free zones. Approving these issues requires the consensus of the 65 member states.

 

History and Challenges of the Disarmament Conference

Global efforts toward disarmament date back more than a century. From the Hague Peace Conferences (1899 and 1907) to the League of Nations meetings in the 1930s, governments have consistently sought to reduce arms competition. After World War II, the United Nations made disarmament a priority, establishing bodies like the Disarmament Commission (1946) and the Eighteen-Nation Disarmament Committee (1962), which paved the way for negotiations leading to the 1968 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

 

The Conference on Disarmament (CD) in its current form began in 1979 and has played a crucial role in drafting treaties such as the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). However, since the late 1990s, the conference has faced a deadlock. Disputes among major powers over issues like banning the production of fissile materials and controlling the militarization of space have slowed negotiations.

 

Priorities for the 2025 Session

This year’s Disarmament Conference takes place amid rising international tensions over arms control. Key topics expected to be discussed include:

 

Nuclear disarmament: Reviewing NPT commitments and pressuring nuclear-armed states to reduce their arsenals.

 

Weapons of mass destruction-free zones: Advancing talks on establishing a nuclear-free Middle East.

 

Control of emerging weapons: Assessing risks posed by the arms race in space, artificial intelligence, and cyber warfare.

 

Security assurances for non-nuclear states: Proposing measures to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

 

Iran’s Role in Disarmament Negotiations

Since the establishment of the Conference on Disarmament, Iran has been an active participant. Tehran has consistently advocated for nuclear disarmament, particularly in the Middle East, and has called for the full implementation of the NPT. In recent years, Iran has pushed for commitments from major powers to reduce their arsenals while emphasizing the right of non-nuclear states to peaceful nuclear energy.

 

Given Iran’s stance and the current international landscape, Araghchi is expected to stress the need for nuclear-armed states to honor their commitments and to criticize the double standards of certain countries regarding arms control.