Italy Takes the Helm of Global Disarmament Efforts at the 2025 Conference on Disarmament
UN Conference on Disarmament returns under Italian chairmanship: Italy has assumed the leadership of the world’s leading disarmament body, kicking off the 2025 session of the Conference on Disarmament (CD) under the guidance of Ambassador Leonardo Bencini, Italy’s Permanent Representative to the CD.
This significant development comes as part of the CD’s monthly rotation mechanism among its 65 member states, marking Italy’s return to the chairmanship after an 11-year hiatus.
Navigating Challenging Times
In a statement from Italy’s Permanent Representation to the CD, the current leadership is described as being set against a backdrop of heightened international tensions and challenges to the global disarmament, arms control, and non-proliferation framework.
The CD, recognized as the premier forum for negotiating multilateral disarmament agreements, has faced prolonged gridlock due to competing interests and vetoes from key member states.
Laying the Groundwork for Progress
Efforts to break this deadlock saw a breakthrough in 2024 with the creation of five subsidiary bodies aimed at revitalizing negotiations. However, as these bodies were established late in the session, they were unable to convene.
Ambassador Bencini emphasized the importance of sustaining the momentum achieved in 2024, stating:
“The expectation is that the tenuous understanding reached then can be reconfirmed now by all the main actors, but we cannot take it for granted already.”
If the mandate of these subsidiary bodies is renewed, they will focus on critical issues from the CD’s agenda, including:
- Nuclear disarmament and preventing nuclear war.
- Negotiations for a potential treaty banning the production of fissile material.
- Security guarantees for non-nuclear-weapon states.
- Preventing an arms race in outer space.
Looking Ahead
Italy’s chairmanship of the CD is set to conclude in mid-February, when Japan will take over the role. With international collaboration as a cornerstone of its approach, Italy aims to foster meaningful dialogue and reinvigorate global disarmament efforts during its tenure.
This pivotal moment highlights Italy’s commitment to advancing peace and security on the world stage while navigating the complexities of multilateral diplomacy.