A/RES/79/37
Humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons
Recalling that the 2010 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the
Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons expressed deep concern at the catastrophic
humanitarian consequences of any use of nuclear weapons, 2
Noting the resolutions of 26 November 2011 and 22 June 2022 of the Council
of Delegates of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement entitled
“Working towards the elimination of nuclear weapons”,
Recalling the joint statements on the humanitarian consequences of nuclear
weapons delivered to the General Assembly and during the ninth and tenth cycles of
the review of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, 3 including
most recently at the tenth Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the
Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons,
Welcoming the facts-based discussions on the effects of a nuclear weapon
detonation that were held at the conferences on the humanitarian impact of nuclear
weapons, convened by Norway, on 4 and 5 March 2013, Mexico, on 13 and
14 February 2014, and Austria, on 8 and 9 December 2014, and, most recently, on
20 June 2022,
Cognizant that a key message from experts and international organizations at
those conferences was that no State or international body could address the immediate
humanitarian emergency caused by a nuclear weapon detonation or provide adequate
assistance to victims,
Firmly believing that it is in the interest of all States to engage in discussions on
the humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons with the aim of further broadening
and deepening the understanding of this matter, and welcoming civil society’s
ongoing engagement,
Reaffirming the role of civil society, in partnership with Governments, in raising
awareness about the unacceptable humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons,
Noting with appreciation the renewed engagement of the scientific community
and academia in deepening our fact-based understanding of the humanitarian and
environmental consequences of nuclear weapons, as well as their associated risks, and
encouraging further interdisciplinary work in this regard,
Emphasizing that the catastrophic consequences of nuclear weapons affect not
only Governments but also each and every citizen of our interconnected world and
have deep implications for human survival, for the environment, for socioeconomic
development, for our economies and for the health of future generations,
1.
Stresses that it is in the interest of the very survival of humanity that
nuclear weapons never be used again, under any circumstances;
2.
Emphasizes that the only way to guarantee that nuclear weapons will never
be used again is their total elimination;
3.
Stresses that the catastrophic effects of a nuclear weapon detonation,
whether by accident, miscalculation or design, cannot be adequately addressed;
4.
Expresses its firm belief that awareness of the catastrophic consequences
of nuclear weapons must underpin all approaches and efforts towards nuclear
disarmament;
__________________
See 2010 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non -Proliferation of Nuclear
Weapons, Final Document, vol. I (NPT/CONF.2010/50 (Vol. I)), part I, Conclusions and
recommendations for follow-on actions.
3
United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 729, No. 10485.
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