Morocco will lead the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva until 13 March. Its ambassador to the United Nations, Omar Hilale, is chairing the body at a time of growing global tension.
The Conference on Disarmament is the UN’s only forum where countries negotiate global arms control deals. It helped produce major treaties such as the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the Chemical Weapons Convention.
Morocco takes over as many countries are worried about the state of global security. Tensions between major powers are rising, trust between governments has fallen and some old arms control agreements have collapsed. At the same time, countries are developing new weapons and military technology, including systems linked to artificial intelligence and cyber tools.
The conference itself has been stuck for more than 20 years. Member states have failed to agree on a clear plan of work because they cannot see eye to eye on security priorities. One of the main challenges for Mr Hilale will be trying to break that deadlock.
A key moment will come between 23 and 25 February, when around 40 senior officials, including foreign ministers and the UN Secretary-General, are expected to attend a high-level meeting. Diplomats say this will show whether the forum can move from speeches to real progress.
Morocco says its leadership shows its commitment to working with other countries on shared security issues. The country has strong ties with Western nations and is also active in African and Arab diplomacy. It has long supported the idea of nuclear-weapon-free zones in Africa and the Middle East.
Officials say Rabat will push for small, practical steps to rebuild trust between countries and restart serious talks to support fair and lasting peace.
