US walks out of disarmament conference over Syria role
The United States has staged a walkout in protest at Syria's presidency of the Conference on Disarmament (CD) at the United Nations in Geneva. Opinions were split among other states attending the forum.
This content was published on
3 minutes
SDA-ATS/sb
“It is a travesty that the Syrian regime – which continues to indiscriminately slaughter its own people with weapons banned by the Chemical Weapons Convention – should presume to preside over this body,” US Ambassador Robert Wood told diplomats at the CD on Tuesday.
This week, Syria began a four-week presidency External linkof the world’s main multilateral forum for disarmament issues in accordance with a long-standing protocol based on the English alphabetical list of membership. Previously, the rotating presidency was held by Switzerland.
In his speech on Tuesday, the Syrian ambassador declared he would take a “constructive” approach towards leading the CD. However, as soon as he started speaking Wood left the chamber in protest.
Washington does not plan to boycott the four-week presidency but wants to hold Syria accountable for its use of chemical weapons, Wood told reporters. The US will not take part in the five working groups adopted under the Swiss presidency to advance work at the CD, which has been deadlocked for over 20 years.
Disapproval, support
International investigations have confirmed Syria’s violations of the Chemical Weapons Convention – concluded by the CD and signed in 1993 – on at least four occasions. But Syria has always denied these claims and says it has destroyed its stockpile.
Other countries expressed their disapproval of the Syrian presidency. Israel’s ambassador Aviva Raz Shechter also left the chamber on Tuesday, citing an “unacceptable” situation. France will not be represented by its ambassador at the CD, and Britain will not take part in meetings. Syria received support from various countries, including Russia, China, Pakistan, India, Vietnam and Cuba.
The CD was established in 1979 as the single multilateral disarmament negotiating forum of the international community. However, the forum, which meets several times a year at the United Nations Palais des Nations complex, has been blocked ever since the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty was adopted in 1996.
Disagreements between states on which disarmament topics should be negotiated, linkages between issues and the need to agree by consensus have left the forum unable to agree on a way forward. Under Switzerland’s presidency in March, states appointed five working group coordinators and agreed to adopt a timetable to explore common ground on nuclear disarmament “core issues”.
More
More
Geneva’s long-running diplomatic ballet
This content was published on
Photographer Mark Henley takes a behind-the-scenes look at the Geneva-based Conference on Disarmament.
Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter makes official visit to Austria
This content was published on
Karin Keller-Sutter, who took over the rotating Swiss presidency this year, has made her first official visit abroad as president to Austria.
This content was published on
The boss of Swiss Post, Roberto Cirillo, is stepping down at the end of March after six years in the job, the company announced on Friday.
This content was published on
The name and logo of the former Credit Suisse headquarters at Paradeplatz 8 in Zurich's financial centre were officially replaced by those of UBS on Friday.
Outgoing Swiss federal police chief warns of insufficient resources
This content was published on
The outgoing director of the Federal Office of Police (Fedpol), Nicoletta della Valle, has warned that officers, prosecutors and investigators in Switzerland have insufficient resources to do their work.
Swiss university inaugurates Europe’s most powerful centrifuge
This content was published on
The federal technology institute ETH Zurich has inaugurated Europe's most powerful geotechnical centrifuge. Researchers use the instrument to simulate the effects of natural hazards.
Swiss film industry reports successful year in 2024
This content was published on
Swiss films did well in cinemas in 2024, recording over 907,000 admissions, the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) reports. They accounted for almost 9% of all films shown last year in Switzerland.
Glencore and Rio Tinto held talks on mining’s biggest-ever potential merger, say reports
This content was published on
The Swiss-based mining and commodities group Glencore and the British company Rio Tinto reportedly held early-stage talks last year about combining their businesses.
First municipalities begin Swiss-wide plastic packaging recycling scheme
This content was published on
A new collection system to recycle plastic packaging and drinks cartons has begun in a handful of Swiss municipalities - others should follow in the coming weeks.
This content was published on
Despite an ongoing restructuring programme, Swiss retail giant Migros continued to grow last year by 1.6%, posting record sales of CHF32.5 billion ($35.7 billion).
Swiss researchers warn ‘mega-droughts’ are spreading around the world
This content was published on
"Mega-droughts" are increasing worldwide - becoming more frequent, hotter and more widespread over the past 40 years, a study published on Thursday shows.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Is Syria chairing the Conference on Disarmament a UN fail?
This content was published on
Syria, accused of using chemical weapons, is taking over the presidency of the Conference on Disarmament at the United Nations in Geneva.
Swiss authorities allowed isopropanol exports to Syria
This content was published on
Switzerland authorised the export to Syria of the chemical isopropanol in 2014, which can be used to make sarin gas, RTS, reports.
Swiss secure mini-breakthrough at disarmament conference
This content was published on
Switzerland welcomes a move at the Conference on Disarmament to appoint five coordinators to explore nuclear disarmament “core issues”.
This content was published on
Switzerland is taking over the presidency of the world's main multilateral forum for nuclear disarmament, which has been deadlocked for two decades.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.