A/RES/72/250 GA

United Nations A/RES/72/250 General Assembly Distr.: General 12 January 2018 17-23342 (E) 170118 *1723342* Seventy-second session Agenda item 97 (a) Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 24 December 2017 [on the report of the First Committee (A/72/407)] 72/250. Further practical measures for the prevention of an arms race in outer space The General Assembly, Recalling its resolutions 71/31 and 71/32 of 5 December 2016 and 71/90 of 6 December 2016, as well as its other resolutions on this subject, Encouraging all States to contribute actively to the prevention of an arms race in outer space, especially the placement of weapons in outer space, as well as the use of force against space objects, with a view to promoting and strengthening international cooperation in the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes, with the objective of shaping a community of shared future for mankind, Recognizing that the prevention of an arms race, especially of the placement of weapons in outer space, would avert a grave danger for international peace and security, Reaffirming that practical measures should be examined and taken in the search for agreements to prevent an arms race in outer space, Recognizing the primary role and responsibility of the Conference on Disarmament in the negotiation of a multilateral agreement or agreements on the prevention of an arms race in outer space, 1. Expresses its deep regret over the years of stalemate in the work of the Conference on Disarmament, and looks forward to the Conference again fulfilling its mandate as the world’s single multilateral disarmament negotiating forum; 2. Urges the Conference on Disarmament to agree on and implement at its earliest opportunity a balanced and comprehensive programme of work that includes the immediate commencement of negotiations on an international legally binding instrument on the prevention of an arms race in outer space, including, inter alia, on the prevention of the placement of weapons in outer space; A/RES/72/250 Further practical measures for the prevention of an arms race in outer space 17-23342 2/2 3. Requests the Secretary-General to establish a United Nations Group of Governmental Experts, with a membership of up to 25 Member States, chosen on the basis of fair and equitable geographical representation, to consider and make recommendations on substantial elements of an international legally binding instrument on the prevention of an arms race in outer space, including, inter alia, on the prevention of the placement of weapons in outer space; 4. Decides that the newly established Group of Governmental Experts will operate by consensus, without prejudice to national positions in future negotiations, and hold two 2-week sessions in Geneva, one in 2018 and the other in 2019; 5. Requests the Chair of the Group of Governmental Experts to organize, in New York, a two-day open-ended intersessional informal consultative meeting, in 2019, so that all Member States can engage in interactive discussions and share their views on the basis of a report on the work of the Group to be provided by the Chair in his own capacity; 6. Requests the Secretary-General to transmit the report of the Group of Governmental Experts to the General Assembly at its seventy-fourth session and to the Conference on Disarmament prior to its 2020 session; 7. Decides that, if the Conference on Disarmament agrees upon and implements a balanced and comprehensive programme of work that includes the negotiation of an international legally binding instrument on the prevention of an arms race in outer space, including, inter alia, on the prevention of the placement of weapons in outer space, the newly established Group of Governmental Experts will conclude its work and submit the results thereof to the Secretary-General for onward transmission to the Conference on Disarmament; 8. Also decides to include in the provisional agenda of its seventy-third session an item entitled “Further practical measures for the prevention of an arms race in outer space”. 76th plenary meeting 24 December 2017

UN Project. “A/RES/72/250.” UN Project, https://un-project.org/votes/resolution/A-RES-72-250/. Accessed .

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