The purpose of this article is to examine the historical evolution of the negotiation and decision-making process, in accordance with the rules of procedure, in the Conference on Disarmament, and to inquire to what extent these legal/procedural constraints, often spurned in favour of a more substantive analysis of agenda items, have influenced the paralysis of this forum. The approach that we propose will lead us to the study of the Conference on Disarmament as a negotiating forum, with special attention on the formula of consensus as a decision-making method.

Teaser: A Historical Perspective