A/RES/73/62 GA

United Nations A/RES/73/62 General Assembly Distr.: General 13 December 2018 18-21269 (E) 171218 *1821269* Seventy-third session Agenda item 101 (ee) Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 5 December 2018 [on the report of the First Committee (A/73/510 and A/73/510/Corr.1)] 73/62. United action with renewed determination towards the total elimination of nuclear weapons The General Assembly, Reaffirming its commitment towards a peaceful and secure world free of nuclear weapons, Recalling its resolution 72/50 of 4 December 2017, Reaffirming the crucial importance of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons1 as the cornerstone of the international nuclear non-proliferation regime and an essential foundation for the pursuit of nuclear disarmament, nuclear non-proliferation and the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, Reaffirming also its determination to further strengthen the universality of the regime of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, and recalling that nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation and peaceful uses of nuclear energy are mutually reinforcing and are essential for strengthening the Treaty regime, Stressing the essential role of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, 2018 being the fiftieth anniversary of its opening for signature, in the maintenance of international peace, security and stability, as well as its centrality to the rules-based international order, and recalling the achievements and the significance of the Treaty as the cornerstone of the international nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime, which has contributed to the achievement of major reductions in the nuclear arsenals of nuclear-weapon States, Stressing also the importance of the Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons to be held in 2020, on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the entry into force of the Treaty, and of its review cycle towards the 2020 Review Conference, __________________ 1 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 729, No. 10485. A/RES/73/62 United action with renewed determination towards the total elimination of nuclear weapons 18-21269 2/7 Reaffirming that the enhancement of international peace and security and the promotion of nuclear disarmament are mutually reinforcing and that it is in the common interest of all States to improve the international security environment and pursue a world free of nuclear weapons in line with article VI of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, Emphasizing the crucial importance of rebuilding trust and enhancing cooperation among all States in order to make substantive progress in nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, bearing in mind there are various approaches towards the realization of a world free of nuclear weapons, Mindful, in this regard, that civility in discourse and respect for divergent views contribute to facilitating a meaningful and realistic dialogue, which enables the international community to reduce nuclear dangers and move forward towards a world free of nuclear weapons, Recognizing the importance of ensuring the equitable representation and participation of both women and men in disarmament discussions to enable a truly comprehensive approach to nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, Expressing grave concern over the recent developments in regional security situations and the growing dangers posed by the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear weapons, and by related proliferation networks, Noting that the ultimate objective of the efforts of States in the disarmament process is general and complete disarmament under strict and effective international control, Reaffirming the commitment to achieving the complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, including the dismantlement of its nuclear weapons, ballistic missiles and related nuclear and ballistic missile programmes, and the cessation of all related activities, in accordance with Security Council resolutions, Welcoming the inter-Korean summits held on 27 April, 26 May and 18 to 20 September 2018 and the meeting between the President of the United States of America and the Chairman of the Workers’ Party of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea of 12 June 2018 as a positive step toward the final, fully verified denuclearization of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Recalling, in this context, that the repeated unlawful nuclear tests and frequent missile launches using United Nations-proscribed ballistic missile technology by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea pose unprecedented, grave and imminent threats to the peace and security of the region and the world, present grave challenges to the regime centred on the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, and constitute clear and repeated violations of the relevant Security Council resolutions, and reiterating the resolute opposition of the international community to the possession of nuclear weapons by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Recognizing that the relevant Security Council resolutions, including resolution 2397 (2017) of 22 December 2017, express the Council’s firm opposition to the unlawful nuclear and missile programmes of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in violation of the relevant Council resolutions and the Council’s determination to take further significant measures in the event of a further nuclear test or ballistic missile launch by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Reaffirming that further consolidation of the international regime for nuclear non-proliferation, is, inter alia, essential to international peace and security, United action with renewed determination towards the total elimination of nuclear weapons A/RES/73/62 3/7 18-21269 Stressing the importance of the decisions and the resolution on the Middle East of the 1995 Review and Extension Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons2 and the Final Documents of the 20003 and 20104 Review Conferences of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, and reaffirming its support for the establishment of a Middle East zone free of nuclear weapons and all other weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems, on the basis of arrangements freely arrived at by the States of the region and in accordance with the 1995 resolution on the Middle East, and for the resumption of dialogue towards this end involving the States concerned, Expressing deep concern at the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons use, and reaffirming the need for all States to comply at all times with applicable international law, including international humanitarian law, while convinced that every effort should be made to avoid the use of nuclear weapons, Recognizing that the catastrophic humanitarian consequences that would result from the use of nuclear weapons should be fully understood by all, and noting in this regard that efforts should be made to increase such understanding, Welcoming the visits of political leaders to Hiroshima and Nagasaki, in particular the recent visit to Nagasaki by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Recalling that nuclear and radiological terrorism remains a pressing and evolving challenge to the international community, and reaffirming the central role of the International Atomic Energy Agency in nuclear security, 1. Renews the determination of all States to take united action towards the total elimination of nuclear weapons through the easing of international tension and the strengthening of trust between States as envisioned in the preamble to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons1 in order to facilitate disarmament and through strengthening the nuclear non-proliferation regime; 2. Reaffirms, in this regard, the unequivocal undertaking of the nuclear- weapon States to fully implement the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons in all its aspects, including article VI, towards the goal of the total elimination of nuclear weapons, recalling the Final Document of the 2000 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons;3 3. Calls upon all States parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons to comply with their obligations under all the articles of the Treaty and to implement, with due consideration to developments in global security, steps agreed to in the Final Documents of the 1995 Review and Extension Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons2 and the 2000 and 20104 Review Conferences; 4. Encourages all States to exert their utmost efforts towards the success of the 2020 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, welcoming the successful convening of the first and second sessions of the Preparatory Committee for the Review Conference, which were held, respectively, in Vienna in May 2017 and in Geneva in April and May 2018; __________________ 2 1995 Review and Extension Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, Final Document, Part I (NPT/CONF.1995/32 (Part I) and NPT/CONF.1995/32 (Part I)/Corr.2), annex. 3 2000 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, Final Document, vols. I–III (NPT/CONF.2000/28 (Parts I and II), NPT/CONF.2000/28 (Part III) and NPT/CONF.2000/28 (Part IV)). 4 2010 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, Final Document, vols. I–III (NPT/CONF.2010/50 (Vol. I), NPT/CONF.2010/50 (Vol. II) and NPT/CONF.2010/50 (Vol. III)). A/RES/73/62 United action with renewed determination towards the total elimination of nuclear weapons 18-21269 4/7 5. Calls upon all States not parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons to accede as non-nuclear-weapon States to the Treaty promptly and without any conditions to achieve its universality and, pending their accession to the Treaty, to adhere to its terms and to take practical steps in support of the Treaty; 6. Encourages all States to further engage in meaningful dialogue that facilitates practical, concrete and effective measures on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, and calls for efforts to foster a dialogue through interactive discussion to improve understanding and develop measures that enable States to address the security environment and improve confidence and trust among all States; 7. Emphasizes that deep concerns about the humanitarian consequences of the use of nuclear weapons continue to be a key factor that underpins efforts by all States towards a world free of nuclear weapons; 8. Calls upon all States to apply the principles of irreversibility, verifiability and transparency in the process of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation; 9. Also calls upon all States to take further practical steps and effective measures towards the total elimination of nuclear weapons, based on the principle of undiminished and increased security for all; 10. Stresses that increased transparency will build confidence and trust at the regional and international levels and contribute to establishing a common ground for dialogue and negotiation, which could allow further reductions in nuclear weapons towards their total elimination; 11. Encourages the nuclear-weapon States to build upon and expand their efforts to enhance transparency and to increase mutual confidence, including, inter alia, by providing more frequent and further detailed reporting on nuclear weapons and delivery systems dismantled and reduced as part of nuclear disarmament efforts throughout the review process of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons towards the 2020 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty; 12. Calls upon all States to make utmost efforts to ease international tension, strengthen trust between States and improve the international security environment with a view to facilitating further nuclear reductions, placing special emphasis, among others, on the following actions: (a) Continued implementation of the Treaty on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms (New START Treaty), welcoming the fact that 5 February 2018 marked the date on which the central limits on strategic nuclear arsenals under the Treaty took effect, and further welcoming the respective announcements of the Russian Federation and the United States of America that each had by that date met those central limits; (b) Continuing dialogues between the Russian Federation and the United States of America that could enable the commencement of negotiations to achieve greater reductions in their stockpiles of nuclear weapons; (c) Efforts by all States possessing nuclear weapons to reduce and ultimately eliminate all types of nuclear weapons, deployed and non-deployed, including through unilateral, bilateral, regional and multilateral measures; (d) Regular discussions among the nuclear-weapon States and other States, through which the international security environment could be improved with a view to facilitating further nuclear disarmament measures; (e) Continuous review by the States concerned of their military and security concepts, doctrines and policies with a view to reducing further the role and significance of nuclear weapons therein, taking into account the security environment; United action with renewed determination towards the total elimination of nuclear weapons A/RES/73/62 5/7 18-21269 13. Urges all States possessing nuclear weapons to continue to undertake all efforts necessary to comprehensively address the risks of unintended nuclear detonations; 14. Recognizes the legitimate interest of non-nuclear-weapon States that are party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and in compliance with their nuclear non-proliferation obligations in receiving unequivocal and legally binding security assurances from nuclear-weapon States which could strengthen the nuclear non-proliferation regime; 15. Recalls Security Council resolution 984 (1995) of 11 April 1995, noting the unilateral statements by each of the nuclear-weapon States, and calls upon all nuclear- weapon States to fully respect their commitments with regard to security assurances; 16. Encourages the establishment of further nuclear-weapon-free zones, where appropriate, on the basis of arrangements freely arrived at by the States of the region concerned and in accordance with the 1999 guidelines of the Disarmament Commission, 5 and recognizes that, by signing and ratifying relevant protocols that contain negative security assurances, nuclear-weapon States would undertake individual legally binding commitments with respect to the status of such zones and not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against States that are party to such treaties; 17. Also encourages further efforts towards the establishment of a Middle East zone free of nuclear weapons and all other weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems, on the basis of arrangements freely arrived at by the States of the region and in accordance with the 1995 resolution on the Middle East, 2 and the resumption of dialogue towards that end involving the States concerned; 18. Acknowledges the widespread call for the early entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty,6 while recalling that all States, in particular the eight remaining States in annex 2 thereof, have been urged to take individual initiatives to sign and ratify that Treaty without waiting for any other States to do so, and urges all States to maintain all existing moratoria on nuclear-weapon test explosions or any other nuclear explosions and declare their political will to do so, so long as the Treaty has not entered into force; 19. Commends the accomplishments of and continued support by States for the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization since the opening for signature of the Treaty, in particular the significant progress made in the establishment of the International Monitoring System and the International Data Centre; 20. Urges all States concerned to immediately commence negotiations on a treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices and its early conclusion on the basis of document CD/1299 of 24 March 1995 and the mandate contained therein, taking into consideration the report of the Group of Government Experts requested in paragraph 3 of resolution 67/53 of 3 December 2012,7 the report of the high-level fissile material cut-off treaty expert preparatory group requested in paragraph 2 of resolution 71/259 of 23 December 2016,8 as well as the report of subsidiary body 2 of the Conference on Disarmament, adopted on 5 September 2018;9 __________________ 5 See Official Records of the General Assembly, Fifty-fourth Session, Supplement No. 42 (A/54/42). 6 See resolution 50/245 and A/50/1027. 7 A/70/81. 8 A/73/159. 9 CD/2139. A/RES/73/62 United action with renewed determination towards the total elimination of nuclear weapons 18-21269 6/7 21. Urges all States concerned to declare and maintain a moratorium on the production of fissile material for use in nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices, pending the entry into force of the treaty; 22. Welcomes the efforts undertaken towards the development of nuclear disarmament verification capabilities that can contribute to the pursuit of a world free of nuclear weapons, including the Group of Governmental Experts mandated pursuant to resolution 71/67 of 14 December 2016 and the International Partnership for Nuclear Disarmament Verification, and stresses in this regard the importance of cooperation between nuclear-weapon States and non-nuclear-weapon States; 23. While noting with appreciation the decision of the Conference on Disarmament at its 2018 session on the establishment of the subsidiary bodies, calls upon the Conference on Disarmament to further intensify consultations and to explore possibilities for overcoming its ongoing deadlock of two decades by adopting and implementing a programme of work at the earliest possible date during its 2019 session; 24. Encourages all States to implement the recommendations contained in the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations study on disarmament and non-proliferation education, 10 in support of achieving a world free of nuclear weapons; 25. Encourages every effort to raise awareness of the realities of the use of nuclear weapons, including through, among others, visits by leaders, youth and others to and interactions with communities and people, including the hibakusha (those who have suffered the use of nuclear weapons) that pass on their experiences to the future generations; 26. Reaffirms the responsibility of all States for the full implementation of all relevant Security Council resolutions and the obligations of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to achieve complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization in accordance with relevant Security Council resolutions; 27. Urges the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to fulfil its commitment made at the inter-Korean summits held on 27 April, 26 May and 18 to 20 September 2018 and the meeting of 12 June 2018 between the President of the United States of America and the Chairman of the Workers’ Party of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea for the final, fully verified denuclearization of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea; 28. Condemns in the strongest terms all nuclear tests and launches using ballistic missile technology and other activities in furtherance of the development of nuclear and ballistic missile technology by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, which cannot have the status of a nuclear-weapon State in accordance with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, and strongly urges the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to refrain from conducting any further nuclear tests as a step toward complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization, to sign and ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty without further delay and without waiting for any other States to do so and to abandon all ongoing nuclear activities immediately in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner, and calls upon the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to fully comply with all relevant Security Council resolutions, to implement the joint statement of the Six-Party Talks of 19 September 2005 and to return at an early date to full compliance with the Treaty, including that of the International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards; __________________ 10 A/57/124. United action with renewed determination towards the total elimination of nuclear weapons A/RES/73/62 7/7 18-21269 29. Calls upon all States to redouble their efforts to prevent and curb the proliferation of nuclear weapons and their means of delivery and to fully respect and comply with any obligations undertaken to forswear nuclear weapons; 30. Also calls upon all States to establish and enforce effective domestic controls to prevent proliferation of nuclear weapons, and encourages cooperation among States and technical assistance to enhance international partnership and capacity-building in non-proliferation efforts; 31. Stresses the fundamental role of the International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards and the importance of the universalization of the comprehensive safeguards agreements, and, while noting that it is the sovereign decision of any State to conclude an additional protocol, strongly encourages all States that have not done so to conclude and bring into force as soon as possible an additional protocol based on the Model Additional Protocol to the Agreement(s) between States and the International Atomic Energy Agency for the Application of Safeguards, approved by the Board of Governors of the Agency on 15 May 1997; 32. Calls upon all States to fully implement relevant Security Council resolutions, including Council resolutions 1540 (2004) of 28 April 2004 and 2325 (2016) of 15 December 2016, based on the outcome of the comprehensive review of the status of implementation of Council resolution 1540 (2004); 33. Encourages all States to attach more importance to, and enhance the security of, nuclear and other radiological materials, and to further strengthen the global nuclear security architecture; 34. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its seventy-fourth session, under the item entitled “General and complete disarmament”, the sub-item entitled “United action with renewed determination towards the total elimination of nuclear weapons”. 45th plenary meeting 5 December 2018

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