A/RES/56/24
Considering that, until nuclear weapons cease to exist, it is imperative on the
part of the nuclear-weapon States to adopt measures that assure non-nuclear-weapon
States against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons,
Considering also that the hair-trigger alert of nuclear weapons carries
unacceptable risks of unintentional or accidental use of nuclear weapons, which
would have catastrophic consequences for all mankind,
Emphasizing the imperative need to adopt measures to avoid accidental,
unauthorized or unexplained incidents arising from computer anomaly or other
technical malfunctions,
Conscious that limited steps relating to detargeting have been taken by the
nuclear-weapon States and that further practical, realistic and mutually reinforcing
steps are necessary to contribute to the improvement in the international climate for
negotiations leading to the elimination of nuclear weapons,
Mindful that reduction of tensions brought about by a change in nuclear
doctrines would positively impact on international peace and security and improve
the conditions for the further reduction and the elimination of nuclear weapons,
Reiterating the highest priority accorded to nuclear disarmament in the Final
Document of the Tenth Special Session of the General Assembly 4 and by the
international community,
Recalling that in the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on
the Legality of the Threat or Use of Nuclear Weapons 5 it is stated that there exists an
obligation for all States to pursue in good faith and bring to a conclusion
negotiations leading to nuclear disarmament in all its aspects under strict and
effective international control,
Welcoming the call in the United Nations Millennium Declaration 6 to seek to
eliminate the dangers posed by weapons of mass destruction and the resolve to strive
for the elimination of weapons of mass destruction, particularly nuclear weapons,
including the possibility of convening an international conference to identify ways
of eliminating nuclear dangers,
1.
Calls for a review of nuclear doctrines and, in this context, immediate
and urgent steps to reduce the risks of unintentional and accidental use of nuclear
weapons;
2.
Requests the five nuclear-weapon States to take measures towards the
implementation of paragraph 1 of the present resolution;
3.
Calls upon Member States to take the necessary measures to prevent the
proliferation of nuclear weapons in all its aspects and to promote nuclear
disarmament, with the objective of eliminating nuclear weapons;
4.
Takes note of the report 7 prepared by the Advisory Board on
Disarmament Matters and submitted by the Secretary-General in pursuance of
paragraph 5 of General Assembly resolution 55/33 N of 20 November 2000, in
particular the seven recommendations highlighted for further action;
_______________
4
Resolution S-10/2.
A/51/218, annex; see also Legality of the Threat or Use of Nuclear Weapons, Advisory Opinion, I.C.J.
Reports 1996, p. 226.
6
See resolution 55/2.
7
See A/56/400.
5
4
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