Non-Proliferation Treaty, constitutes an obstacle to the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East. The continuation of the present situation is not conducive to the adoption of effective disarmament measures. On the contrary, it will lead to a further escalation of the arms race in the region. Since the Paris Conference on chemical weapons, our Conference has continued its discussions on the total prohibition of these weapons and the destruction of chemical weapons stockpiles. During this period, several conferences and symposia have been held on this subject in various regions of the world, including the Canberra Conference held in September 1989. No observer at these conferences would have any difficulty in acknowledging the following facts which have characterized international efforts in this field. Firstly, the Paris Conference greatly furthered international efforts, and the efforts of the Conference on Disarmament in particular, to draft an international treaty totally prohibiting the production and utilization of chemical weapons. However, the slow progress of negotiations and the persistence of obstacles and numerous problems that are as yet unresolved have diminished the momentum engendered by the Paris Conference. Secondly, the Conference on Disarmament achieved limited progress in negotiations last year, given the fact that many issues and problems were raised in regard to various aspects of the draft international convention on the prohibition of chemical weapons. Moreover, some countries participating in the negotiations attached more importance to the non-proliferation of chemical weapons than to the elimination of the weapons which they already possess. Some countries have opted for a policy of placing greater constraints on the transfer of various products and technologies to prevent their use in the production of chemical weapons. Such measures not only violate the incontrovertible right of countries to acquire the technology and materials needed for development; 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be focused on international relations and disarmament, discussing the obstacles to establishing a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East, the slow progress of negotiations on chemical weapons, and the constraints on technology and material transfer. These themes suggest that the text is related to international security and diplomacy rather than any specific economic, social, or environmental issue.

**Category**
International trade, Science and technology