Pakistan elected to head UN convention on conventional weapons

Election reflects recognition of Pakistan’s contribution to international security and arms control, says statement

Pakistan’s strong credentials in multilateral diplomacy were endorsed on Monday after the country's permanent representative to the United Nations (UN) in Geneva was elected as chairperson of the Meeting of High Contracting Parties to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW).



The election reflects a recognition by the international community of Pakistan’s contribution to international security and arms control, said a statement released on November 26.

Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations in Geneva Ambassador Farrukh Amil, was elected as the chairperson on November 23.

The unanimous decision was taken by all states parties to the convention by consensus.

“The Convention and its five protocols deal with prohibitions and restrictions of certain conventional weapons, balancing humanitarian concerns with their military utility. In the framework of the convention, states parties are also considering a number of new and contemporary issues such as lethal autonomous weapons systems (LAWS).”

The convention was signed in 1981 and aims to restrict the use of certain conventional weapons which are deemed to be excessively injurious or have indiscriminate effects. The convention covers landmines, booby traps, incendiary weapons, blinding laser weapons and other weapons.