Geneva is considered an international hub of disarmament diplomacy. Since 1979, the Conference on Disarmament (CD), the only UN multilateral forum to negotiate disarmament issues, has been held in Geneva.
The Conference meets in an annual session, divided into three parts of ten, seven and seven weeks. It is chaired by its members, on a rotating basis, with each member chairing for a period of four weeks.
The Conference reports annually to the UN General Assembly. It decides by consensus. Among its chief achievements are the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT).
Albania follows the proceedings of the Conference on Disarmament as a non-member country. Discussions at the CD, contacts with international organizations, UN bodies, representatives of academia and non-governmental organizations in Geneva dealing with disarmament issues, are essential for formulating Albania’s position in for a where the country is a member. The Permanent Mission in Geneva represents Albania also at a number of international treaties and conventions on disarmament.
The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)
The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) is the key instrument for a world without nuclear weapons. The NPT consists of three pillars: non-proliferation, disarmament and the right to peaceful use of nuclear technology.
Albania, like most UN member states, is a party to the NPT. The NPT Review Conference planned for 2020, coinciding with the Treaty’s 50th anniversary of entry into force, was postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fissile Materials (FMCT)
For several years, the CD has been trying to negotiate a treaty (the FMCT) to stop the production of two key components of nuclear weapons: highly enriched uranium and plutonium. States Parties to the NPT that do not have nuclear weapons are prohibited from producing or acquiring fissile materials for weapons. The FMCT would provide new restrictions for the five countries recognized as possessing nuclear weapons (USA, Russian Federation, UK, France and China), and for the four non-NPT countries (Israel, India, Pakistan and DPRK).
Through Resolution 71/259 of 26 December 2016 (A/RES/71/259), the UN General Assembly requested the Secretary-General to establish a 25-member preparatory group to review and make recommendations for essential elements of a treaty prohibiting the production of fissile material for weapons or other nuclear explosive devices. The group has gathered in New York for informal consultative meetings in 2017, 2018, 2019 and (virtually in) 2020.
The Convention on Biological Weapons (BWC)
The Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Archiving of Bacteriological (Biological) Weapons and Toxins, known briefly as the Convention on Biological Weapons (BWC), was negotiated in 1975, replacing the Geneva Protocol of 1925. The Convention prohibits the development, production and and the collection of biological weapons and toxins, and requires their destruction. Albania has been a member of the BWC since 1992. Member States meet annually at conference to discuss progress made in implementing the obligations that arising from the Convention.
The Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons(CCW)
The Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) is a framework treaty that prohibits the use of weapons that are considered inhumane. The treaty has 5 separate protocols (non-detectable fragments; mines, booby traps and other devices; incendiary weapons; blinding laser weapons; explosive remnants of war) and is currently discussing Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (LAWS), known also as “killer robots”. Albania is also party to Protocol II and the Amended Protocol V to the Convention. Member States meet annually at conference to discuss progress made in implementing the Convention.
The Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (APMBT)
The Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Storage, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines (APMBT) and on their Destruction, otherwise known as the Ottawa Treaty, entered into force in 1999. According to the Convention, the use, production, and collection and mine transfer is prohibited. In addition, countries are engaged in destroying reserves, clearing minefields and assisting mine victims.
Albania acceded to the Convention in 2000. In 2003, Albania reported the destruction of all anti-personnel mine stockpiles. In 2009, Albania destroyed or secured the destruction of all anti-personnel mines in areas under its jurisdiction or control in which anti-personnel mines were known or suspected. In 2010, Albania presided over the 10th Meeting of States Parties to the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use,Stockpiling, Production, and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction.
The Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM)
The 2010 Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) prohibits the use, production, collection and transfer of these weapons. Albania is one of the 120 member states that have ratified the convention. After the signing of the Convention, states are obliged to destroy their reserves within eight years and keep the accumulated waste within ten years. Member States meet annually at conference to discuss progress made in implementing the Convention.
The Arms Trade Treaty (ATT)
The Arms Trade Treaty was adopted by the UN General Assembly to regulate international trade in conventional arms by establishing the highest international standards and to prevent and eradicate illicit trade and diversion of conventional arms. The ATT contributes to international and regional peace, security, and stability, reducing human suffering and promoting cooperation, transparency and responsible action among the international community. The Treaty is in force since 2014. Currently, the ATT counts 110 State Parties and 31 States that have signed but not yet ratified the Treaty. Albania joined the ATT in December 2014.
Albania is serving in the Voluntary Trust Fund (VTF) Selection Committee, which consists of 15 member States, for the period 2020-2022 (between the Sixth and Eighth Conference of the ATT States Parties). The VTF shall disburse funds to ATT implementation projects according to the provisions of its Terms of Reference and Administrative Rules.
Small Arms and Light Weapons
Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) cause the most casualties worldwide. Easy to use, hold and hide, SALW are often the weapon of choice in conflict situations. There is no comprehensive treaty on this type of weapon but only a political document, the 2001 UN Program of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eliminate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons.
Albania has destroyed 168,119 weapons and 105,778 tons of combat ammunition over the last 10 years, transforming the country from a true arsenal of weapons into one with very few. During the first half of 2019, a further 9.492 small arms and light weapons were destroyed, with an additional 11,125 forseen. There has been a marked positive trend regarding law enforcement cooperation, leading to an increase of some 186 % of coordinated operations between 2015 and 2019 alone.
