Within the proceedings of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, on Wednesday, October 8th, the Permanent Representative of Italy to the United Nations in New York, Ambassador Maurizio Massari, chaired the first general debate of the First Committee of the United Nations, which deals with issues related to disarmament, arms control, and international security.
“Chairing the First Committee is a great honor and recognition of Italy’s prominent role in the multilateral and UN agenda,” said Massari, who was elected chair by acclamation last June, adding that the Italian chairmanship will actively engage in promoting constructive, effective, and pragmatic dialogue among Member States aimed at advancing the agenda of disarmament and non-proliferation. “In an international context characterized by heightened tensions and conflicts, it is appropriate for everyone to work to build an even more solid global security architecture that takes into account the challenges of the future,” Ambassador Massari added.
Alongside traditional disarmament issues, the Commission’s work will also cover limiting the use of biological and chemical weapons, conventional weapons, risk management, and the potential benefits of artificial intelligence for international security.
The new President of the General Assembly, Annaelena Baerbock, and the Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Izumi Nakamitsu, took the floor at the inaugural session of the First Committee, expressing their support for the objectives of the Italian Presidency.
