A/RES/70/40 United Nations Distr.: General 11 December 2015 General Assembly Seventieth session Agenda item 97 (aa) Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 7 December 2015 [on the report of the First Committee (A/70/460)] 70/40. United action with renewed determination towards the total elimination of nuclear weapons The General Assembly, Reaffirming its commitment to achieving a peaceful and secure world free of nuclear weapons, Recalling its resolution 69/52 of 2 December 2014, Recalling also that 2015 marks the seventieth year since the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, and the end of the Second World War, Reaffirming the crucial importance of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons1 as the cornerstone of the international nuclear non-proliferation regime and an essential foundation for the pursuit of the three pillars of the Treaty, namely, nuclear disarmament, nuclear non-proliferation and the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, Expressing deep concern at the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of any use of nuclear weapons, and reaffirming the need for all States at all times to comply with applicable international law, including international humanitarian law, while convinced that every effort should be made to avoid the use of nuclear weapons, Recognizing that the catastrophic humanitarian consequences that would result from the use of nuclear weapons should be fully understood by all, and noting in this regard that efforts should be made to increase such understanding, Reaffirming that the enhancement of international peace and security and the promotion of nuclear disarmament are mutually reinforcing, Reaffirming also that further advancement in nuclear disarmament will contribute to consolidating the international regime for nuclear non-proliferation, which is, inter alia, essential to international peace and security, Noting that the ultimate objective of the efforts of States in the disarmament process is general and complete disarmament under strict and effective international control, _______________ 1 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 729, No. 10485. 15-16794 (E) *1516794* Please recycle

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