A/RES/3477(XXX) GA

26 General Assembly-Thirtieth Session 3. Dectlti!J to include in the provisional agenda of its thirty-first session an item entitled "Convention on the prohibition of military or any other hostile use of environmental modification techniques: report of the Conference of the Committee on Disarmament". 2437th plenary meeting 11 December 1975 3476 (XXX). Declaration and establishment of a nuclear-free zone in South Asia A The General Assembly, Recalling its resolution 3265 A (XXIX) of 9 De- cember 1974, in which the General Assembly, while recognizing, inter alia, that the creation of nuclear- weapon-free zones could promote the cause of general and complete disarmament under effective international control, considered that the initiative for the creation of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in an appropriate region of Asia should come from the States of the region con- cerned, taking into account its special features and geographical extent, • , Noting with appreciation the comprehensive study of the question of nuclear-weapon-free zones in all its aspects,44 which has been prepared by the Ad Hoe Group of Qualified Governmental Experts under the auspices of the Conference of the Committee on Dis- armament, Having considered the basic principle unanimously accepted by the experts that, wherever appropriate conditions for a nuclear-weapon-free zone exist, the initiative for the creation of a nuclear-weapon-free zone should come from States within the region concerned, and participation must be voluntary, Decides to give due consideration to any proposal for the creation of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in an appropriate region of Asia, after it has been developed , and matured among the interested States within the re- gion concerned. B The General Assembly, 2437th plenary meeting 11 December 1975 Recalling its resolution 3265 B (XXIX) of 9 De- cember 1974, in which it endorsed, in principle, the concept of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in South Asia, Noting the note by the Secretary-General,411 Further noting that, in the introduction to his report on the work of the Organization, the Secretary-Gen- eral has urged the interested countries of the different regions to consult together with a view to the estab- lishment of additional nuclear-free zones,46 1. Urges the States of South Asia to oontinue their efforts to establish a nuclear-weapon-free zone in South Asia, as recommended by the Geperal Assem- bly in resolution 3265 B (XXIX); 2. Further urges those States to refrain from any action contrary to the objective of establishing a nuclear-weapon-free zone in South Asia; "'Ibid., Supplement No. 27A (A/10027/Add.1), annex I. 411 A/10325. 48See Official Records of the General Assembly, Thirtieth Session, Supplement No. JA (A/10001/Add.1), sect. VIII. . , 3. Decides to include in the provisional agend::i. of its thirty-4irst session an item entitled "Establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in South Asia". 2437th plenary meeting 11 December 197 5 3477 (XXX). Establishment of a nuclear-weapon- free zone in the South Pacific The General Assembly, Conscious of the urgent need for agreement on measures to achieve the goal of general and complete disarmament, inoluding nuclear disarmament, under . effective international control, Convinced that the proliferation of nuclear weapons and the continuance of the nuclear arms race are among the greatest threats to world peace and the sur- vival of mankind, Noting that article VII of the Treaty on the Non- Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons47 acknowledges the right of any group of States to conclude regional treaties in order to ensure the to~ absence of nuclear weapons in their respective territories, Noting further the declaration of the Review Con- fereru::e of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Pro- liferation of Nuclear Weapons that the establishment of internationally recognized nuclear-weapan-free zones, on the initiative and with the agreement of the directly concerned States of the zone, represents an ef- fective means of curbing the spread of nuclear weapons and could contribute significantly to the security of those States, 48 Endorsing the declaration of the Review Conference that the co-operation of the nuclear-weapon States is necessary for the maximum effectiveness of any treaty arrangements for establishing a nuclear-weapon-free zone,49 Recalling, in particular, the Declaration on the De- nuclearization of Africa,50 adopted by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Organization of African Unity at its first ordinary session, held at Cairo from 17 to 21 July 1964, and the notable progress achieved by the Latin American States towards the de- nuclearization of their region, Noting, in addition, that the Heads of Government of the independent or self-governing States members of the South Pacific Forum emphasized in their com- munique of 3 July 1975 the importance of keeping the South Pacific region free from the risk of nuclear con- tamination and of involvement in a nuclear conflict and commended the idea of establishing a nuclear- weapon-free zone in the South Pacific as a means of achieving that aim, 1. Endorses the idea of tlie establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the South Pacific; 2. Invites the countries concerned to carry forward consultations about ways and means of realizing this objective; 3. Expresses the hope that all States, in particular the nuclear-weapon States, will co-operate fully in achieving the objectives of the present resolution; 47 Resolution 2373 (XXII), a.mi.ex. 48 See A/C.1/1068, annex I, p. 9. 49 Jbid. 50 See Official Records of the General Ass,mbly, Twentieth Session, Annexes, agenda item 105, document A/5915 • Resolutions adopted on the reports of the First Committee 27 4. Requests the Secretary-General to render all nec- essary assistance to the States of the region in giving effect to the purpose of the present resolution. 2437th plenary meeting 11 December 1975 3478 (XXX). Conclusion of a treaty on·the com• plete and general prohibition of nuclear weapon tests The General Assembly, Recognizing the urgent need for the cessation every- where and by all of nuclear weapon tests, including underground tests, Expressing its deep concern over the fact that an international agreement on the cessation of nuclear weapon tests of all kinds has not yet been reached, Convinced that the cessation of such tests would con- tribute to the reduction of the nuclear arms race as well as to the further relaxation of international tension, Reaffirming that the potential benefits of any peace- ful application of nuclear explosions should be avail- able to nuclear as well as non-nuclear States, in con- formity with the provisions of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons,51 in such a way as to exclude any possibility of peaceful nuclear explosions being used for purposes incompatible with the complete and general prohibition of nuclear weapon tests and the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, Also convinced of the need again to exert every ef- fort for the early cessation everywhere and by all of nuclear weapon tests, including underground tests, l. Takes note of the draft treaty on the complete and general prohibition of nuclear weapon tests sub- mitted to the General Assembly by the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the text of which is annexed to the present resolution; 2. Calls upon all nuclear-weapon States to enter into negotiations, not later than 31 March 1976, with a view to reaching agreement on the complete and general prohibition of nuclear weapon tests, and in- vites twenty-five to thirty non-nuclear-weapon States, to be appointed by the President of the General Assem- bly after consultations with all regional groups,112 to participate in those negotiations, and to inform the Assembly, at its thirty-first session, of the results of the negotiations; 3. Requests the Secretary-General to render such assistance as may be necessary for the negotiations with a view to reaching agreement on the complete and general prohibition of nuclear weapon tests and to transmit to the group referred to in paragraph 2 above all documents relating to the consideration by the Gen- eral Assembly at its thirtieth session of agenda items 37 and 122;53 4. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its thirty-first session the item entitled "Conclusion of a treaty on the complete and general prohibition of nuclear weapon tests". 2437th plenary meeting 11 December 197 5 151 Resolution 2373 (XXII), annex. 152 For the report of the President of the General Assembly on this matter, see A/10509. 53 For the wording of the items, see below pp. 162 and 168. ANNEX Union of Soviet Socialist Republics: draft treaty on the complete and general prohibition of nuclear weapon tests The States Parties to this Treaty, Proclaiming their intention to bring about, as speedily as possible, the cessation of the nuclear arms race, the adoption of effective measures towards nuclear disarmament and the conclusion of an agreement on general and complete diliarma- ment under strict and effective international control, Taking into account the appeals by the General Assembly of the United Nations to put an end to nuclear weapon tests in all environments, Noting that the prohibition of all nuclear weapon tests would be in the interests of strengthening peace and slowing the arms race and would be a contribution to the process of international detente, Reaffirming that the potential benefits of any peaceful appli- cation of nuclear explosions should be available to nuclear as well as non-nuclear States in conformity with the provisions of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons54 and of ,the present Treaty, Noting the great positive significance of the Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapon Tests in the Atmosphere, in Outer Space and under Water, signed in Moscow on 5 August 1963,55 Stressing the importance of strict compliance with the above- mentioned Treaty up to the time of entry into force of this Treaty, Seeking to achieve the permanenit cessation of all test ex- plosions of nuclear weapons by all States, Have agreed on the following: ARTICLE I 1. Each State Party to this Treaty undertakes to prohibit, to prevent and to refrain from carrying out any test explosions of nuclear weapons anywhere under its jurisdiction or control in a!ll environments-in the atmosphere, in outer space, under water and underground. · 2. Each State Party to this Treaty undertakes to refrain from encouraging, inciting, or in any way participating in the carrying out of nuclear explosions prohibited by paragraph 1 of this article. ARTICLE 11 1. Control over compliance. with this Treaty shall be con- ducted by the States Parties, through their own national tech- nical means of control, in accordance with the generally rec- ognized rules of international law. 2. In order to promote the objectives of and ensure com- pliance with the provisions of· this Treaty, the Parties to the Treaty shall co-operate in an id'ternational exchange of seismic data. 3. In order to promote the objectives of and to ensure com- pliance with the provisions of this Treaty, the Parties shall, when necessary, consult one another, make inquiries and re- ceive appropriate information in connexion with such inquiries. 4. Any State Party to this Treaty which ascertains that any other State Party is acting in violation of obligations deriving from the provisions of the Treaty may lodge a complaint with the Security Council of the United Nations. Such a complaint must contain all possible evidence confirming its validity and a request for its consideration by the Security CollllCil. The Council shall inform the States Parties to the Treaty of the resuilts of its consideration. ARTICLE III 1. The provisions of article ,I shall not apply to any under- ground nuclear explosions conducted by nuclear-weapon States for peaceful purposes on the territory under their jurisdiction and in compliance with the agreements under which, -in ac- cordance with article V of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation 154 Resolution 2373 (XXII), annex. 1111 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 480, No. 6964, p. 43.

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