ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has assumed the presidency of the United Nations Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, securing a prominent role in shaping international deliberations on nuclear disarmament, arms control and global security.
Ambassador Tahir Hussain Andrabi, Additional Secretary for Arms Control and Disarmament and Foreign Office Spokesperson, assumed the chair on Pakistan’s behalf and will preside over the Conference’s meetings during its final presidency of the 2026 session.
Pakistan’s tenure comes at a crucial stage as the Conference prepares to wrap up its proceedings for the year. Islamabad will lead negotiations on the Conference of Disarmament’s Annual Report and facilitate work on the related resolution that will subsequently be taken up by the First Committee of the UN General Assembly.
Soon after assuming the presidency, Ambassador Andrabi began consultations with key stakeholders. He chaired a meeting involving the previous Presidents of the Conference during the 2026 session and separately engaged representatives of various regional groups.
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Pakistan Assumes Presidency of the United Nations Conference on Disarmament
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— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) August 17, 2026
The Geneva-based Conference on Disarmament is the United Nations’ principal and only multilateral forum mandated to negotiate international disarmament and arms-control agreements. It has 65 member states, including countries possessing nuclear weapons.
Its agenda encompasses some of the most sensitive issues confronting the international security system, including halting the nuclear arms race, preventing nuclear conflict and stopping the weaponisation of outer space.
Also Read: Pakistan Assumes Presidency of UN Disarmament Conference in Geneva
Over the years, the Conference and its predecessor mechanisms have contributed to the negotiation of landmark global security agreements, including the Biological Weapons Convention, Chemical Weapons Convention and Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty.
Pakistan’s key role
Pakistan’s assumption of the presidency provides Islamabad with an opportunity to play a central role in advancing dialogue on disarmament and strategic stability at a time when international security challenges are becoming increasingly complex.
The Foreign Office said Pakistan’s elevation to the presidency demonstrates the confidence of the international community in the country’s diplomatic credentials and its constructive contribution to multilateral arms-control and disarmament efforts.
With the presidency, Pakistan will lead discussions at one of the world’s most important diplomatic platforms dealing with nuclear risks, arms control, disarmament and the broader architecture of international peace and security.
