The Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs) were developed in 1987/87 and modified in 1991in a specific political environment with the purpose to improve confidence amongst States Parties by means of the provision of information required in a number of declaration formats.
By doing so, CBMs, in the field of conventional arms, adopted at different levels, complement each other and contribute to strengthening peace, security and stability at all levels
In 2012 and 2013, the Meeting of States Parties will also consider the Meeting of Experts report on CBMs, and in 2014 and 2015, the Meeting of States Parties will consider the Meeting of Experts report on Article VII.
Other States Parties use CBMs in a less formal – and less public – way, but still in the way they were originally intended: as a component of compliance assessments.
In 2008 and 2009, the numbers were comparable, but in 2010, when there were more CBM submissions than ever, there were significantly fewer States accessing them.
Implementation of CBMs, in the field of conventional arms, once agreed should be carried out in good faith according to the terms agreed among the parties
When TIA gives evidence of a conventional arms race or build-up, our response should not be acquiescence or complacency, but one geared to restraint and CBM’s at the regional and subregional levels.
In accordance with paragraph 7 (a) of decision 20 COP.12, a series of activities were undertaken by the secretariat through the CBM to promote capacity-building and awareness-raising.
The Working Group recognizes also that the United Nations can contribute to enhancing the effectiveness of CBMs by promoting complementarity between subregional, regional and global approaches as well as by establishing effective liaison and cooperation, with relevant subregional and regional bodies.
Parties noted with appreciation the work done by the secretariat in improving the UNCCD knowledge sharing services to Parties, particularly the development of the SKBP and the CBM, and in integrating various knowledge tools under one UNCCD Knowledge Hub.