United Nations General Assembly A/RES/56/17 Distr.: General 21 December 2001 Fifty-sixth session Agenda item 67 Resolution adopted by the General Assembly [on the report of the First Committee (A/56/529)] 56/17. African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (Treaty of Pelindaba) The General Assembly, Recalling its resolution 54/48 of 1 December 1999 and all its other relevant resolutions, as well as those of the Organization of African Unity, Recalling also the successful conclusion of the signing ceremony of the African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (Treaty of Pelindaba) 1 that was held at Cairo on 11 April 1996, Recalling further the Cairo Declaration adopted on that occasion, 2 which emphasized that nuclear-weapon-free zones, especially in regions of tension, such as the Middle East, enhance global and regional peace and security, Noting the statement made by the President of the Security Council on behalf of the members of the Council on 12 April 1996, 3 in which it was stated that the signature of the African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty constituted an important contribution by the African countries to the maintenance of international peace and security, Considering that the establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones, especially in the Middle East, would enhance the security of Africa and the viability of the African nuclear-weapon-free zone, 1. Calls upon African States that have not yet done so to sign and ratify the African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (Treaty of Pelindaba)1 as soon as possible so that it may enter into force without delay; 2. Expresses its appreciation to the nuclear-weapon States that have signed the Protocols that concern them, and calls upon those that have not yet ratified the Protocols concerning them to do so as soon as possible; _______________ 1 See A/50/426, annex. A/51/113-S/1996/276, annex. 3 S/PRST/1996/17; see Resolutions and Decisions of the Security Council, 1996. 2 01 47615