Treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices A/RES/71/259 on Disarmament should, within the context of an agreed, comprehensive and balanced programme of work, immediately begin negotiation of a treaty bannin g the production of fissile material for use in nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices in accordance with the report of the Special Coordinator of 1995 ( CD/1299) and the mandate contained therein, Convinced that a non-discriminatory, multilateral and internationally and effectively verifiable treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices would represent a significant practical contribution to nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation efforts, Recognizing the essential role of fissile material in the manufacture of nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices and the long -standing efforts of the international community to negotiate a treaty that would ban its production for such purposes, Recognizing also that a future treaty should not prohibit the production of fissile material for non-proscribed military purposes or civilian use, consistent with the obligations of State parties, nor interfere in any other way with a State’s right to peaceful uses of nuclear energy, Noting with appreciation the submissions by Member States to the SecretaryGeneral containing views on a treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices, including possible aspects thereof, and the subsequent reports submitted by the Secretary -General to the General Assembly at its sixty-eighth 2 and seventy-first sessions, 3 Welcoming the adoption by consensus of the report of the Group of Governmental Experts, mandated pursuant to resolution 67/53, as contained in document A/70/81, Underlining that the report of the Group of Governmental Experts, mandated in resolution 67/53, as contained in document A/70/81, and the deliberations which underpin it, serve as a valuable reference for States and should be a useful resource for negotiators of a treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices, Taking note of the conclusion of the Group of Governmental Experts that the various perspectives of States on a treaty should not be an obstacle to the commencement of negotiations, 1. Urges the Conference on Disarmament to agree on and implement at its earliest opportunity a balanced and comprehensive programme of work that includes the immediate commencement of negotiations on a treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices on the basis of document CD/1299 and the mandate contained therein; 2. Requests the Secretary-General to establish a high-level fissile material cut-off treaty (FMCT) expert preparatory group with a membership of 25 States, chosen on the basis of equitable geographical representation, which will operate by consensus, 4 without prejudice to national positions in future negotiations, and which _______________ 2 A/68/154 and Add.1. A/71/140/Rev.1 and Add.1. 4 The high-level FMCT expert preparatory group will be governed by the rules and established practices applicable to groups of governmental experts. 3 2/3