9 December 1981

Implementation of General Assembly resolution 35/145 B

The General Assembly,

Recalling previous resolutions on a comprehensive nuclear-test ban, in particular resolution 32/78 of 12 December 1977, paragraph 51 of resolution S-10/2 of 30 June 1978, resolution 33/60 and section IV of resolution 33/71 H of 14 December 1978, resolution 34/73 of 11 December 1979 and resolution 35/145 B of 12 December 1980,

Reaffirming its conviction that it is in the interests of all people that nuclear-weapon testing by all States in all environments should cease, as this would be a major step towards ending the qualitative improvement, development and proliferation of nuclear weapons, a means of relieving the deep apprehension concerning the harmful consequences of radioactive contamination for the health of present and future generations and a measure of the utmost importance in bringing the nuclear arms race to an end,

Recalling that the parties to the Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapon Tests in the Atmosphere, in Outer Space and under Water and the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons expressed their determination in those treaties to continue negotiations to achieve the discontinuance of all test explosions of nuclear weapons for all time,

Expressing the belief that, to be effective and capable of attracting the widest possible adherence, a treaty prohibiting nuclear testing should include provision for an effective verification system,

Recognizing accordingly the importance to such a treaty of the work assigned by the Committee on Disarmament to the Ad Hoc Group of Scientific Experts to Consider International Co-operative Measures to Detect and Identify Seismic Events on a global network of stations for the exchange of seismological data,

Deeply concerned that the three negotiating nuclear-weapon States have not resumed their negotiations on a treaty prohibiting nuclear-test explosions in all environments and its Protocol covering nuclear explosions for peaceful purposes,

Emphasizing the urgent need for a complete cessation of the testing of nuclear weapons, Recognizing the indispensable role of the Committee on Disarmament in the negotiation of a comprehensive test-ban treaty capable of attracting the widest possible international support and adherence,

Expressing regret that it did not prove possible for the Committee on Disarmament to commence negotiations on such a treaty, Convinced that the proceedings of the second special session of the General Assembly, devoted to disarmament, to be held in 1982, would benefit substantially from positive progress towards the conclusion of such a treaty,

1. Reiterates its grave concern that, despite the express wishes of the overwhelming majority of Member States, nuclear-weapon testing continues unabated;

2. Reaffirms its conviction that a treaty to achieve the prohibition of all nuclear-weapon-test explosions by all States for all time is a matter of the greatest urgency and highest priority;

3. Expresses the conviction that such a treaty constitutes a vital element for the success of efforts to halt and reverse the nuclear arms race and the qualitative improvement of nuclear weapons and to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons to additional countries;

4. Calls upon the three negotiating nuclear-weapon States to resume their negotiations and to exert their best efforts to bring them to an early successful conclusion and invites them to prepare a report on the state of negotiations in good time for submission to the General Assembly at its second special session devoted to disarmament;

5. Reiterates its conviction that the Committee on Disarmament has an indispensable role in the negotiation of a treaty prohibiting nuclear testing;

6. Requests the Committee on Disarmament to take the necessary steps, including the establishment of a working group, to initiate substantive negotiations on a comprehensive test-ban treaty as a matter of the highest priority at the beginning of its session to be held in 1982;

7. Also requests the Committee on Disarmament to determine, in the context of its negotiations on such a treaty, the institutional and administrative arrangements necessary for establishing, testing and operating an international seismic-monitoring network and an effective verification system;

8. Further requests the Committee on Disarmament to exert all efforts in order that the draft of such a treaty may be submitted to the General Assembly at the earliest possible date;

9. Urges all members of the Committee on Disarmament, in

particular the nuclear-weapon States, to co-operate with the Committee in fulfilling its mandate;

10. Calls upon the Committee on Disarmament to report on progress to the General Assembly at its second special session devoted to disarmament and at its thirty-seventh session;

11. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its thirty-seventh session an item relating to implementation of the present resolution.