Adopting 57 First Committee Texts, General Assembly Addresses Myriad Security Issues, from Use of Chemical Weapons in Syria to Nuclear-Arms-Ban Treaty
Heeding the recommendation of its First Committee (Disarmament and International Security), the General Assembly adopted 53 draft resolutions and 4 draft decisions today, including one that would, with renewed determination, seek concerted action towards the total elimination of nuclear weapons.
Adopting that text by a recorded vote of 156 in favour to 4 against (China, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Syria), with 24 abstentions, the Assembly called upon all States to take further practical steps and measures towards the total elimination of nuclear weapons, based on the principle of undiminished and increased security for all.
Welcoming the new Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, the Assembly adopted a related draft resolution on ethical imperatives for a nuclear‑weapon‑free world. Adopting that text by a vote of 130 in favour to 36 against, with 15 abstentions, the Assembly called upon all States to acknowledge the catastrophic humanitarian consequences and risks posed by a nuclear weapon detonation, and noted that all responsible States had a solemn duty to take decisions that served to protect their people and each other from the ravages of such activities.
Reaffirming its condemnation of the use of chemical weapons by anyone under any circumstances, the Assembly adopted the draft resolution “Implementation of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction” by a recorded vote of 159 in favour 7 against (Burundi, China, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Iran, Russian Federation, Syria, Zimbabwe), with 14 abstentions. In doing so, it expressed its strong conviction that those individuals responsible for their use must be held accountable.
Prior to the passage of that text as a whole, the Assembly decided, by separate recorded votes, to retain several paragraphs, which included provisions whereby it condemned in the strongest possible terms the use of chemical weapons in Syria, as indicated in reports by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons‑United Nations Joint Investigative Mechanism.
Highlighting the importance of addressing regional concerns, the Assembly adopted the draft resolution “Conventional arms control at the regional and subregional levels”, by a vote of 184 in favour to 1 against (India), with 2 abstentions (Bhutan, Russian Federation). Before adopting that text as a whole, the Assembly decided, by a recorded vote of 140 in favour to 1 against (India), with 39 abstentions, to retain operative paragraph 2, which requested the Conference on Disarmament to consider the formulation of principles that could serve as a framework for regional agreements on conventional arms control.
Acting without a vote, the Assembly adopted draft resolutions on regional disarmament, confidence‑building measures in the regional and subregional context, activities of the United Nations Standing Advisory Committee on Security Questions in Central Africa and strengthening of security and cooperation in the Mediterranean region.
The Assembly also took action on measures to curb the proliferation of next‑generation armaments, adopting the draft resolution “Prohibition of the development and manufacture of new types of weapons of mass destruction and new systems of such weapons: report of the Conference on Disarmament” by a recorded vote of 180 in favour to 3 against (Israel, United Kingdom, United States), with no abstentions. By the terms of that text, the Assembly reaffirmed that effective measures be taken to prevent the emergence of such weapons.
Countering the threat posed by improvised explosive devices, the Assembly adopted a draft resolution of the same name without a vote, urging Member States to comply fully with all relevant United Nations resolutions, including those related to preventing terrorist groups from using and accessing materials that could be used in making such weapons.
Addressing new challenges arising from fast‑moving developments in the information communication technology arena, the Assembly adopted, by a recorded vote of 185 in favour to none against, with 1 abstention (Ukraine), a draft resolution on developments in the field of information and telecommunications in the context of international security.
The Assembly also adopted, without a vote, two annual draft resolutions containing reports on the work of the Conference on Disarmament and on the Disarmament Commission. It also adopted a draft decision on its 2018 programme of work and took note of a report on programme planning.
Due to budget implications, the Assembly deferred action on draft resolutions on follow‑up to the 2013 high‑level meeting of the General Assembly on nuclear disarmament and on further practical measures for the prevention of an arms race in outer space.
Over the course of the meeting, the Assembly adopted, without a vote, draft resolutions relating to transparency of military expenditures; African Nuclear‑Weapon‑Free Zone Treaty; establishing a nuclear‑weapon‑free zone in the Middle East; and the role of science and technology in the context of international security and disarmament.
Taking up texts contained in its First Committee report on general and complete disarmament, the Assembly adopted, by separate recorded vote, draft resolutions on: follow‑up to nuclear disarmament obligations agreed to at the 1995, 2000 and 2010 Review Conferences of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons; humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons; taking forward multilateral nuclear disarmament negotiations; and compliance with non‑proliferation, arms limitation and disarmament agreements and commitments.
Also by separate recorded votes, it adopted draft resolutions on a nuclear‑weapon‑free world; reducing nuclear danger; nuclear disarmament; Arms Trade Treaty; nuclear‑weapon‑free southern hemisphere and adjacent areas; and promoting multilateralism in disarmament and non‑proliferation. The Assembly also adopted by separate recorded votes draft resolutions on convening of the fourth special session of the General Assembly devoted to disarmament; and on follow‑up to the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on the legality of the threat or use of nuclear weapons.
It also approved three draft decisions; one, by recorded vote, on a treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices; and two, without a vote, on nuclear disarmament verification and on the Treaty on the South‑East Asia Nuclear‑Weapon‑Free Zone.
With regard to related instruments, the Assembly adopted, by separate recorded votes, draft resolutions on the Comprehensive Nuclear‑Test‑Ban Treaty and on the implementation of Convention on Cluster Munitions and of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti‑Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction. Acting without a vote, it adopted draft resolutions on the Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons Which May Be Deemed to Be Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects and on the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction.
Also under the general and complete disarmament category, the following draft resolutions were adopted without a vote: assistance to States for curbing the illicit traffic in small arms and light weapons and collecting them; measures to prevent terrorists from acquiring weapons of mass destruction; relationship between disarmament and development; observance of environmental norms in the drafting and implementation of agreements on disarmament and arms control; International Day against Nuclear Tests; and on the prohibition of dumping radioactive wastes. Also without a vote, the Assembly adopted draft resolutions on problems arising from the accumulation of conventional ammunition stockpiles in surplus; transparency and confidence‑building measures in outer space activities; and the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects.
Turning to other First Committee reports, the Assembly adopted, without a vote, draft resolutions pertaining to the work of United Nations regional centres for peace and disarmament as well as the Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa, Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean and the Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific. It also adopted draft resolutions, by recorded vote, on the risk of nuclear proliferation in the Middle East; Comprehensive Nuclear‑Test‑Ban Treaty; and the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use of Nuclear Weapons.
The General Assembly will meet again on Tuesday, 5 December to consider draft resolutions and reports related to oceans and sustainable fisheries.
Action on Draft Resolutions
MARTIN ERIC SIPHO NGUNDZE (South Africa), Committee Rapporteur, introduced the reports of the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security), noting that during the main part of the seventy‑second session, it had adopted 58 resolutions and decisions, 28 of which had been adopted without a vote. Recalling the high level of cooperation in the Committee, he expressed appreciation to delegations for their constructive participation during the session.
The Assembly first took note of the report “Joint panel discussion of the First and Fourth Committees on possible challenges to space security and sustainability” (document A/72/399), containing details of the meeting held on 12 October.
The Assembly then took up the report “Reduction of military budgets” (document A/72/400), containing the draft resolution “Objective information on military matters, including transparency of military expenditures”. Acting without a vote, it adopted that text, in which the Assembly endorsed the report of the Group of Governmental Experts to Review the Operation and Further Development of the United Nations Report on Military Expenditures.
The Assembly considered the report “Implementation of the Declaration of the Indian Ocean as a Zone of Peace” (document A/72/401), containing an eponymous draft resolution. By a recorded vote of 132 in favour to 3 against (France, United Kingdom, United States), with 46 abstentions, the Assembly adopted that draft, by which it reiterated that the participation of all permanent members of the Security Council and the major maritime users of the Indian Ocean in the work of the Ad Hoc Committee was important and would greatly facilitate dialogue to advance peace, security and stability in that region.
The Assembly then took up the report “African Nuclear‑Weapon‑Free Zone Treaty” (document A/72/402), containing a draft resolution of the same name. Adopting the text without a vote, the Assembly called upon African States that had not yet done so to sign and ratify the African Nuclear‑Weapon‑Free Zone Treaty (Treaty of Pelindaba) as soon as possible.
Turning to the report “Prohibition of the development and manufacture of new types of weapons of mass destruction and new systems of such weapons: report of the Conference on Disarmament” (document A/72/403), it took up an eponymous draft decision contained therein. The Assembly adopted the text by a recorded vote of 180 in favour to 3 against (Israel, Ukraine, United States), with no abstentions. In doing so, it reaffirmed that effective measures should be taken to prevent the emergence of new types of weapons of mass destruction.
Taking up the report “Developments in the field of information and telecommunications in the context of international security” (document A/72/404), containing an eponymous draft decision, the Assembly adopted it by a recorded vote of 185 in favour to none against, with 1 abstention (Ukraine), deciding to include the item in the provisional agenda of its seventy‑third session.
The Assembly then turned to the report “Establishment of a nuclear‑weapon‑free zone in the region of the Middle East” (document A/72/405), which contained an eponymous draft resolution. Acting without a vote, the Assembly adopted the draft, by which it urged all parties to take the practical and urgent steps required for the implementation of the proposal to establish a nuclear‑weapon‑free zone in the region of the Middle East.
Next, the Assembly turned to the report “Conclusion of effective international arrangements to assure non‑nuclear‑weapon States against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons” (document A/72/406), containing a draft resolution of the same name. By a recorded vote of 125 in favour to none against, with 62 abstentions, it adopted the text. By its terms, the Assembly appealed to all States, especially nuclear‑weapon States, to work actively towards an early agreement of a common approach that could be included in a legally binding international instrument.
Next, the Assembly took up the report “Prevention of an arms race in outer space” (document A/72/407), which contained three draft resolutions. It first deferred action on draft resolution III, on “Further practical measures for the prevention of an arms race in outer space”. By the terms of that text, the Assembly would urge the Conference on Disarmament to implement a balanced and comprehensive programme of work that included the immediate commencement of negotiations on an international legally binding instrument on the prevention of an arms race in outer space, including on the prevention of the placement of weapons in outer space.
The Assembly then adopted, by a recorded vote of 182 in favour to none against, with 3 abstentions (Israel, Palau, United States), draft resolution I on “Prevention of an arms race in outer space”. By doing so, it called upon all States, in particular those with major space capabilities, to contribute actively to the objective of the peaceful use of outer space and of the prevention of an arms race in that domain.
It then adopted, by a recorded vote of 131 in favour to 4 against (Georgia, Israel, Ukraine, United States), with 48 abstentions, draft resolution II on “No first placement of weapons in outer space”, by which the Assembly reaffirmed the importance and urgency of that objective and the willingness of States to contribute to reaching that common goal, and would encourage all States, especially spacefaring nations, to consider the possibility of upholding, as appropriate, a political commitment not to be the first to place weapons in outer space.
It next turned to the report “The role of science and technology in the context of international security and disarmament” (document A/72/408), containing an eponymous draft resolution. Adopting that text without a vote, the Assembly invited Member States to apply science and technology developments for disarmament‑related purposes, and to make disarmament‑related technologies available to interested States.
The Assembly then took up the report “General and complete disarmament” (document A/72/409), containing 31 draft resolutions and 3 draft decisions. Action would be postponed to a later date on draft resolution XXVIII titled “Follow‑up to the 2013 high‑level meeting of the General Assembly on nuclear disarmament” pending a review of budget implications by the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary). By its terms, the Assembly would decide to convene, in New York from 14 to 16 May 2018, a United Nations high‑level international conference on nuclear disarmament to review the progress made in this regard.
The Assembly first considered draft resolution I on “Follow‑up to nuclear disarmament obligations agreed to at the 1995, 2000 and 2010 Review Conferences of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non‑Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons”. Prior to voting on the text as a whole, the Assembly decided to retain preambular paragraph 6 by recorded vote of 125 in favour to 5 against (Canada, Federated States of Micronesia, India, Israel, United States) with 47 abstentions. By that paragraph, the Assembly reaffirmed provisions of the resolution on the Middle East adopted on 11 May 1995 by the 1995 Review and Extension Conference related to the importance of universalizing adherence to the Non‑Proliferation Treaty.
Adopting draft resolution I as a whole, by a recorded vote of 118 in favour to 44 against, with 17 abstentions, the Assembly called for practical steps to be taken by all nuclear‑weapon States that would lead to nuclear disarmament in a way that promoted international stability and was based on the principle of undiminished security for all.
By a recorded vote of 141 in favour to 15 against, with 27 abstentions, the Assembly then adopted draft resolution II titled “Humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons”, which stressed that the immense and uncontrollable destructive capability and indiscriminate nature of nuclear weapons caused unacceptable humanitarian consequences. Also by the text, the Assembly called upon all States to prevent the use of nuclear weapons, to prevent their vertical and horizontal proliferation and to achieve nuclear disarmament.
By a recorded vote of 125 in favour to 39 against, with 14 abstentions, the Assembly adopted draft resolution III on “Taking forward multilateral nuclear disarmament negotiations”, welcoming the adoption of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons by the United Nations conference to negotiate a legally binding instrument to prohibit nuclear weapons, and calling upon all States that had not yet done so to sign and, thereafter, ratify, accept or approve the instrument.
Next, the Assembly took action on draft resolution IV on “Compliance with non‑proliferation, arms limitation and disarmament agreements and commitments”. Adopting it by a recorded vote of 173 in favour to 1 against (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea), with 11 abstentions, the Assembly called upon all concerned States to take concerted action to encourage the compliance by all nations with their respective non‑proliferation, arms limitation and disarmament agreements and with other agreed obligations, and to hold those not in compliance with such agreements in a manner consistent with the Charter of the United Nations.
Acting without a vote, the Assembly adopted draft resolution V on “Confidence‑building measures in the regional and subregional context” and called upon Member States to refrain from the use or threat of use of force in accordance with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. The Assembly also urged States to comply strictly with all bilateral, regional and international agreements to which they are party.
Next, the Assembly turned to draft resolution VI on “Regional disarmament”, adopting that text without a vote. In doing so, the Assembly called upon States to conclude agreements for nuclear non‑proliferation, disarmament and confidence‑building measures at the regional and subregional levels. The Assembly also welcomed initiatives towards disarmament, nuclear non‑proliferation and security undertaken by some countries at the regional and subregional levels.
It then took up draft resolution VII on “Conventional arms control at the regional and subregional levels”. Prior to adopting that text as a whole, the Assembly held a separate recorded vote to retain operative paragraph 2, in which it requested the Conference on Disarmament to consider the formulation of principles that can serve as a framework for regional agreements on conventional arms control. By a vote of 140 in favour to 1 against (India), with 39 abstentions, the Assembly retained operative paragraph 2.
Adopting the draft as a whole by a recorded vote of 184 in favour to 1 against (India), with 2 abstentions (Bhutan, Russian Federation), the Assembly decided to give urgent consideration to the issues involved in arms control at the regional and subregional levels.
Acting without a vote, it then adopted draft resolution VIII on “Countering the threat posed by improvised explosive devices”. By the terms of that text, the Assembly urged all States to provide support to reduce the risks posed by improvised explosive devices in a manner that considered the different needs of women, girls, boys and men. It also urged Member States to comply fully with all relevant United Nations resolutions, including those related to preventing terrorist groups from using and accessing materials that could be used in making such weapons.
The Assembly then turned its attention to draft resolution IX on “Ethical imperatives for a nuclear‑weapon‑free world”. Prior to taking up the text as a whole, the Assembly decided to retain preambular paragraph 11 by a recorded vote of 125 in favour to 37 against, with 13 abstentions. That paragraph’s text had the Assembly welcoming the adoption of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which acknowledged the ethical imperatives for nuclear disarmament.
The Assembly adopted the text as a whole by a vote of 130 in favour to 36 against, with 15 abstentions. By its terms, the Assembly called upon all States to acknowledge the catastrophic humanitarian consequences and risks posed by a nuclear weapon detonation. It also noted that all responsible States had a solemn duty to take decisions that served to protect their people and each other from the ravages of a nuclear weapon detonation.
The Assembly then took up draft resolution X on “Nuclear disarmament”, first deciding, by recorded vote, to retain two paragraphs of that text. The Assembly decided, by a recorded vote of 123 in favour to 38 against, with 11 abstentions, to retain preambular paragraph 32, welcoming the adoption of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
By a recorded vote of 172 in favour to 1 against (Pakistan), with 5 abstentions (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, France, Israel, Russian Federation, United Kingdom), the Assembly then decided to retain operative paragraph 16, which called for the immediate commencement of negotiations in the Conference on Disarmament on a non‑discriminatory, multilateral and internationally and effectively verifiable treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons.
The Assembly adopted the draft resolution as a whole by a recorded vote of 119 in favour to 41 against, with 20 abstentions. By its terms, the Assembly urged all nuclear‑weapon States to take effective disarmament measures to achieve the total elimination of all nuclear weapons at the earliest possible time. It also urged those States to stop immediately the qualitative improvement, development, production and stockpiling of nuclear warheads and their delivery systems.
The Assembly then turned to draft resolution XI titled “Towards a nuclear‑weapon‑free world: accelerating the implementation of nuclear disarmament commitments”. By that text, the Assembly would call upon the nuclear‑weapon States to fulfil their commitment to undertaking further efforts to reduce and ultimately eliminate all types of nuclear weapons.
Prior to taking up the draft as a whole, it decided, by recorded vote, to retain several paragraphs. The Assembly first decided to retain by a recorded vote of 127 in favour to 37 against, with 11 abstentions, preambular paragraph 10, welcoming the adoption of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
By a recorded vote of 169 in favour to 4 against (India, Israel, Pakistan, United States), with 6 abstentions (Bhutan, France, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, United Kingdom), the Assembly also decided to retain operative paragraph 14, which called upon all States parties to spare no effort to achieve the universality of the Treaty on the Non‑Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, and urged India, Israel and Pakistan to accede to it as non‑nuclear‑weapon States.
In addition, the Assembly decided to retain operative paragraph 22 by a recorded vote of 128 in favour to 37 against, with 11 abstentions. By that text, the Assembly called upon Member States to continue to support efforts toward effective legally binding measures for nuclear disarmament, and welcomed the adoption of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
The Assembly then adopted the draft resolution as a whole by a recorded vote of 137 in favour to 31 against, with 16 abstentions.
Acting without a vote, the Assembly then adopted draft resolution XII on “Assistance to States for curbing the illicit traffic in small arms and light weapons and collecting them”. By its terms, the Assembly encouraged the international community to support the implementation of the Economic Community of West African States Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons, Their Ammunition and Other Related Materials.
Next, the Assembly adopted by a recorded vote of 124 in favour to 49 against, with 11 abstentions, draft resolution XIII on “Reducing nuclear danger”. By the terms of the text, the Assembly called for a review of nuclear doctrines and for immediate and urgent steps to reduce the risks of unintentional and accidental use of nuclear weapons, including through de‑alerting and de‑targeting nuclear weapons.
The Assembly then adopted without a vote draft resolution XIV on “Measures to prevent terrorists from acquiring weapons of mass destruction”. In doing so, the Assembly urged all Member States to take and strengthen national measures to prevent terrorists from acquiring weapons of mass destruction, their means of delivery and materials and technologies related to their manufacture.
It then turned to draft resolution XV on “Implementation of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction”. By the terms of that text, the Assembly would strongly condemn the use of chemical weapons as indicated in the reports of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)‑United Nations Joint Investigative Mechanism of 24 August 2016 and 21 October 2016.
Prior to adopting that text as a whole, the Assembly first decided, by recorded vote, to retain a number of paragraphs of that text. By a recorded vote of 142 in favour to 9 against (Belarus, Burundi, Congo, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Iran, Nicaragua, Russian Federation, Syria, Zimbabwe) with 23 abstentions, the Assembly decided to retain preambular paragraph 4. In doing so, the Assembly re‑emphasized its unequivocal support for the decision of the OPCW Director General to continue the mission to establish the facts surrounding allegations of the use of chemical weapons for hostile purposes in Syria.
The Assembly then retained, by a recorded vote of 133 in favour to 12 against, with 25 abstentions, operative paragraph 2, in which it condemned in the strongest possible terms the use of chemical weapons as indicated in three Joint Investigative Mechanism reports.
By a recorded vote of 138 in favour to 10 against, with 26 abstentions, the Assembly retained operative paragraph 15, expressing grave concern that the Technical Secretariat was not able to resolve all identified gaps, inconsistencies and discrepancies in Syria’s declaration and, therefore, could not fully verify that Syria had submitted a declaration that could be considered accurate and complete. The Assembly would also underscore the importance of such full verification.
The Assembly then adopted the draft resolution as a whole by a recorded vote of 159 in favour to 7 against (Burundi, China, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Iran, Russian Federation, Syria, Zimbabwe), with 14 abstentions.
Next, the Assembly took up draft resolution XVI on “The Arms Trade Treaty”, adopting that text by a recorded vote of 155 in favour to none against, with 29 abstentions. In doing so, it called upon all States that have not yet done so to ratify, accept, approve or accede to the Treaty, in order to achieve its universalization. It also called upon those States parties in a position to do so to provide assistance to requesting States in order to promote the universalization of the Treaty.
It then turned its attention to draft resolution XVII on “Nuclear‑weapon‑free southern hemisphere and adjacent areas”. Prior to adopting the draft as a whole, the Assembly decided to retain preambular paragraph 6 by a recorded vote of 128 in favour to 35 against, with 12 abstentions. By that text, the Assembly welcomed the adoption of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons and its reaffirmation of the conviction that the establishment of internationally recognized nuclear‑weapon‑free zones strengthened the nuclear non‑proliferation regime and contributed towards realizing the objective of nuclear disarmament.
It then adopted draft resolution XVII as a whole by a recorded vote of 149 in favour to 5 against (France, Greece, Russian Federation, United Kingdom, United States), with 29 abstentions. In doing so, the Assembly welcomed the steps taken to conclude further nuclear‑weapon‑free zone treaties and called upon all States to consider all relevant proposals, including those on the establishment of such a zone in the Middle East.
Thereafter, the Assembly adopted without a vote draft resolution XVIII on the “Relationship between disarmament and development”, urging the international community to devote part of the resources made available by the implementation of disarmament and arms limitation agreements to economic and social development.
Also without a vote, the Assembly adopted draft resolution XIX on “Observance of environmental norms in the drafting and implementation of agreements on disarmament and arms control”. By doing so, the Assembly called upon States to adopt unilateral, bilateral, regional and multilateral measures to contribute to ensuring the application of scientific and technological progress within the framework of international security, disarmament and other related spheres, without detriment to the environment.
By a recorded vote of 130 in favour to 4 against (Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, United Kingdom, United States), with 51 abstentions, the Assembly then adopted draft resolution XX on “Promotion of multilateralism in the area of disarmament and non-proliferation”. By that draft’s terms, the Assembly called upon all Member States to renew and fulfil their commitments to multilateral cooperation as an important means of pursuing and achieving their common disarmament and non‑proliferation objectives.
Next, the Assembly took up draft resolution XXI on “Convening of the fourth special session of the General Assembly devoted to disarmament”. Adopting that text by a recorded vote of 181 in favour to none against, with 3 abstentions (France, Israel, United States), it called on Member States to call for further practical steps to be taken to decrease the operational readiness of nuclear weapons systems.
The Assembly then took up draft resolution XXII on “United action with renewed determination towards the total elimination of nuclear weapons”, which would have it call 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.
Prior to adopting the draft as a whole, the Assembly held separate recorded votes to retain eight paragraphs of that text. By a recorded vote of 158 in favour to 1 against (Russian Federation), with 17 abstentions, preambular paragraph 19 was retained, having the Assembly express deep concern at the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons use, and reaffirm the need for all States to comply at all times with applicable international law, including international humanitarian law. Also, preambular paragraph 20, which would have the Assembly recognize that the catastrophic humanitarian consequences that would result from the use of nuclear weapons should be fully understood by all, and note that efforts should be made to increase such understanding, was retained by a recorded vote of 166 in favour to 1 against (Russian Federation), with 8 abstentions (Angola, China, France, Israel, Monaco, Namibia, Rwanda, Uganda).
Subsequently, the Assembly decided to retain operative paragraph 2 by a recorded vote of 142 in favour to 7 against (Austria, Ecuador, Liechtenstein, Myanmar, New Zealand, South Africa, Switzerland) with 27 abstentions, by which it would reaffirm the unequivocal undertaking of nuclear‑weapon States to fully implement the Non‑Proliferation Treaty, and operative paragraph 5, by a recorded vote of 169 in favour to 4 against (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, India, Israel, Pakistan) with 5 abstentions (Angola, Bhutan, Namibia, Rwanda, Uganda) by which it would call upon all States to support the instrument. It also decided to retain, by a vote of 157 in favour to 2 against (Russian Federation, South Africa), with 16 abstentions, operative paragraph 8. By the paragraph’s terms, the Assembly would emphasize that deep concerns about the humanitarian consequences of the use of nuclear weapons continued to be a key factor that underpinned efforts by all States towards a nuclear‑weapon‑free world.
The Assembly decided, by a recorded vote of 164 in favour to 3 against (China, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Pakistan), with 11 abstentions, to retain operative paragraph 20, in which it would stress the vital importance and urgency for all States who had not done so to declare and maintain moratoriums on the production of fissile material for use in nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices, pending commencement of negotiations on a treaty banning its production. It also decided to retain, by a vote of 154 in favour to 4 against (Austria, Liechtenstein, Myanmar, Pakistan), with 19 abstentions, operative paragraph 21, by which it would acknowledge the widespread call for the early entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear‑Test‑Ban Treaty and the immediate commencement of negotiations on a treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices.
Operative paragraph 28 was retained by a recorded vote of 164 in favour to 1 against (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea), with 11 abstentions. By that paragraph, the Assembly would stress the fundamental role of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards and the importance of the universalization of related comprehensive agreements.
Finally, the Assembly adopted the draft resolution as a whole by a recorded vote of 156 in favour to 4 against (China, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Syria), with 24 abstentions, as orally revised.
Without a vote, the Assembly then adopted draft resolution XXIII on “International Day against Nuclear Tests”, inviting all stakeholders to commemorate that day.
Also without a vote, the Assembly adopted draft resolution XXIV on “Prohibition of the dumping of radioactive wastes”, calling on all States to take appropriate measures to prevent such activities that would infringe upon the sovereignty of States.
By a vote of 167 in favour to none against, with 17 abstentions, the Assembly then adopted draft resolution XXV on “Implementation of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti‑Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction”. By that text’s terms, the Assembly stressed the importance of implementing and complying with the instrument, including through implementing the 2014‑2019 action plan.
The Assembly then adopted, by a vote of 142 in favour to 2 against (Russian Federation, Zimbabwe), with 36 abstentions, draft resolution XXVI on “Implementation of the Convention on Cluster Munitions”. By the text, it urged all States outside the Convention to join as soon as possible, and all States parties in a position to do so to promote adherence to the instrument. The Assembly also stressed the importance of the full and effective implementation of and compliance with the Convention, including through the implementation of the Dubrovnik Action Plan.
Acting without a vote, the Assembly then adopted draft resolution XXVII on “Problems arising from the accumulation of conventional ammunition stockpiles in surplus”, by which it appealed to all interested States to determine the size and nature of their surplus stockpiles and whether external assistance was needed to eliminate any security risks.
The Assembly then postponed to a later date draft resolution XXVIII titled “Follow‑up to the 2013 high‑level meeting of the General Assembly on nuclear disarmament” (A/C.1/72/L.45/Rev.1) due to budget implications.
Without a vote, the Assembly then adopted draft resolution XXIX on “Transparency and confidence‑building measures in outer space activities”, by which it encouraged Member States to continue to review and implement the proposed measures through the relevant national mechanisms, on a voluntary basis and in a manner consistent with the national interests of Member States.
Also without a vote, the Assembly adopted draft resolution XXX on “The illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects”. In doing so, the Assembly called upon all States to, among other things, implement the International Tracing Instrument.
The Assembly then turned to draft resolution XXXI on “Follow‑up to the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on the legality of the threat or use of nuclear weapons”, which would have it call upon all States to immediately engage in multilateral negotiations leading to nuclear disarmament in all its aspects under strict and effective international control.
Prior to adopting the draft as a whole, the Assembly decided, by recorded vote, to retain two paragraphs of that text. By a vote of 125 in favour to 35 against, with 13 abstentions, preambular paragraph 16 was retained, welcoming the adoption of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
In addition, by a recorded vote of 123 in favour to 35 against, with 15 abstentions, it decided to retain operative paragraph 2, calling once again upon all States to engage in multilateral negotiations leading to nuclear disarmament.
It then adopted the draft as a whole by a recorded vote of 131 in favour to 31 against, with 18 abstentions.
The Assembly then took up draft decision I on “Treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices”. By a recorded vote of 182 in favour to 1 against (Pakistan), with 4 abstentions (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Iran, Israel, Syria), the Assembly adopted the text, welcoming the commencement of the work of the high‑level fissile material cut‑off treaty expert preparatory group.
Acting without a vote, the Assembly then adopted draft decision II on “Nuclear disarmament verification” by which it included the sub‑item in its provisional agenda for its seventy‑third session.
Also without a vote, the Assembly adopted draft decision III on the “Treaty on the South‑East Asia Nuclear‑Weapon‑Free Zone (Bangkok Treaty)”. In doing so, it included the sub‑item in the provisional agenda of its seventy‑fourth session.
The Assembly then took up the report “Review and implementation of the Concluding Document of the Twelfth Special Session of the General Assembly” (document A/72/410), containing six draft resolutions.
It first adopted, by a recorded vote of 123 in favour to 50 against, with 10 abstentions, draft resolution I on “Convention on the Prohibition of the Use of Nuclear Weapons”. By the text, the Assembly reiterated its request to the Conference on Disarmament to commence negotiations in order to reach agreement on an international convention prohibiting the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons under any circumstances.
Without a vote, the Assembly then adopted draft resolution II on “United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa”, draft resolution III on “United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean” and draft resolution IV on “United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific”.
Also without a vote, the Assembly adopted draft resolution V on “Regional confidence‑building measures: activities of the United Nations Standing Advisory Committee on Security Questions in Central Africa”, by which the General Assembly urged the members of the Standing Advisory Committee to implement the Libreville Declaration on the adoption and implementation of the regional strategy and plan of action for combating terrorism and the trafficking in small arms and light weapons in Central Africa.
Acting without a vote, the Assembly then adopted draft resolution VI on “United Nations regional centres for peace and disarmament”, by which it reiterated the importance of United Nations activities at the regional level to advance disarmament and to increase the stability and security of its Member States.
The Assembly then took up the report “Review of the implementation of the recommendations and decisions adopted by the General Assembly at its tenth special session” (document A/72/411) containing two draft resolutions. It first adopted, without a vote, draft resolution I on the “Report of the Conference on Disarmament”. By the text, the Assembly reaffirmed the role of the Conference on Disarmament as the single multilateral disarmament negotiating forum of the international community, and called on it to further intensify consultations and to explore possibilities for overcoming its dead lock by adopting and implementing a balanced and comprehensive programme of work at the earliest possible date during its 2018 session.
Also acting without a vote, the Assembly adopted draft resolution II on the “Report of the Disarmament Commission”, in which the Assembly requested the Commission to continue its work in accordance with its mandate and meet for a period not exceeding three weeks in 2018.
The Assembly then took up the report “The risk of nuclear proliferation in the Middle East” (document A/72/412) containing an eponymous draft resolution. By the text, the Assembly would call for immediate steps towards the full implementation of the resolution on the Middle East adopted by the 1995 Review and Extension Conference of the Parties to the Non‑Proliferation Treaty. It would also reaffirm the importance of Israel’s accession to that instrument and the placement of all its nuclear facilities under comprehensive IAEA safeguards.
Prior to adopting that text as a whole, the Assembly voted on two preambular paragraphs. By a recorded vote of 173 in favour to 3 against (India, Israel, Pakistan), with 2 abstentions (Bhutan, Nauru), the Assembly decided to retain preambular paragraph 5, by which it would recall the decision adopted by the 1995 Review and Extension Conference. By a vote of 172 in favour to 3 against (India, Israel, Pakistan), with 1 abstention (Bhutan), the Assembly decided to retain preambular paragraph 6, in which it would recognize the outcome document of the 2000 Review Conference.
The Assembly then adopted the draft as a whole by a recorded vote of 157 in favour to 5 against (Canada, Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Palau, United States), with 20 abstentions.
Turning to the report “Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons Which May Be Deemed to Be Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects” (document A/72/413) containing a draft resolution of the same name, the Assembly, adopting that text without a vote, called upon all States that had not yet done so to take all measures to become parties to the Convention and its Protocols. It also called upon all high contracting parties to ensure full and prompt compliance with their financial obligations under the Convention and its annexed Protocols.
The Assembly then took up the report “Strengthening of security and cooperation in the Mediterranean region” (document A/72/414), adopting, without a vote, an eponymous draft resolution contained therein. By its terms, the Assembly called upon all States of the Mediterranean region that had not yet done so to adhere to all multilaterally negotiated legal instruments related to the field of disarmament and non‑proliferation, thus creating the conditions necessary for strengthening peace and cooperation in the region. Also by the text, the Assembly encouraged Mediterranean countries to further strengthen their cooperation in combating terrorism, international crime and illicit arms transfers and illicit drug production, consumption and trafficking.
Turning to a report on the “Comprehensive Nuclear‑Test‑Ban Treaty” (document A/72/415) containing the eponymous draft resolution, the Assembly, by that text, would stress the vital importance and urgency of signature and ratification in order to achieve the instrument’s earliest entry into force.
Prior to adopting that text as a whole, the Assembly held separate recorded votes to retain two paragraphs. The Assembly decided to retain, by a recorded vote of 169 in favour to none against, with 11 abstentions, preambular paragraph 4. That paragraph would have the Assembly stress the vital importance and urgency of achieving the Treaty’s entry into force, as noted in Security Council resolution 2310 (2016), and affirm its resolute determination, 21 years after the Treaty was opened for signature, to achieve its entry into force.
By a recorded vote of 174 in favour to none against, with 6 abstentions (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, India, Israel, Pakistan, Syria, United States), it decided to retain preambular paragraph 7. By the terms of that paragraph, the Assembly would recall the adoption by consensus of conclusions and recommendations for follow‑on actions of the 2010 Non‑Proliferation Treaty Review Conference.
It then adopted the draft as a whole by a vote of 180 in favour to 1 against (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea), with 4 abstentions (India, Mauritius, Syria, United States).
The Assembly then took up the report “Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction” (document A/72/416), adopting without a vote an eponymous draft resolution contained therein. By its terms, the Assembly noted the Eighth Review Conference’s consensus outcome and the decisions on all provisions of the instrument, and called upon States parties to the Convention to participate and actively engage in their continued implementation.
Turning to the report “Revitalization of the work of the General Assembly” (document A/72/478), which contained the draft decision “Provisional programme of work and timetable of the First Committee for 2018”, the General Assembly adopted it without a vote.
Finally, the Assembly took note of the report “Programme planning” (document A/72/483).