United Nations (UN)

UN First Committee: September 30-November 1, 2002

CTBT Resolution, October 4

'Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty', draft resolution submitted by Australia, Mexico and New Zealand, A/C.l/57/L.4, October 4.

The General Assembly,

Reiterating that the cessation of nuclear weapon test explosions constitutes an effective nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation measure,

Recalling that the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, adopted by its resolution 50/245 of 10 September 1996, was opened for signature on 24 September 1996,

Stressing that a universal and effectively verifiable Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty constitutes a fundamental instrument in the field of disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation,

Encouraged by the signing of the Treaty by one hundred and sixty-six States, including forty-one of the forty-four needed for its entry into force, and welcoming the ratification of ninety-six States, including thirty-one of the forty-four needed for its entry into force, among which there are three nuclear-weapon States,

Recalling its resolution 55/41 of 20 November 2000,

Welcoming the Final Declaration of the Conference on Measures to Facilitate the Entry into Force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, held in New York from 11 to 13 November 2001,

1. Stresses the importance and urgency of signature and ratification, without delay and without conditions and in accordance with constitutional processes, to achieve the earliest entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty;

2. Welcomes the contributions by the States signatories to the work of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization, in particular to its efforts to ensure that the Treaty's verification regime will be capable of meeting the verification requirements of the Treaty upon its entry into force, in accordance with article IV of the Treaty;

3. Urges States to maintain their moratoria on nuclear weapons test explosions or any other nuclear explosions, pending the entry into force of the Treaty;

4. Urges all States that have not yet signed the Treaty to sign and ratify it as soon as possible and to refrain from acts that would defeat its object and purpose in the meanwhile;

5. Urges all States that have signed but not yet ratified the Treaty, in particular those whose ratification is needed for its entry into force, to accelerate their ratification processes with a view to their earliest successful conclusion;

6. Urges all States to remain seized of the issue at the highest political level;

7. Decides to include in the Provisional agenda of its fifty-eighth session an item entitled "Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty".

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