UN's regional disarmament body to open in Kathmandu from Aug 18

United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament (RCPD) is come into operation in Kathmandu from August 18.

A senior representative of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will open the RCPD, which will function as the operational arm of UN Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) in Asia and the Pacific.

Established by General Assembly Resolution A/42/39D in 1987 and mandated to provide, on request, substantive support for initiatives and other activities mutually agreed upon by the member states, RCPD in Asia and the Pacific undertakes disarmament and security related projects and acts as a forum for dialogue and cooperation among States in Asia and the Pacific.

"Serving 43 states in Asia and the Pacific, RCPD is a useful instrument for fostering a climate of cooperation for peace and disarmament in this vast region, a UN statement said.

The statement said that RCPD's relocation to Kathmandu is in accordance with the Host Country Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding signed by the UN and the Government of Nepal on 20 July 2007, a development unanimously welcomed by the General Assembly at its 62nd session (A/62/52).

RCPD's assistance and capacity-building packages comprise of the convening of and substantive support to high-level regional conferences; round-tables of experts; technical workshops as well as trainings for government officials, parliamentarians and civil society, and also any other specific disarmament related activities which may be requested by a Member State, a group of States, and/or a regional arrangement, including review and drafting of legislation. nepalnews.com mk Aug 08 08