General Assembly Adopts 56 First Committee Texts as Geopolitical Realities Test Sustainability of Non-Proliferation Regime, Scuttle Consensus

Two Seats Filled on Peacebuilding Commission’s Organizational Committee

With the sustainability of the non-proliferation regime under strain, the geopolitical context unpredictable, and perils to peace capricious and complex, the General Assembly today adopted 55 resolutions and 1 decision on the recommendation of its First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) with most failing to achieve consensus.

The Assembly, acting on the Committee’s recommendation, followed its voting pattern of 148 recorded votes, which reflected a retrenchment of divisive positions in the disarmament community.  Of 61 draft resolutions and decisions —six were postponed owing to programme budget implications — only 21 were adopted without a vote. All sought to bolster a deteriorating global security situation amid growing threats posed by, among others, the use of nuclear and other mass destruction weapons and misuse of information and communication technologies.   

Introducing the texts and recapping this Fall’s session, Committee Rapporteur Heidar Ali Balouji (Iran) said that 151 delegations made statements during the general debate segment, a record high since the data collection.  An impressive 375 interventions were made during the thematic discussion segment, compared to the past high of 365 last year.  Delegations exercised the right of reply nearly 150 times, not counting second interventions. 

The package of resolutions before the Assembly concerned nuclear and other mass destruction weapons, the disarmament aspects of outer space, conventional weapons, other disarmament measures and international security, regional disarmament and security, and the United Nations disarmament machinery.

Included among those was a new resolution titled, “Prohibiting the use of radiological weapons” (document A/78/409), which was adopted by a recorded vote of 164 in favour to 4 against (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Iran, Russian Federation, Syria), with 13 abstentions, following a separate recorded vote on a preambular paragraph. 

By the text, the Assembly emphasized that radiological weapons are a unique category distinct and separate from nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, and called on all States not to use them, and not to develop, produce or stockpile devices or materials for their use, while avoiding interference with the legitimate uses of radioactive materials.  

The Assembly urged the Conference on Disarmament to adopt, in 2024, a comprehensive and balanced programme of work that includes negotiations to conclude, as an initial step on this issue, a legally binding multilateral ban on radiological weapons use by States. 

Also adopted was a draft resolution titled “No first placement of weapons in outer space” (document A/78/407) by a recorded vote of 127 in favour to 51 against, with 6 abstentions (Côte d’Ivoire, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, South Sudan, Switzerland, Türkiye), following 3 separate recorded votes on preambular paragraphs. 

According to its terms, the Assembly encouraged all States, especially space-faring nations, to consider the possibility of upholding a political commitment not to be the first to place weapons in outer space. It reiterated that the Conference on Disarmament, as the single multilateral negotiating forum on this subject, has the primary role in negotiating a multilateral agreement, or agreements, on the prevention of an arms race in outer space in all its aspects.

It urged an early commencement of substantive work based on the updated draft treaty on the prevention of the placement of weapons in outer space and the threat or use of force against outer space objects, introduced by China and the Russian Federation in 2008.

A draft resolution titled “Reducing space threats through norms, rules and principles of responsible behaviours” (document A/78/407) was also adopted, by a recorded vote of 166 in favour to 9 against (Belarus, China, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Iran, Mali, Nicaragua, Russian Federation, Syria), with 4 abstentions (India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan), following 11 separate recorded votes on preambular and operative paragraphs. 

The text had the Assembly welcome the deliberations in 2022 and 2023 by the Open-Ended Working Group on reducing space threats through those means, and decide to convene in Geneva a new open-ended working group to make recommendations on the prevention of an arms race in outer space.  

The Assembly also decided to consider how the implementation of norms, rules and principles of responsible behaviours could be monitored and verified, including through the possible establishment of a mechanism for inter-State coordination and consultation.  It also decided that the open-ended working group should submit its report to the Assembly at its eighty-first session. 

In further action, the Assembly adopted a draft resolution titled “Programme of action to advance responsible State behaviour in the use of information and communications technologies in the context of international security” (document A/78/404) by a recorded vote of 161 in favour to 9 against (Belarus, Burundi, China, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Iran, Mali, Nicaragua, Russian Federation, Syria), with 11 abstentions.  

By the text, the Assembly decided to establish a mechanism under UN auspices, upon the 2021-2025 Open-ended Working Group’s conclusion and no later than 2026, that will be permanent, inclusive and action-oriented for regular institutional dialogue.  The Assembly also decided that this mechanism’s scope, structure, content and modalities shall be based on consensus outcomes of the Group, taking into account the Secretary-General’s report, views submitted by States, regional consultations and dialogue.  

Also adopted today was a wide-ranging text titled, “Steps to building a common roadmap towards a world without nuclear weapons” (document A/78/409).  It passed by a recorded vote of 148 in favour to 7 against (China, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Iran, Nicaragua, Russian Federation, South Africa, Syria), with 29 abstentions, following 17 recorded votes on preambular and operative paragraphs. 

By its terms, the Assembly expressed deep concern at the deteriorated international security environment, including the ongoing actions against Ukraine, as well as irresponsible nuclear rhetoric affecting regional and international security, which, it said, makes the threat of nuclear weapons use higher today than at any time since the cold war. 

Further to the text, the Assembly recognized that the nuclear risk will persist as long as nuclear weapons exist, and urged all States, especially the nuclear-weapon States, to make every effort to ensure nuclear weapons are never used again, pending their total elimination, and to refrain from any inflammatory rhetoric on their use.

It reaffirmed the importance of full adherence by all nuclear-weapon States to all existing commitments related to security assurances given to non-nuclear-weapon States parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), either unilaterally or multilaterally.  It urged all States, especially the nuclear-weapon States, to undertake further efforts to reduce and ultimately eliminate all types of nuclear weapons, deployed and non-deployed, regardless of their location, through unilateral, bilateral, regional and multilateral measures.

Consideration of the following draft proposals was postponed to allow the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) to discuss their budgetary implications:  Developments in the field of information and telecommunications in the context of international security; Open-ended working group on security of and in the use of information and communications technologies 2021-2025 established pursuant to General Assembly resolution 75/240; Nuclear disarmament verification; Addressing the Legacy of Nuclear Weapons:  Providing Victim Assistance and Environmental Remediation to Member States Affected by the Use or Testing of Nuclear Weapons; Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems; and Further practical measures for the prevention of an arms race in outer space.   

In other business today, the Assembly elected Poland and Uruguay as members of the Organizational Committee of the Peacebuilding Commission for a two-year term of office beginning on 1 January 2024. 

Action on First Committee Reports 

The Assembly first took note of the report titled “Reduction of military budgets” (document A/78/400), which contains no draft proposals.

The Assembly adopted the draft resolution titled “Implementation of the Declaration of the Indian Ocean as a Zone of Peace” (document A/78/401) by a recorded vote of 138 in favour to 4 against (France, Israel, United Kingdom, United States), with 42 abstentions. 

By the text, the Assembly reiterated its conviction that the participation of all permanent members of the Security Council and major maritime users of the Indian Ocean in the Ad Hoc Committee’s work is important and would assist the progress of a mutually beneficial dialogue to develop conditions of peace, security and stability in the region. 

Acting without a vote, the Assembly adopted the draft resolution titled “African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty” (document A/78/402).

By the text, the Assembly called upon African States that have not yet done so to sign and ratify the Treaty (Treaty of Pelindaba) as soon as possible.  It expressed its appreciation for the nuclear-weapon States that have signed the Protocols that concern them and called on those that have not yet ratified them to do so as soon as possible.  It called on the States contemplated in Protocol III that have not yet done so to ensure the Treaty’s speedy application to territories for which they are, de jure or de facto, internationally responsible and which lie within the limits of the geographical zone established in the Treaty. 

The Assembly then adopted the draft resolution titled “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/78/403), by a recorded vote of 180 in favour to 3 against (Israel, Ukraine, United States), with 1 abstention (South Sudan). 

By the text, it requested the Conference on Disarmament to keep under review the emergence of new types of weapons of mass destruction with a view to make recommendations when necessary on specific negotiations on identified types of such weapons.  It also called upon all States to give favourable consideration immediately to any recommendations of the Conference on Disarmament. 

The Assembly then considered the report titled “Developments in the field of information and telecommunications in the context of international security” (document A/78/404).

It postponed the consideration of draft resolution I by the same name to allow time for a review of its programme budget implications by the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary).

The Assembly turned to draft resolution II, titled “Programme of action to advance responsible State behaviour in the use of information and communications technologies in the context of international security”.

It first retained operative paragraph 4 by a recorded vote of 139 in favour to 10 against (Belarus, Burundi, China, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Iran, Mali, Nicaragua, Russian Federation, Somalia, Syria), with 18 abstentions.  The provision concerns the establishment of a mechanism under UN auspices, upon the conclusion of the 2021-2025 Open-ended Working Group and no later than 2026, that will be permanent, inclusive and action-oriented with the objectives affirmed in General Assembly resolution 77/37 and with the common elements for future regular institutional dialogue agreed by consensus in the 2023 annual progress report of the 2021-2025 Open-ended Working Group.

The Assembly then adopted the draft as a whole by a recorded vote of 161 in favour to 9 against (Belarus, Burundi, China, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Iran, Mali, Nicaragua, Russian Federation, Syria), with 11 abstentions.  Further to the text, the Assembly decided that the scope, structure, content and modalities of this mechanism shall be based on consensus outcomes of the Group, taking into account the Secretary-General’s report, views submitted by States, regional consultations and dialogue.

Next, the Assembly postponed consideration of the draft decision titled “Open-ended working group on security of and in the use of information and communications technologies 2021-2025 established pursuant to General Assembly resolution 75/240” to allow time for a review by the Fifth Committee.

The Assembly then adopted the draft resolution titled “Establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the region of the Middle East” (document A/78/405) by a recorded vote of 179  in favour to 1  against (Israel), with 3 abstentions (Cameroon, South Sudan, United States).

The text urged all parties directly concerned to take the steps required for the implementation of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East and called on all countries of the region to agree to place all their nuclear activities under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards.  It invited those countries, pending the zone’s establishment, not to develop, produce, test or otherwise acquire nuclear weapons or permit the stationing on their territories, or territories under their control, of nuclear weapons.

Next, the Assembly adopted the draft resolution titled “Conclusion of effective international arrangements to assure non-nuclear-weapon States against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons” (document A/78/406) by a recorded vote of 123 in favour to none against, with 62 abstentions.    

By it terms, the Assembly reaffirmed the urgent need to reach an early agreement on effective arrangements to assure non-nuclear-weapon States against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons.  It appealed to all States, especially the nuclear-weapon States, to work actively towards an early agreement on a common approach, particularly on a common formula that could be included in a legally binding international instrument.  It recommended that the Conference on Disarmament actively continue intensive negotiations with a view to reaching early agreement and concluding effective international agreements in that regard.     

Turning to the report titled “Prevention of an arms race in outer space” (document A/78/407), the Assembly adopted without a vote draft resolution I, by the same name.  In so doing, it called on all States, in particular those with major space capabilities, to contribute actively to the objective, and to refrain from actions contrary to it and the relevant existing treaties.  It reiterated that the Disarmament Committee has the primary role in negotiating a multilateral agreement or agreements on the prevention of an outer space arms race.    

The Assembly then turned to draft resolution II of the report, titled “Reducing space threats through norms, rules and principles of responsible behaviours”.  

It first retained preambular paragraph 8 by a recorded vote of 154 in favour to 8  against (Belarus, China, Cuba, Iran, Mali, Nicaragua, Russian Federation, Syria), with 3 abstentions (India, Niger, Sri Lanka).  The provision stresses that the deliberate destruction of space systems increases the potential for misunderstanding and miscalculations that could lead to conflict.  It welcomes the commitment of several States not to conduct destructive direct-ascent anti-satellite missile tests. 

It next retained preambular paragraph 13 by a recorded vote of 153 in favour to 9  against (Belarus, China, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Iran, Mali, Nicaragua, Russian Federation, Syria), with 2  abstentions (India, Saudi Arabia).  The provision expresses conviction that possible solutions to outer space security, including norms, rules and principles of responsible behaviours, can involve a mix of legally binding obligations and political commitments, and that work in both areas can be pursued in a progressive, sustained and complementary manner, without undermining existing legal obligations.    

Preambular paragraph 15 was retained by a recorded vote of 153 in favour to 9  against (Belarus, China, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Iran, Mali, Nicaragua, Russian Federation, Syria), with 2 abstentions (India, Saudi Arabia).  It reiterates the need for all States to work together to reduce threats to space systems through the further development and implementation of norms, rules and principles of responsible behaviours, including an appropriate combination of both political commitments and legally binding instruments.    

The Assembly retained operative paragraph 2 by a recorded vote of 150 in favour to 9  against (Belarus, China, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Iran, Mali, Nicaragua, Russian Federation, Syria), with 2 abstentions (India, Sri Lanka).  The provision welcomes the 2022 and 2023 deliberations by the Open-Ended Working Group on reducing space threats through norms, rules and principles of responsible behaviours established by the General Assembly, which, together with the working papers and presentations submitted to it, contributes to outer space security and the prevention of an arms race in outer space.

The Assembly retained operative paragraph 4 by a recorded vote of 145 in favour to 9 against (Belarus, China, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Iran, Mali, Nicaragua, Russian Federation, Syria), with 9 abstentions (Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, Egypt, India, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Togo), by which  the Assembly decided to convene, in Geneva, a new open-ended working group, building on the work of the 2022–2023 Open-Ended Working Group and other relevant bodies, including the Group of Governmental Experts established by its resolution 77/250 to further elaborate the concept.    

It retained operative paragraph 5 by a recorded vote of 149 in favour to 9 against (Belarus, China, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Iran, Mali, Nicaragua, Russian Federation, Syria), with 7 abstentions (Brunei Darussalam, India, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Mexico, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Togo).  By it, the Assembly decided that the open-ended working group shall submit its report to the General Assembly at its eighty-first session, and that it shall adopt its final conclusions and recommendations by consensus.    

The Assembly retained operative paragraph 6 by a recorded vote of 149 in favour to 9 against (Belarus, China, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Iran, Mali, Nicaragua, Russian Federation, Syria), with 5 abstentions (Brunei Darussalam, India, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Sri Lanka, Togo), by which it decided that the open-ended working group shall hold a two-day organizational session and two substantive sessions of five days each in 2025, and two substantive sessions of five days each in 2026.    

Operative paragraph 7 held by a recorded vote of 129 in favour to 9 against (Belarus, China, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Iran, Mali, Nicaragua, Russian Federation, Syria), with 25 abstentions.  According to it, the Assembly reaffirmed that intergovernmental organizations and other entities having received a standing invitation to participate as observers in the General Assembly’s work and representatives of non-governmental organizations that are in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council may participate in the formal and informal meetings of the open-ended working group as observers.    

The Assembly retained operative paragraph 8 by a recorded vote of 126 in favour to 9 against (Belarus, China, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Iran, Mali, Nicaragua, Russian Federation, Syria), with 25 abstentions, concerning participation in the open-ended working group.     

The Assembly retained operative paragraph 9 by a recorded vote of 151 in favour to 9 against (Belarus, China, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Iran, Mali, Nicaragua, Russian Federation, Syria), with 5 abstentions (Brunei Darussalam, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Togo).  By it, the Assembly requested the Secretary-General to provide all necessary assistance to the open-ended working group and its Chair and to transmit its report to the Conference on Disarmament and the Disarmament Commission.    

The Assembly retained operative paragraph 10 by a recorded vote of 153 in favour to 9 against (Belarus, China, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Iran, Mali, Nicaragua, Russian Federation, Syria), with 2 abstentions (India, Sri Lanka), deciding to include in the provisional agenda of its next session, under the item “Prevention of an arms race in outer space”, the sub-item entitled “Reducing space threats through norms, rules and principles of responsible behaviours”.    

The Assembly adopted the resolution as a whole by a recorded vote of 166 in favour to 9 against (Belarus, China, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Iran, Mali, Nicaragua, Russian Federation, Syria), with 4 abstentions (India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan).  By so doing, it welcomed the deliberations in 2022 and 2023 of the Open-Ended Working Group and decided to convene in Geneva a new such group to make recommendations on the prevention of an arms race in outer space.    It also decided to consider how the implementation of norms, rules and principles of responsible behaviours could be verified, including through the possible establishment of a mechanism for inter-State coordination.    

The Assembly then turned to draft resolution III, titled “No first placement of weapons in outer space”.   

Prior to voting on the draft as a whole, it retained preambular paragraph 5 by a recorded vote of 118 in favour to 49 against, with 6 abstentions (Côte d’Ivoire, Haiti, Papua New Guinea, South Sudan, Switzerland, Türkiye), which reaffirmed that practical measures should be taken in the search for agreements to prevent an outer space arms race in a common effort towards a community of shared future for humankind.    

The Assembly retained preambular paragraph 9 by a recorded vote of 115 in favour to 48 against, with 6 abstentions (Côte d’Ivoire, Mauritius, Papua New Guinea, South Sudan, Switzerland, Türkiye).  It welcomed the draft treaty on the prevention of the placement of weapons in outer space and of the threat or use of force against outer space objects, introduced by China and the Russian Federation at the Conference on Disarmament in 2008, and its updated version in 2014.    

It retained preambular paragraph 11 by a recorded vote of 119 in favour to 48 against, with 5 abstentions (Côte d’Ivoire, Papua New Guinea, South Sudan, Switzerland, Türkiye), by which the Assembly stressed the importance of the political statements made by several States that they would not be the first to place weapons in outer space.    

The Assembly adopted the text as a whole by a recorded vote of 127 in favour to 51 against, with 6 abstentions (Côte d’Ivoire, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, South Sudan, Switzerland, Türkiye).  In so doing, it encouraged all States, especially space-faring nations, to consider the possibility of upholding a political commitment not to be the first to place weapons in outer space.   It reiterated that the Conference on Disarmament has the primary role in the negotiation of a multilateral agreement, or agreements, on the prevention of an arms race in outer space.  It urged an early commencement of substantive work based on the updated draft treaty introduced by China and the Russian Federation.   

The Assembly postponed consideration of draft resolution IV, titled “Further practical measures for the prevention of an arms race in outer space” to allow time for the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) to review its programme budget implications.    

Acting without a vote, the Assembly adopted the draft resolution titled “Role of science and technology in the context of international security and disarmament” (document A/78/408), by which it called upon Member States to remain vigilant in understanding new and emerging developments in science and technology that could imperil international security.

Next, the Assembly considered 35 draft resolutions in the report “General and complete disarmament” (document A/78/409).  

Acting without a vote, the Assembly adopted draft resolution I, “Relationship between disarmament and development”, by which it urged the international community to devote to economic and social development part of the resources from disarmament and arms limitation agreements.  

Also acting without a vote, the Assembly adopted draft resolution II, “Convening of the fourth special session of the General Assembly devoted to disarmament”, by which it encouraged Member States to continue consultations on next steps for the convening.  

In further action without a vote, the Assembly adopted draft resolution III, “Observance of environmental norms in the drafting and implementation of agreements on disarmament and arms control”, by which it called upon States to adopt measures to apply scientific and technological progress in the framework of international security and disarmament, without detriment to the environment or its contribution to sustainable development.  

The Assembly then adopted draft resolution IV, “Promotion of multilateralism in the area of disarmament and non-proliferation”, by a recorded vote of 130 in favour to 5 against (Israel, Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, United Kingdom, United States), with 50 abstentions.  It calls on States to fulfil their commitments to multilateral cooperation and requests States parties of relevant instruments to resolve non-compliance and implementation concerns.  

Turning to draft resolution V, “Follow-up to the 2013 high-level meeting of the General Assembly on nuclear disarmament”, the Assembly retained preambular paragraph 6 by a recorded vote of 139 in favour to 2 against (Israel, United States), with 29 abstentions.  By the provision, it acknowledged the significant contribution of nuclear-weapon-free zones to disarmament and strongly supported the speedy establishment of such a zone in the Middle East.  

The Assembly also retained preambular paragraph 12 by a recorded vote of 125 in favour to 18 against, with 26 abstentions, by which it noted the adoption with a vote of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons on 7 July 2017 and its entry into force on 22 January 2021.  

Further, the Assembly retained preambular paragraph 14 by a recorded vote of 121 in favour to 39 against, with 12 abstentions, by which it expressed its concern that improvements in existing nuclear weapons and the development of new types violate legal disarmament obligations and contravene negative security assurances.  

The Assembly then adopted the resolution as a whole by a recorded vote of 140 in favour to 35 against, with 10 abstentions (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Georgia, Japan, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, South Sudan, Switzerland).  Further to the text, the Assembly called for urgent compliance with legal obligations and for the urgent start of negotiations in the Conference on Disarmament to achieve the total elimination of nuclear weapons, including through a comprehensive convention.  

Turning to draft resolution VI, “Treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices”, the Assembly retained preambular paragraph 3 by a recorded vote of 145 in favour to 4 against (China, Mali, Pakistan, Russian Federation), with 24 abstentions.  By the provision, it stressed the importance of political will to make progress and welcomed the commemorative high-level event on the margins of the Assembly’s high-level week in September 2023.  

The Assembly also retained preambular paragraph 5 by a recorded vote of 156 in favour to 1 against (Pakistan), with 12 abstentions, by which it expressed grave concern by years of stalemate in the Conference on Disarmament and regretted that negotiations have not been pursued on this issue.  

It retained preambular paragraph 8 by a recorded vote of 159 in favour to 2 against (China, Pakistan), with 10 abstentions (Burundi, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, India, Iran, Israel, Nicaragua, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria).  It welcomed the voluntary moratoriums by some nuclear-weapon States on fissile material production as an important interim step before a non-discriminatory, multilateral and verifiable treaty banning it.  

The second operative paragraph held by a recorded vote of 152 in favour to 4 against (China, Mali, Pakistan, Russian Federation), with 17 abstentions.  By it, the Assembly called on Member States to make innovative contributions in all appropriate forums to facilitate negotiations on a treaty banning fissile material production.  

Operative paragraph 3 was retained by a recorded vote of 150 in favour to 3 against (China, India, Pakistan), with 20 abstentions, which called on States possessing or producing fissile material to declare it and uphold a voluntary moratorium on production.  

The fourth operative paragraph was retained by a recorded vote of 144 in favour to 5 against (China, India, Mali, Pakistan, Russian Federation), with 22 abstentions.  It called upon States possessing or producing fissile material to engage in transparency and confidence-building measures with a view to launching negotiations on a treaty banning such production.  

The Assembly then adopted the resolution as a whole by a recorded vote of 160 in favour to 5 against (China, Iran, Mali, Pakistan, Russian Federation), with 20 abstentions. Further to the text, it urged the Disarmament Conference to immediately start negotiations on such a treaty based on document CD/1299.  

Turning to draft resolution VII, “Implementation of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction”, the Assembly retained preambular paragraph 6 by a recorded vote of 112 in favour to 8 against (Belarus, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Iran, Mali, Nicaragua, Russian Federation, Syria), with 39 abstentions.  By so doing, it re-emphasized its unequivocal support for the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to continue establishing the facts surrounding allegations of such weapons use for hostile purposes in Syria.  

The Assembly also retained operative paragraph 2 by a recorded vote of 87 in favour to 11 against, with 58 abstentions, which condemned in the strongest possible terms the use of a toxic chemical as a weapon against Alexei Navalny in the Russian Federation.  

Further, the Assembly retained the third operative paragraph by a recorded vote of 104 in favour to 11 against, with 42 abstentions, which condemned in the strongest possible terms that chemical weapons have since 2012 been used in Iraq, Malaysia, Syria and the United Kingdom.  

It retained operative paragraph 4 by a recorded vote of 106 in favour to 11 against, with 40 abstentions.  By the provision, the Assembly took note with great concern reports of the OPCW’s fact-finding mission, which concluded reasonable grounds to believe a toxic chemical or vesicant chemical substance had been used as a weapon in Ltamenah, Saraqib, Duma, Marea and Kafr Zayta in Syria.  

The fifth operative paragraph held by a recorded vote of 104 in favour to 10 against (Belarus, Bolivia, China, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Iran, Mali, Nicaragua, Russian Federation, Syria), with 43 abstentions.  By the provision, the Assembly took note of the fact-finding mission’s report on 28 June 2023, which concluded that information obtained did not provide reasonable grounds to determine that chemicals were used as a weapon in Kharbit Massasneh, Syria.  

The Assembly retained operative paragraph 6 by a recorded vote of 102 in favour to 10 against (Belarus, China, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Iran, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Mali, Nicaragua, Russian Federation, Syria), with 47 abstentions.  By the provision, the Assembly recalled the adoption of decisions C-SS-4/DEC.3, EC-94/DEC.2 and C-25/DEC.9 and stressed the importance of their implementation.  

Operative paragraph 7 was retained by a recorded vote of 115 in favour to 7 against (Belarus, China, Iran, Mali, Nicaragua, Russian Federation, Syria), with 34 abstentions, recalling decision C-26/DEC.10 of the Conference of States Parties, entitled “Understanding regarding the aerosolized use of central nervous system-acting chemicals for law enforcement purposes”.    

The Assembly retained operative paragraph 21 by a recorded vote of 107 in favour to 9 against (Belarus, China, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Iran, Mali, Nicaragua, Russian Federation, Syria), with 43 abstentions. By the provision, the Assembly expressed grave concern that the Technical Secretariat assesses that Syria’s declaration still cannot be considered accurate and complete, despite the verified destruction of all 27 chemical weapons production facilities declared.  

The Assembly then adopted the resolution as a whole by a recorded vote of 159 in favour to 7 against (China, Iran, Mali, Nicaragua, Russian Federation, Syria, Zimbabwe), with 16 abstentions, by which it condemned in the strongest possible terms the use of chemical weapons by anyone under any circumstances as a violation of international law and urged all States parties to the Convention to fully meet their obligations on time.  

Turning to draft resolution VIII, “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”, the Assembly retained preambular paragraph 6 by a recorded vote of 113 in favour to 3 against (Federated States of Micronesia, India, Israel), with 53 abstentions, reaffirming the resolution on the Middle East adopted by the 1995 Review Conference.

The Assembly then adopted the resolution as a whole by a recorded vote of 116 in favour to 45 against, with 19 abstentions, calling for nuclear-weapon States to unilaterally reduce their arsenals, increase transparency on nuclear capabilities and diminish the role of such weapons in their security policies.  

Turning to draft resolution IX, “Youth, disarmament and non-proliferation”, the Assembly retained preambular paragraph 12 by a recorded vote of 167 in favour to none against, with 3 abstentions (Iran, Russian Federation, Syria).  By the provision, the Assembly noted action 38 of the Secretary-General’s disarmament agenda, which describes the young generation as the ultimate force for change and proposes actions to promote youth engagement.  

It then adopted the resolution as a whole without a vote, by which it called upon Member States, the UN and other organizations to consider developing and implementing policies and programmes for young people to increase constructive engagement in disarmament and non-proliferation.

Next, the Assembly adopted draft resolution X, “Implementation of the Convention on Cluster Munitions”, by a recorded vote of 148 in favour to 1 against (Russian Federation), with 36 abstentions.  By the text, the Assembly urged all States not party to the Convention to ratify or accede to it as soon as possible.  

Turning to draft resolution XI, “Follow-up to the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on the legality of the threat or use of nuclear weapons”, the Assembly retained preambular paragraph 10 by a recorded vote of 141 in favour to 2 against (Mali, Russian Federation), with 30 abstentions.  It noted efforts towards realizing nuclear disarmament, including through the Secretary-General’s disarmament agenda.    

The Assembly also retained preambular paragraph 18 by a recorded vote of 113 in favour to 41 against, with 12 abstentions, by which it welcomed the entry into force of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.  

The Assembly retained operative paragraph 2 by a recorded vote of 116 in favour to 40 against, with 12 abstentions, by which it called on all States to immediately engage in multilateral negotiations leading to nuclear disarmament.    

The Assembly then adopted the resolution as a whole by a recorded vote of 135 in favour to 35 against, with 15 abstentions.  Further to the text, the Assembly underlined the unanimous conclusion of the International Court of Justice that an obligation exists to conclude negotiations leading to nuclear disarmament in all its aspects under strict and effect international control. 

Next, the Assembly adopted draft resolution XII, “Humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons”, by a recorded vote of 141 in favour to 11 against, with 33 abstentions.  By the text, the Assembly stressed that the catastrophic effects of nuclear weapon detonation, whether by accident, miscalculation or design, cannot be adequately addressed.

The Assembly then adopted draft resolution XIII, “Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons”, by a recorded vote of 123 in favour to 43 against, with 17 abstentions, calling upon all States that have not yet done so to sign, ratify or accede to the Treaty at the earliest possible date.

Acting without a vote, the Assembly adopted draft resolution XIV, “Regional disarmament”, by which it called upon States to conclude agreements for nuclear non-proliferation, disarmament and confidence-building measures at regional and subregional levels.  

Turning to draft resolution XV, “Conventional arms control at the regional and subregional level”, the Assembly retained preambular paragraph 7 by a recorded vote of 171 in favour to 1 against (India), with 2 abstentions (Poland, Russian Federation), by which it noted the start of consultations among Latin American countries and proposals for conventional arms control in South Asia.  

The Assembly also retained operative paragraph 2, by a recorded vote of 116 in favour to 1 against (India), with 50 abstentions, requesting the Conference on Disarmament to consider the formulation of principles that can serve as a framework for regional agreements on conventional arms control.

The Assembly then adopted the resolution as a whole by a recorded vote of 186 in favour to 1 against (India), with no abstentions.  Further to the text, the Assembly decided to urgently consider the issues involved in conventional arms control at the regional and subregional levels.

Next, acting without a vote, the Assembly adopted draft resolution XVI, “Confidence-building measures in the regional and subregional context”, by which it called upon Member States to refrain from the use or threat of force and urged States to strictly comply with all bilateral, regional and international agreements to which they are party.

Turning to draft resolution XVII, “Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone (Bangkok Treaty)”, the Assembly retained operative paragraph 2 by a recorded vote of 170 in favour to none against, with 2 abstentions (Belarus, Russian Federation).  In so doing, it recognized the intention of States parties to continue exploring the possibility of allowing individual nuclear-weapon States to sign and ratify the Treaty’s Protocol without reservations.

The Assembly then adopted the resolution as a whole without a vote.  

Turning to draft resolution XVIII, “Steps to building a common roadmap towards a world without nuclear weapons”, the Assembly retained preambular paragraph 3 by a recorded vote of 133 in favour to 2 against (India, Pakistan), with 30 abstentions, by which it reaffirmed its determination to fully and steadily implement the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and to further enhance its universality.

The Assembly retained preambular paragraph 5 by a recorded vote of 125 in favour to 6 against (China, Cuba, Iran, Nicaragua, Russian Federation, Syria), with 31 abstentions. By the provision, the Assembly noted the deliberations at the working group on further strengthening the NPT review process, the first session of the Preparatory Committee of the Eleventh Review Conference of the NPT Parties and the Chair’s draft factual summary.

It retained the sixth preambular paragraph by a recorded vote of 103 in favour to 3 against (China, Russian Federation, Syria), with 52 abstentions, which expressed deep concern at the deteriorated international security environment, including the ongoing actions against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, as well as irresponsible nuclear rhetoric that makes the threat of nuclear weapons use higher than at any time since the heights of the cold war, and shared the concern of non-nuclear-weapon States at the rapid and non-transparent quantitative expansion and qualitative improvement of forces by some nuclear-weapon States and the continued role of nuclear weapons in security policies.

The Assembly retained preambular paragraph 7 by a recorded vote of 98 in favour to 3 against (China, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Russian Federation), with 56 abstentions.  By the provision, the Assembly expressed profound regret over the Russian Federation’s purported suspension of the Treaty with the United States on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms (New START Treaty) and stressed the urgency of the Treaty’s return to full implementation.   It called for good faith negotiations on a successor framework to New START before its expiration in 2026.

The Assembly retained preambular paragraph 10 by a recorded vote of 138 in favour to 3 against (China, Pakistan, Russian Federation), with 25 abstentions.  By the provision, the Assembly recalled that 2023 marks the thirtieth year since the consensual adoption of an Assembly resolution calling for a treaty banning the production of fissile material for use in nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices and welcomed efforts in this regard.

The Assembly retained preambular paragraph 11 by a recorded vote of 130 in favour to 3 against (Iran, Russian Federation, South Africa), with 29 abstentions, by which it reaffirmed the importance of full adherence by all nuclear-weapon States to all existing obligations and commitments related to security assurances given to non-nuclear-weapon States parties to the NPT, either unilaterally or multilaterally, including the commitments under the Memorandum on Security Assurances in Connection with Ukraine’s Accession to the NPT of 1994.

The Assembly retained preambular paragraph 12 by a recorded vote of 127 in favour to none against, with 34 abstentions, by which it encouraged the establishment of further nuclear-weapon-free zones, where appropriate, on the basis of arrangements freely arrived at among States of the region concerned.

The Assembly retained preambular paragraph 14 by a recorded vote of 156 in favour to 1 against (Israel), with 6 abstentions (Burundi, India, Iran, Namibia, South Sudan, Syria).  By the provision, the Assembly recognized the importance of the decisions and the resolution on the Middle East of the 1995 NPT Review and Extension Conference and the outcomes of the 2000 and 2010 Review Conferences and reaffirmed its support for establishing a Middle East zone free of nuclear and all other weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems.

The Assembly retained preambular paragraph 18 by a recorded vote of 156 in favour to 4 against (China, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, France, Russian Federation), with 4 abstentions (Burundi, Monaco, Pakistan, Syria).  The provision reiterated deep concern at the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of the use of nuclear weapons, reaffirmed that this awareness ought to continue to underpin approaches and efforts towards nuclear disarmament and welcomed the visits of leaders, youth and others to Hiroshima and Nagasaki in this regard.

The Assembly retained preambular paragraph 19 by a vote of 148 in favour to 3 against (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, France, Russian Federation), with 12 abstentions, by which it acknowledged that the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons was adopted on 7 July 2017 and noted it was opened for signature by the UN Secretary-General on 20 September 2017, entered into force on 22 January 2021 and held its first meeting of States parties from 21 to 23 June 2022. 

The Assembly retained preambular paragraph 20 by a vote of 145 in favour to 3 against (Egypt, Iran, South Africa), with 16 abstentions.  By the provision, the Assembly reaffirmed the inalienable right of all States parties to the NPT to develop research, production and use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes without discrimination, as well as the importance of nuclear safeguards, safety and security for the fullest possible use and exchange of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, and stressed that the further development of peaceful nuclear applications can contribute significantly to the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Assembly retained preambular paragraph 22 by a recorded vote of 148 in favour to 2 against (China, Russian Federation), with 14 abstentions, by which it noted that further work is required to ensure the transparency, verifiability and irreversibility of nuclear disarmament while enhancing accountability and welcomed the deliberations at the working group on further strengthening the NPT’s review process as well as transparency and reporting measures by some nuclear-weapon States on nuclear policy, doctrine and budgeting, including public sharing of information on modernization plans.

The Assembly retained operative paragraph 3 by a recorded vote of 141 in favour to 2 against (China, Russian Federation), with 21 abstentions, thereby calling upon all States, in particular nuclear-weapon States, to apply principles of irreversibility, verifiability and transparency to implement their NPT obligations; to immediately pursue enhanced transparency measures related to their arsenals and capabilities, without prejudice to their national security; and to provide frequent and detailed reporting on the Treaty’s implementation and opportunities for discussion.  It called on nuclear-weapon States that have yet to do so to engage with non-nuclear-weapon States in a dialogue on transparency.

The Assembly retained operative paragraph 5 by a recorded vote of 141 in favour to 3 against (China, Pakistan, Russian Federation), with 20 abstentions, by which it called upon the Conference on Disarmament to immediately commence and bring to an early conclusion negotiations on a non-discriminatory, multilateral and internationally verifiable treaty banning fissile material production for use in nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices in accordance with CD/1299 and the mandate therein.

The Assembly retained operative paragraph 6 by a recorded vote of 148 in favour to 1 against (China), with 11 abstentions, thereby emphasizing that the transparency of civil plutonium management must be maintained and any attempt to produce or support its production for military programmes under the guise of civilian programmes undermines the NPT’s objectives.  It underscored the importance of implementing the Guidelines for the Management of Plutonium and called upon all States that committed to reporting annually to the IAEA all their plutonium holdings in peaceful nuclear activities to fulfil those commitments.

The Assembly retained operative paragraph 7 by a recorded vote of 152 in favour to 2 against (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, India), with 8 abstentions (Burundi, Egypt, Iran, Israel, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, South Sudan, Syria).  By the provision, the Assembly urged all States that have yet to sign and/or ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) to do so in all expediency, particularly the remaining eight States listed in annex II, and, pending the Treaty’s entry into force, to refrain from nuclear test explosions and any other action that would defeat the Treaty’s object and purpose.  It also urged States to declare or maintain existing moratoriums on nuclear weapon test explosions and to assist the Preparatory Commission for the Treaty Organization.

The Assembly retained operative paragraph 10 by a recorded vote of 136 in favour to 5 against (Egypt, Iran, Russian Federation, South Africa, Syria), with 23 abstentions.  By the provision, the Assembly underscored the importance of complying with non-proliferation obligations and addressing all non-compliance matters in order to uphold the integrity of the NPT and the authority of the safeguards system.

The Assembly then adopted the resolution as a whole by a recorded vote of 148 in favour to 7 against (China, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Iran, Nicaragua, Russian Federation, South Africa, Syria), with 29 abstentions.  Among the terms of the wide-ranging text, the Assembly expressed deep concern at the deteriorated international security environment, including the ongoing actions against the sovereignty and integrity of Ukraine, as well as irresponsible nuclear rhetoric affecting regional and international security that makes the threat of nuclear weapons use today higher than at any time since the cold war heights. 

The Assembly postponed action on draft resolution XIX, “Nuclear disarmament verification”, to a later date to allow the Fifth Committee to review its programme budget implications.

Turning to draft resolution XX, “Ethical imperatives for a nuclear-weapon-free world”, the Assembly retained preambular paragraph 11 by a recorded vote of 113 in favour to 37 against, with 15 abstentions.   By the provision, the Assembly recalled that the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons acknowledges the ethical imperatives for nuclear disarmament.   

The Assembly then adopted the text as a whole by a recorded vote of 135 in favour to 38 against, with 12 abstentions.   By the text, the Assembly called on all States to acknowledge the catastrophic humanitarian consequences and risks posed by a nuclear weapon detonation, whether by accident, miscalculation or design.

Turning to draft resolution XXI, “Towards a nuclear-weapon-free world:  accelerating the implementation of nuclear disarmament commitments”, the Assembly retained preambular paragraph 24 by a recorded vote of 107 in favour to 37 against, with 19 abstentions.   By the provision, the Assembly welcomed the outcomes of the first Meeting of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons and the second meeting’s convening in November and December 2023.

The Assembly retained operative paragraph 1 by a recorded vote of 118 in favour to 34 against, with 12 abstentions, by which it condemned unequivocally all nuclear threats regardless of the circumstances and called on all States to reject any normalization of nuclear rhetoric and the threat of nuclear weapons use.  

It retained operative paragraph 20 by a recorded vote of 145 in favour to 4 against (India, Israel, Pakistan, United States), with 11 abstentions, thereby calling upon all States parties to spare no effort to achieve the Non-Proliferation Treaty’s universality and urged India, Israel and Pakistan to accede to the Treaty as non-nuclear-weapon States promptly and without conditions and to place all their nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards. It also called upon South Sudan to join the Treaty at the earliest opportunity.

The Assembly retained operative paragraph 23 by a recorded vote of 106 in favour to 40 against, with 14 abstentions, by which it called upon Member States to continue to support efforts to identify, elaborate, negotiate and implement further effective legally binding measures for nuclear disarmament.

The Assembly then adopted the draft resolution as a whole by a recorded vote of 133 in favour to 26 against, with 25 abstentions.   Further to the text, it urged all NPT States parties to implement their article VI obligations and pursue multilateral negotiations without delay on effective measures to achieve and maintain a nuclear-weapon-free world.  The Assembly also urged nuclear-weapon States to fulfil their commitment to undertake further efforts to reduce and eliminate all types of nuclear weapons.

Next, the Assembly adopted without a vote draft resolution XXII, “Measures to prevent terrorists from acquiring weapons of mass destruction”, by which it called upon all Member States to support international efforts and strengthen national measures to prevent terrorists from acquiring weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery. 

The Assembly then adopted draft resolution XXIII, “Reducing nuclear danger”, by a recorded vote of 122 in favour to 49 against, with 13 abstentions.   By the text, it requested the five nuclear-weapon States to take measures to reduce the risks of unintentional and accidental nuclear weapons use and called for a review of nuclear doctrines.  

Next, the Assembly adopted draft resolution XXIV, “Implementation of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction”, by a recorded vote of 170 in favour to 1 against (Russian Federation), with 16 abstentions.   By the text, the Assembly invited all States to ratify and accede to the Convention without delay and urged all States parties to provide the Secretary-General with complete and timely information to promote transparency and compliance.  

Turning to draft resolution XXV, “The illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects”, the Assembly retained preambular paragraph 22 by a recorded vote of 152 in favour to none against, with 17 abstentions.   By the provision, the Assembly welcomed the inclusion of small arms and light weapons in the Arms Trade Treaty’s scope.    

The Assembly retained preambular paragraph 24 by a recorded vote of 146 in favour to none against, with 25 abstentions.   By the provision, the Assembly took note of the adoption without a vote of the final report of the Open-Ended Working Group established pursuant to Assembly resolution 76/233 and the Global Framework for Through-life Conventional Ammunition Management.  

The Assembly then adopted the draft resolution as a whole without a vote.  Further to the text, it called upon all Member States to contribute towards continued implementation at the national, regional and global levels of the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects.

Turning to draft resolution XXVI, “Through-life conventional ammunition management”, the Assembly retained preambular paragraph 13 by a recorded vote of 136 in favour to none against, with 30 abstentions.   By the provision, the Assembly took note of discussions of conventional ammunition in the framework of the Programme of Action, International Tracing Instrument, Protocol on Explosive Remnants of War to 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 (Protocol V), and the Arms Trade Treaty.  

The Assembly then adopted the resolution as a whole by a recorded vote of 176 in favour to none against, with 5 abstentions (Belarus, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Syria).   By the text, the Assembly decided to adopt the Global Framework for Through-life Conventional Ammunition Management and called upon all States to implement it.

Turning to draft resolution XXVII, “The Arms Trade Treaty”, the Assembly retained preambular paragraph 11 by a recorded vote of 154 in favour to none against, with 16 abstentions.   By the provision, the Assembly recalled the Secretary-General’s disarmament agenda, in particular the section entitled “Disarmament that saves lives”.    

The Assembly then adopted the resolution as a whole by a recorded vote of 159 in favour to none against, with 23 abstentions. Further to the text, the Assembly called upon all States that have not yet done so to ratify, accept, approve or accede to the Treaty to achieve its universalization.  It also called on States parties, in a position to do so, to provide assistance to requesting States to promote the Treaty’s implementation.  

Next, the Assembly adopted without a vote draft resolution XXVIII, “Prohibition of the dumping of radioactive wastes”, by which it called on all States to take appropriate measures to prevent any such dumping that would infringe upon the sovereignty of States.

Turning to draft resolution XXIX, “Nuclear-weapon-free southern hemisphere and adjacent areas”, the Assembly retained preambular paragraph 6 by a recorded vote of 110 in favour to 34 against, with 20 abstentions, by which it reaffirmed the conviction that establishing internationally recognized nuclear-weapon-free zones enhances global and regional peace and security, strengthens the nuclear non-proliferation regime and contributes towards realizing nuclear disarmament.

The Assembly also retained operative paragraph 5 by a recorded vote of 127 in favour to 1 against (Russian Federation), with 38 abstentions.   By the provision, the Assembly called upon the nuclear-weapon States to withdraw any reservations or interpretive declarations contrary to the object and purpose of the treaties establishing nuclear-weapon-free zones.    

The Assembly retained operative paragraph 6 by a recorded vote of 139 in favour to 1 against (Israel), with 28 abstentions, by which it welcomed steps taken to conclude further nuclear-weapon-free zone treaties based on arrangements freely arrived at among the concerned region’s States, including in the Middle East.

The Assembly then adopted the resolution as a whole by a recorded vote of 147 in favour to 5 against (France, Israel, Russian Federation, United Kingdom, United States), with 29 abstentions.   Further to the text, the Assembly noted with satisfaction that all nuclear-weapon-free zones in the southern hemisphere and adjacent areas are now in force.  

Turning to draft resolution XXX, “Prohibiting the use of radiological weapons”, the Assembly retained preambular paragraph 8 by a recorded vote of 119 in favour to 4 against, (Belarus, Iran, Russian Federation, Syria), with 36 abstentions.   By the provision, the Assembly reaffirmed the need to ensure the equal, full and meaningful participation of underrepresented groups and reflect gender perspectives and diverse participant perspectives in the negotiation process.

The Assembly then adopted the resolution as a whole by a recorded vote of 164 in favour to 4 against (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Iran, Russian Federation, Syria), with 13 abstentions.   By the text, the Assembly called upon all States not to use radiological weapons and not to develop, produce or stockpile devices or materials for use as radiological weapons, while desiring to avoid interfering with legitimate uses of radioactive materials.    The Assembly also urged the Conference on Disarmament to adopt in 2024 a comprehensive and balanced programme of work that includes the start of negotiations to conclude a legally binding multilateral prohibition on the use of radiological weapons by States.    

The Assembly postponed action on draft resolution XXI, “Addressing the legacy of nuclear weapons:  providing victim assistance and environmental remediation to Member States affected by the use or testing of nuclear weapons” to allow the Fifth Committee to review its programme budget implications.  

Next, acting without a vote, the Assembly adopted draft resolution XXXII, “Transparency and confidence-building measures in outer space activities”, by which it encouraged Member States to continue to review and implement the proposed measures contained in the report of the Group of Governmental Experts on Transparency and Confidence-Building Measures in Outer Space Activities, considered by the General Assembly on 5 December 2013.

The Assembly postponed action on draft resolution XXXIII, “Lethal autonomous weapons systems”, to a later date to allow the Fifth Committee to review its programme budget implications.  

Turning to draft resolution XXXIV, “Nuclear disarmament”, the Assembly retained preambular paragraph 32 by a recorded vote of 114 in favour to 41 against, with 11 abstentions.   By the provision, the Assembly welcomed the entry into force of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons on 22 January 2021 and the successful convening of the first Meeting of States Parties in Vienna.    

The Assembly also retained operative paragraph 16, by a recorded vote of 157 in favour to 1 against (Pakistan), with 12 abstentions.  By the provision, the Assembly called for the immediate start of negotiations in the Conference on Disarmament on a verifiable treaty banning fissile material production for nuclear weapons.

The Assembly retained operative paragraph 19, by a recorded vote of 161 in favour to 1 against (India), with 9 abstentions (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Egypt, France, Israel, Saudi Arabia, South Sudan, Syria, United Kingdom, United States).   By the provision, the Assembly called for the early entry into force, universalization and strict observance of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty as a contribution to nuclear disarmament.    

The Assembly then adopted the draft resolution as a whole by a recorded vote of 121 in favour to 44 against, with 17 abstentions. By the text, the Assembly urged all nuclear-weapon States to achieve the total elimination of all nuclear weapons at the earliest possible time and stop immediately the qualitative improvement, development, production and stockpiling of nuclear warheads and their delivery systems.  It also called upon them, pending the achievement of the total elimination of nuclear weapons, to agree on an internationally and legally binding instrument on a joint undertaking not to be the first to use nuclear weapons and urged them to commence plurilateral negotiations on further deep reductions of their nuclear weapons in an irreversible, verifiable and transparent manner.    

Turning to draft resolution XXXV, “Assistance to States for curbing the illicit traffic in small arms and light weapons and collecting them”, the Assembly retained preambular paragraph 16 by a recorded vote of 154 in favour to none against, with 18 abstentions.   By the provision, the Assembly welcomed the inclusion of small arms and light weapons in the Arms Trade Treaty’s scope, as well as the inclusion of international assistance in its provision.

The Assembly then adopted the resolution as a whole without a vote.  Further to the text, it called upon the international community to provide technical and financial support to strengthen the capacity of civil society organizations to combat the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons.

Next, the Assembly considered the report titled “Convention on the Prohibition of the Use of Nuclear Weapons” (document A/78/410). 

It adopted draft resolution I, titled “Convention on the Prohibition of the Use of Nuclear Weapons”, by a recorded vote of 120 in favour to 50 against, with 14 abstentions.  By the text, the Assembly reiterated its request to the Disarmament Conference to commence negotiations to reach agreement on an international convention prohibiting the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons under any circumstances. 

The Assembly adopted draft resolution II, titled “United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa” without a vote, by which it commended the Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa for its sustained support to Member States in implementing disarmament, arms-control and non-proliferation activities through seminars and conferences, capacity-building and training, policy and technical expertise, and information and advocacy at the regional and national levels.  It called on Member States and other bilateral and multilateral stakeholders to enable the Centre to provide adequate assistance to African Member States on arms control and disarmament from a human security perspective — preventing violent extremism, youth and peace and security, and women and peace and security.  It urged voluntary contributions to enable the Centre’s activities.  

The Assembly adopted, without a vote, draft resolution III, titled “United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean”, by which it encouraged the Centre to further develop activities in all countries of the region and to support Member States in the national implementation of relevant instruments.    

Next, it adopted, without a vote, draft resolution IV, titled “United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific”, by which the Assembly expressed its gratitude to the Government of Nepal for enabling the Centre to operate from Kathmandu.  The Assembly appealed to Member States, particularly in that region, as well as international governmental and non-governmental organizations and foundations, to make voluntary contributions to strengthen it.   

It next adopted, without a vote, draft resolution V, titled “Regional confidence-building measures:  activities of the United Nations Standing Advisory Committee on Security Questions in Central Africa”, by which it welcomed the Standing Committee’s role throughout its 30 years, which has enabled the creation of institutions such as the Subregional Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Central Africa and the Council for Peace and Security in Central Africa.  It encouraged financial support for the implementation of the Central African Convention for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, Their Ammunition and All Parts and Components That Can Be Used for Their Manufacture, Repair and Assembly (Kinshasa Convention).  It also encouraged all signatories to ratify the Convention and ask the Secretary-General to convene a review conference on the treaty.  

Next, the Assembly adopted, without a vote, draft resolution VI, titled “United Nations Regional Centres for Peace and Disarmament”, by which it reiterated the importance of UN activities at the regional level to advance disarmament and increase the stability and security of its Member States.  The Assembly commended the three Centres for their sustained support provided to Member States for over 30 years and appealed for voluntary contributions to strengthen their activities and initiatives.  The Secretary-General was also requested to provide all support necessary to the Regional Centres.     

Then the Assembly considered the report titled “Report of the Conference on Disarmament” (document A/78/576). 

Acting without a vote, it adopted draft resolution I, titled “Report of the Conference on Disarmament”, by which it called upon the Conference to intensify consultations and explore possibilities to overcome ongoing deadlock in adopting and implementing a balanced and comprehensive work programme at the earliest possible date during its 2024 session.  It also called upon the Conference to undertake efforts to ensure inclusivity and multilateralism in its work, including through participation at its sessions.  

Next, the Assembly adopted, without a vote, draft resolution II, titled “Report of the Disarmament Commission”, by which it requested the Commission to continue its work in accordance with its mandate.  

Turning to the draft resolution titled “The risk of nuclear proliferation in the Middle East” (document A/78/411), the Assembly first retained preambular paragraph 5 by a recorded vote of 163 in favour to 4 against (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, India, Israel, Pakistan), with 3 abstentions (Bhutan, South Sudan, United States).  By the provision, the Assembly recalled the decision on principles and objectives for nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament adopted by the 1995 Review and Extension Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons on 11 May 1995.  

The Assembly retained preambular paragraph 6 by a recorded vote of 163 in favour to 4 against (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, India, Israel, Pakistan), with 3 abstentions (Bhutan, South Sudan, United States).  By the provision, the Assembly recognized with satisfaction that, in the Final Document of the 2000 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, the Conference made determined efforts towards achieving the Treaty’s universality and called upon remaining States not parties to accede to it.

The Assembly then adopted the draft resolution as a whole by a recorded vote of 151 in favour to 6 against (Canada, Israel, Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Palau, United States), with 27 abstentions.  Further to the text, the Assembly expressed concern about the threats posed by the proliferation of nuclear weapons to the Middle East’s security and stability.  It recalled that Israel remains the region’s only State that has not yet become a party to the NPT and called on it to accede to the Treaty without further delay, and not to develop, produce, test or otherwise acquire nuclear weapons, to renounce possession of nuclear weapons, and to place all its unsafeguarded nuclear facilities under full-scope IAEA safeguards.  It called for immediate steps towards the full implementation of the resolution on the Middle East adopted by the Review and Extension Conference.   

Next, the Assembly adopted without a vote the draft resolution titled “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/78/412).  By the text, it called upon all States that have not yet done so to take all measures to become parties as soon as possible to the Convention and its Protocols.  It also called upon all High Contracting Parties that have not yet done so to express their consent to be bound by the Convention’s Protocols and the amendment extending the scope to include armed conflicts of a non-international character.   

Next, the Assembly took up the draft resolution titled “Strengthening of security and cooperation in the Mediterranean region” (document A/78/413).  

The Assembly retained operative paragraph 2 by a recorded vote of 168 in favour to 2 against (Israel, United States), with 1 abstention (South Sudan).  By the provision, the Assembly invited Mediterranean countries to consolidate efforts to contribute actively to eliminate all causes of tension in the region and promote just and lasting solutions to the region’s persistent problems through peaceful means, ensuring the withdrawal of foreign forces of occupation and respecting the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of all countries and the right of peoples to self-determination.  The Assembly called for full adherence to the principles of non-interference, non-intervention, non-use of force or threat of use of force, and the inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by force, in accordance with the UN Charter and relevant resolutions.  

The Assembly retained operative paragraph 5 by a recorded vote of 164 in favour to 2 against (Israel, United States), with 1 abstention (South Sudan).  

By the provision, the Assembly called upon all countries of the Mediterranean region to adhere to relevant multilaterally negotiated legal instruments related to disarmament and non-proliferation, thus creating conditions necessary for strengthening peace and cooperation in the region.  

The Assembly then adopted the draft as a whole by a recorded vote of 178 in favour to none against, with 4 abstentions (Israel, Palau, South Sudan, United States).  Further to the text, the Assembly encouraged the region’s States to favour conditions necessary to strengthen confidence-building measures by promoting genuine openness and transparency on all military matters.  It encouraged them to strengthen cooperation to combat terrorism in all forms.   

The Assembly next turned to the draft resolution titled “Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty” (document A/78/414).  It retained preambular paragraph 6 by a recorded vote of 169 in favour to 1 against (India), with 3 abstentions (Bhutan, Egypt, Syria).   By the provision, the Assembly recognized the sustained efforts by the Executive Secretary of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization to promote the Treaty’s universalization and encouraged their continuation.   

The Assembly retained preambular paragraph 8 by a recorded vote of 170 in favour to none against, with 5 abstentions (Bhutan, India, Israel, Pakistan, Syria).  By the provision, the Assembly recalled the adoption by consensus of the conclusions and recommendations for follow-on actions of the 2010 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, in which the Conference, inter alia, reaffirmed the vital importance of the entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty as a core element of the international nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime and included specific actions to be taken to support its entry into force.   

Preambular paragraph 9 held by a recorded vote of 166 in favour to 2 against (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, India), with 7 abstentions (Bhutan, China, Cuba, Mali, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Syria).  By the provision, the Assembly recalled further the Final Declaration adopted by the thirteenth Conference on Facilitating the Entry into Force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty and recalled the joint statement issued by the Friends of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty in 2022.

Preambular paragraph 13 was retained by a recorded vote of 164 in favour to 2 against (Mali, Russian Federation), with 6 abstentions (Bhutan, China, Egypt, India, Saudi Arabia, Syria). By the provision, the Assembly welcomed further the renewed focus on ensuring the continued operation and long-term sustainability of the verification regime.   

The Assembly retained operative paragraph 1 by a recorded vote of 170 in favour to 2 against (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, India), with 5 abstentions (Bhutan, Egypt, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Syria), by which the Assembly stressed the urgency of the Treaty’s signature and ratification, without delay and without conditions, in order to achieve its earliest entry into force.   

The Assembly retained operative paragraph 5 by a recorded vote of 166 in favour to 4 against (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Mali, Russian Federation, Syria), with 6 abstentions (Bhutan, China, Cuba, Djibouti, Iran, Nicaragua).  By the provision, the Assembly reiterated its condemnation of the six nuclear tests conducted by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in violation of Security Council resolutions and urged full compliance with obligations under those resolutions.  The Assembly also reaffirmed its support for the complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean peninsula in a peaceful manner, welcomed all efforts and dialogue to this end, and encouraged all parties to continue diplomatic efforts.   

The Assembly retained operative paragraph 6 by a recorded vote of 169 in favour to 2 against (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, India), with 5 abstentions (Bhutan, Egypt, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Syria).  In so doing, it urged all States that have not yet signed or ratified the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, or that have signed but not yet ratified it, to sign and ratify it as soon as possible and to accelerate their ratification processes to ensure the earliest successful conclusion.

The Assembly then adopted the draft resolution as a whole by a recorded vote of 181 in favour to 1 against (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea), with 4 abstentions (India, Mauritius, Saudi Arabia, Syria).  Further to the text, the Assembly urged all States not to carry out nuclear-weapon test explosions or any other nuclear explosions, to maintain their moratoriums and to refrain from acts that would defeat the object and purpose of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty.

The Assembly, without a vote, adopted the draft resolution titled “Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction” (document A/78/415), regretting that the Ninth Review Conference of the Parties to the Biological Weapons Convention was not able to reach consensus on a draft final declaration.   The Assembly also noted that the Conference decided to establish a Working Group open to all States parties to identify, examine and develop specific and effective measures, including possible legally binding measures, and to make recommendations to strengthen and institutionalize the Convention.    

The Assembly then adopted without a vote the draft decision titled “Revitalization of the work of the General Assembly” (document A/78/416). 

Finally, the Assembly took note of the report titled “Programme planning” (document A/78/575).