United Nations (New York) — The United Nations First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) approved 24 draft resolutions aimed at reducing nuclear weapons risks and advancing disarmament, following 78 recorded votes on proposals from global delegations.
A central draft resolution, “A Road Map to a Nuclear-Weapon-Free World” (document A/C.1/79/L.41), urges all member states, especially nuclear-armed nations, to take steps to ensure that nuclear weapons are never used. The resolution, approved with a vote of 145 in favor, 6 against (China, North Korea, Iran, Nicaragua, Russia, and Syria), and 29 abstentions, calls for commitment to reducing risks tied to nuclear weapon use due to potential miscalculations, misperceptions, miscommunications, or accidents. Among its provisions, it advocates for nations to maintain low nuclear alert levels and refrain from targeting each other with nuclear arms.
The Committee also approved a new resolution to form an Independent Scientific Panel on Nuclear War Effects (document A/C.1/79/L.39). This measure, aimed at studying the catastrophic impacts of nuclear warfare, passed with 144 votes in favor, 3 against (France, Russia, and the United Kingdom), and 30 abstentions.
Another significant draft resolution on Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zones (document A/C.1/79/L.68/Rev.1) seeks a comprehensive study on establishing nuclear-weapon-free areas worldwide. It was widely supported, with a vote of 172 in favor, 2 against (Argentina and Israel), and 3 abstentions (Armenia, Fiji, and the Central African Republic).
These actions underscore the UN’s ongoing commitment to global nuclear disarmament efforts, as the First Committee moves forward with deliberations on nearly 80 resolutions designed to enhance international security.