UN disarmament panel opens session on preventing weapons proliferation to rogue groups

Measures to prevent the proliferation of weapon systems to rogue groups will top the agenda of Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Advisory Board on Disarmament Matters, which today opens a three-day meeting in New York.

Experts on the Board will also discuss the fact that national leaders meeting last year at a UN World Summit failed to agree on any reference to disarmament and non-proliferation in the Outcome Document they adopted.

The session will be chaired by U. Joy Ogwu, the Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs in Lagos. Currently, the Board has 19 members, appointed by the Secretary-General and serving in their personal capacities.

Established in 1978, the Board, which meets twice a year, is tasked with advising the Secretary-General on matters concerning arms limitation and disarmament.