The First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) today approved 20 draft resolutions and 4 decisions related to nuclear disarmament and other nuclear-weapons issues.
Introduced by Viet Nam, the newest draft resolution on “Twelfth Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and its Preparatory Committee” (document A/C.1/81/L.65) received broad support from the Committee, being approved by a recorded vote of 178 in favour to none against, with 4 abstentions (India, Israel, Pakistan, Tajikistan).
By its terms, the Assembly would take note of the decision of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons to hold the first session of the Preparatory Committee in 2028 in Vienna, and request the Secretary-General to render the necessary assistance for the twelfth Review Conference.
The same level of support was demonstrated for a draft resolution on “Comprehensive study of the question of nuclear-weapon-free zones in all its aspects” (document A/C.1/81/L.61) which was approved by a recorded vote of 178 in favour to 2 against (Israel, United States), with no abstentions.
By its terms, the Assembly would welcome the new comprehensive study of the question according to resolution 79/241 of 24 December 2024 and encourage all Member States to continue strengthening cooperation and collaboration within and among the nuclear-weapon-free zones.
The Committee approved a resolution on “Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty” (document A/C.1/81/L.25) by a recorded vote of 177 in favour to 1 against (United States), with 4 abstentions (Equatorial Guinea, India, Mauritius, Saudi Arabia). According to the draft, the Assembly would stress the vital importance and urgency of signature and ratification, without delay and without conditions, in order to achieve the earliest entry into force of the Treaty, also urging all States not to carry out nuclear-weapon test explosions or any other nuclear explosions and to maintain their moratoriums in this regard.
Texts Related to Middle East Draw Division among Delegates
Several texts, despite their approval, revealed divisions among delegations. The draft resolution on “Nuclear disarmament” (document A/C.1/81/L.23) was approved by a recorded vote of 118 in favour to 43 against, with 21 abstentions. By its terms, the Assembly would urge all nuclear-weapon States to take effective disarmament measures to achieve the total elimination of all nuclear weapons at the earliest possible time, also encouraging the efforts to establish new nuclear-weapon-free zones in different parts of the world, including the Middle East.
A draft resolution on “Establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the region of the Middle East” (document A/C.1/81/L.1) was approved by a recorded vote of 176 in favour to 4 against, with 1 abstention.
A draft resolution on “The risk of nuclear proliferation in the Middle East” (document A/C.1/81/L.2) was approved by a recorded vote of 148 in favour to 5 against (Argentina, Israel, Micronesia, Palau, United States), with 32 abstentions.
A draft decision “Missiles” (document A/C.1/81/L.20), introduced by Iran, was approved by a recorded vote of 102 in favour to 7 against (Argentina, Canada, Israel, North Macedonia, Paraguay, Ukraine, United States), with 61 abstentions.
A draft resolution on “Common steps towards a world without nuclear weapons” (document A/C.1/81/L.18), approved by a recorded vote of 150 in favour to 7 against (Burundi, China, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Iran, Israel, Russian Federation, South Africa), with 25 abstentions, required 15 votes on its separate paragraphs prior to adoption.
Some other texts enjoyed less support from the Committee. A draft resolution on “Conclusion of effective international arrangements to assure non‑nuclear-weapon States against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons” (document A/C.1/81/L.7) was approved by a recorded vote of 122 in favour to none against, with 62 abstentions.
A draft resolution on “Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons” (document A/C.1/81/L.13) was approved by a recorded vote of 123 in favour to 46 against, with 13 abstentions. Similarly, a draft resolution on “Reducing nuclear danger” (document A/C.1/81/L.56) was approved by a recorded vote of 123 in favour to 50 against, with 10 abstentions, while a draft resolution on “Convention on the Prohibition of the Use of Nuclear Weapons” (document A/C.1/81/L.58) was approved by a recorded vote of 122 in favour to 51 against, with 10 abstentions.
A draft resolution on “The Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation” (document A/C.1/81/L.51) was approved by a recorded vote of 168 in favour to 3 against (Burundi, Iran, Russian Federation), with 10 abstentions.
The Committee also approved by recorded votes draft resolutions, titled “Humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons” (document A/C.1/81/L.11); “Ethical imperatives for a nuclear-weapon-free world” (document A/C.1/81/L.12); and “Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons” (document A/C.1/81/L.13).
Also approved by recorded votes were draft resolutions titled “Towards a nuclear-weapon-free world: accelerating the implementation of nuclear disarmament obligations and commitments” (document A/C.1/81/L.22); “Follow-up to the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on the legality of the threat or use of nuclear weapons” (document A/C.1/81/L.27); and “Follow-up to the 2013 high-level meeting of the General Assembly on nuclear disarmament” (document A/C.1/81/L.46).
Approved without a vote were draft resolutions on “African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty” (document A/C.1/81/L.31); “Mongolia’s international security and nuclear-weapon-free status” (document A/C.1/81/L.33); and “Treaty on a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in Central Asia” (document A/C.1/81/L.70/Rev.1).
The three other decisions approved today were: “Possible risks of the integration of artificial intelligence into command, control and communications systems of nuclear weapons” (document A/C.1/81/L.21); “Addressing the legacy of nuclear weapons: providing victim assistance and environmental remediation to Member States affected by the use or testing of nuclear weapons” (document A/C.1/81/L.71); and “Treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices” (document A/C.1/81/L.42).