9 December 1982

Economic and social consequences of the armaments race and its extremely harmful effects on world peace and security

The General Assembly,

Having considered the item entitled "Economic and social consequences of the armaments race and its extremely harmful effects on world peace and security",

Recalling its resolutions 2667 (XXV) of 7 December 1970, 2831 (XXVI) of 16 December 1971, 3075 (XXVIII) of 6 December 1973, 32/75 of 12 December 1977 and 35/141 of 12 December 1980,

Deeply concerned that the arms race, particularly in nuclear armaments, and military expenditures continue to increase at an alarming speed, constituting a grave danger for world peace and security,

Recalling also the conclusion of the General Assembly at its twelfth special session, the second special session devoted to disarmament, that the vastly increased military budgets have also contributed to current economic problems in certain States and that existing and planned military programmes constitute a colossal waste of precious resources which might otherwise be used to raise the living standards of all peoples and solve the problems confronting developing countries in achieving economic and social development,

Reaffirming the need for all Governments and peoples to be informed about and understand the situation prevailing in the field of the arms race and disarmament,

Having in mind the objectives of the World Disarmament Campaign, solemnly launched at the twelfth special session, which is intended to promote public interest in, and support for, reaching agreements on measures of arms limitation and disarmament,

Recalling further paragraph 93 (c) of the Final Document of the Tenth Special Session of the General Assembly, which provides that the Secretary-General shall periodically submit reports to the Assembly on the economic and social consequences of the armaments race and its extremely harmful effects on world peace and security,

Considering that the elaboration of such reports should be viewed as a measure aimed at building confidence among States,

1. Welcomes with satisfaction the updated report of the Secretary-General on the economic and social consequences of the arms race and of military expenditures;

2. Expresses its thanks to the Secretary-General and to the Group of Consultant Experts on the Economic and Social Consequences of the Arms Race and of Military Expenditures, as well as to the Governments and international organizations that have rendered assistance in updating the report;

3. Recommends that the conclusions of the updated report should be brought to the attention of public opinion and also taken into account in future action by the United Nations in the field of disarmament;

4. Requests the Secretary-General to make the necessary arrangements for the reproduction of the report as a United Nations publication and to give it publicity in the framework of the World Disarmament Campaign, taking also into account the views expressed on the report by Member States not later than 1 March 1983;

5. Recommends that all Governments should ensure the widest possible distribution of the report, including, where appropriate, its translation into the respective national languages;

6. Invites the specialized agencies as well as intergovernmental, national and non-governmental organizations to use their facilities to make the report widely known;

7. Reaffirms its decision to keep the item entitled "Economic and social consequences of the armaments race and its extremely harmful effects on world peace and security" under constant review, and decides to include it in the provisional agenda of its fortieth session.