۳۲۶۳ (XXIX). Establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the region of the Middle East
The General Assembly,
Having considered the question of the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the region of the Middle East,
Desiring to contribute to the maintenance of international peace and security by bolstering and expanding the existing regional and global structures for the prohibition and/or prevention of the further spread of nuclear weapons,
Realizing that the establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones with an adequate system of safeguards could accelerate the process towards nuclear disarmament and the ultimate goal of general and complete disarmament under effective international control,
Recalling the resolution adopted by the Council of the League of Arab States at its sixty-second session, held in Cairo from 1 to 4 September 1974, on this subject,
Recalling the message sent by His Imperial Majesty the Shahanshah of Iran on 16 September 1974 on the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the region of the Middle East, ۴۱
۴۱ Official Records of the General Assembly. Twenty-ninth Session. Annexes, agenda item 101, document A/9693/Add.3.
Considering that the establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones, on the initiative of the States situated within each zone concerned, is one of the measures which can contribute most effectively to halting the proliferation of those instruments of mass destruction and to promoting progress towards nuclear disarmament, with the goal of total destruction of all nuclear weapons and their means of delivery,
Mindful of the political conditions particular to the region of the Middle East and of the potential danger
emanating therefrom, which would be further aggravated by the introduction of nuclear weapons in the area,
Conscious, therefore, of the need to keep the countries of the region from becoming involved in a ruinous nuclear arms race,
Recalling the Declaration on the Denuclearization of Africa issued by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Organization of African Unity in July 1964, ۴۲
۴۲. Ibid. Twentieth Session, Annexes, agenda item 105, document A/5975.
Noting that the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the region of the Middle East would contribute effectively to the realization of aims enunciated in the Declaration on the Denuclearization of Africa,
Recalling the notable achievement of the countries of Latin America in establishing a nuclear-free zone,
Also recalling resolution B of the Conference of Non-Nuclear-Weapon States, held at Geneva from 29 August to 28 September 1968, in which the Conference recommended that non-nuclear-weapon States not comprised in the Latin American nuclear-free zone should study the possibility and desirability of establishing military denuclearization of their respective zones, ۴۳
۴۳ Ibid., Twenty-third Session, agenda item 96, decen A/7277 and Corr.1 and 2. para. 17.
Recalling the aims pursued by the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons,” in particular the goal of preventing the further spread of nuclear weapons,
Recalling its resolution 2373 (XXII) of 12 June 1968, in which it expressed the hope for the widest possible adherence to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons by both nuclear-weapon and non-nuclear-weapon States,
1. Commends the idea of the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the region of the Middle East;
2. Considers that, in order to advance the idea of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the region of the Middle East, it is indispensable that all parties concerned in the area proclaim solemnly and immediately their intention to refrain, on a reciprocal basis, from producing, testing, obtaining, acquiring or in any other way possessing nuclear weapons;
3. Calls upon the parties concerned in the area to accede to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons;
4. Expresses the hope that all States, in particular the nuclear-weapon States, will lend their full co-operation for the effective realization of the aims of the present resolution;
5. Requests the Secretary-General to ascertain the views of the parties concerned with respect to the implementation of the present resolution, in particular with regard to its paragraphs 2 and 3, and to report to the Security Council at an early date and, subsequently, to the General Assembly at its thirtieth session;
6. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its thirtieth session the item entitled “Establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the region of the Middle East”. ۴۴
۴۴. Resolution 2373 (XXII), annex.
2309th plenary meeting
9 December 1974