A/RES/52/37
Page 3
Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon
and Other Celestial Bodies;1
2. Reaffirms its recognition, as stated in the report of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Prevention of an
Arms Race in Outer Space, that the legal regime applicable to outer space by itself does not guarantee the
prevention of an arms race in outer space, that this legal regime plays a significant role in the prevention of
an arms race in that environment, that there is a need to consolidate and reinforce that regime and enhance
its effectiveness, and that it is important strictly to comply with existing agreements, both bilateral and
multilateral;
3. Emphasizes the necessity of further measures with appropriate and effective provisions for
verification to prevent an arms race in outer space;
4. Calls upon all States, in particular those with major space capabilities, to contribute actively to the
objective of the peaceful use of outer space and of the prevention of an arms race in outer space and to
refrain from actions contrary to that objective and to the relevant existing treaties in the interest of
maintaining international peace and security and promoting international cooperation;
5. Reiterates that the Conference on Disarmament, as the single multilateral disarmament negotiating
forum, has the primary role in the negotiation of a multilateral agreement or agreements, as appropriate, on
the prevention of an arms race in outer space in all its aspects;
6. Invites the Conference on Disarmament to re-examine the mandate contained in its decision of 13
February 1992,4 with a view to updating it as appropriate, thus providing for the re-establishment of the Ad
Hoc Committee during the 1998 session of the Conference on Disarmament;
7. Recognizes, in this respect, the growing convergence of views on the elaboration of measures
designed to strengthen transparency, confidence and security in the peaceful uses of outer space;
8. Urges States conducting activities in outer space, as well as States interested in conducting such
activities, to keep the Conference on Disarmament informed of the progress of bilateral or multilateral
negotiations on the matter, if any, so as to facilitate its work;
9. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its fifty-third session the item entitled "Prevention
of an arms race in outer space".
67th plenary meeting
9 December 1997