INITIATIVE IN SUPPORT OF UKRAINE ON THE MARGINS OF THE HIGH-LEVEL SEGMENT
Following the example of last year’s initiative, on the occasion of the 2026 High-Level Segment of the Conference on Disarmament, numerous delegations, including the Italian one, reaffirmed their countries’ full support for Ukraine, which for four years has been the target of a brutal and unjustified armed aggression by the Russian Federation. During the intervention […]
Read moreITALY’S PARTICIPATION TO THE 2026 SESSION OF THE HIGH-LEVEL SEGMENT
During the 2026 session of the High-Level Segment, which opened today, Monday 23 February 2026, Ambassador Bencini, speaking on behalf of Italy (statement), drew attention to the concrete risk of a new arms race, including a nuclear one. He also reiterated the need to preserve and strengthen the multilateral disarmament system, underscoring in particular the […]
Read moreAmbassadors Bencini and Vignali meet in Geneva with students from Rondine – Cittadella della Pace
The Permanent Representative of Italy to the United Nations in Geneva, Ambassador Luigi Maria Vignali, and the Permanent Representative of Italy to the Conference on Disarmament, Ambassador Leonardo Bencini, met today at the headquarters of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) with an international group of students from the Association […]
Read moreConference on Disarmament: the 2026 Session opens in Geneva with Italy’s Participation
The 2026 session of the Conference on Disarmament opened today in Geneva under the presidency of Mongolia. In his statement, Italy’s Permanent Representative to the CD, Ambassador Leonardo Bencini, highlighted the value of the work carried out by the subsidiary bodies, while acknowledging the widespread sense of frustration among Member States over the Conference’s continued […]
Read moreITALY’S PARTICIPATION IN THE SEVENTH SESSION OF THE WORKING GROUP OF THE BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION
The seventh session of the Working Group of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) opened today, Monday, 8 December 2025, and will continue until 12 December. The session opened with a video message from the United Nations High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Ms. Izumi Nakamitsu, who encouraged States Parties to build bridges and strengthen dialogue and […]
Read moreITALY’S PARTICIPATION IN THE 22ND MEETING OF THE STATE PARTIES (MSP) TO THE OTTAWA CONVENTION
Today, December 1st, the Meeting of the States Parties (MSP) to the Ottawa Convention opened in the historic Assembly Hall of the United Nations Palace in Geneva. The Convention prohibits the use, stockpiling, production, and transfer of anti-personnel mines and requires the destruction of existing stockpiles and assistance to victims. This meeting represents an opportunity […]
Read moreAmbassador Bencini’s attendance at the 14th EU Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Conference (Bruxelles, 10-11 November)
The 14th EU Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Conference, organized by the Istituto Affari Internazionali (IAI – Institute of International Affairs), is currently being held in Brussels. The Conference is funded by the European Union within the framework of the activities carried out by the EU Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Consortium. The event brings together experts from governments, […]
Read moreTHE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY FIRST COMMITTEE CONCLUDES THE THEMATIC DEBATES
In his statement under Cluster V (other disarmament measures – video) Ambassador Bencini recalled Italy’s commitment to a cyberspace that is open, interoperable, safe, secure and resilient, a cyberspace that respects human rights and in which international law fully applies. Under cluster VII (disarmament machinery, video), he mentioned the results obtained during Italy’s presidency of […]
Read moreTHE FIRST COMMITTEE OF THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY DISCUSSING CONVENTIONAL WEAPONS AND OUTER SPACE
On 24 October Ambassador Bencini, Permanent Representative to the Conference on Disarmament, delivered statements on behalf of Italy under cluster III (outer space) and cluster IV (conventional weapons). In his statement on outer space (video) he reaffirmed that the 1967 Outer Space Treaty remains the cornerstone of global space governance, while recognizing the emergence of […]
Read moreStatement by Italy during the debate on weapons of mass destruction
Referring to the speech delivered by U.S. President Trump during the High-Level Week of the General Assembly of the United Nations, Ambassador Bencini expressed support for the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) and emphasized Italy’s readiness to cooperate with the United States and other States Parties. He also expressed the hope that the work initiated during […]
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