Regional approaches to disarmament

Abstract

It is the conditions in their own region that determine most States’ perception of security and their policies and requirements in the military field—hence the need for regional confidence-building and disarmament measures. Suspicions among States regarding their neighbours’ military capability and intentions may be allayed by confidence-building measures such as prior notification of force manoeuvres, exchanges of data on military budgets and arms transfers, exchanges of military delegations and cooperation in military training. Agreement on such measures may lead, as in the case of Europe— region where opposing military blocs faced each other for over 40 years—to a reduction not only of tension, but also of numbers of weapons. It is generally accepted that the goal of regional confidence-building and arms limitation should be to increase stability and security within the region. It is up to those States to consider, in the light of local conditions, the appropriate arms limitation measures and the approaches to be utilized. When the various regional achievements complement wider, global efforts, they contribute to the consolidation of international peace and security.