Resolution 50/66
(December 12, 1995)
This resolution has become a staple in the
basket of Middle East resolutions normally
adopted by the Assembly. As in the past, it was
adopted without a vote.
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolution 3263 (XXIX) of 9
December 1974, 3474 (XXX) of 11 December 1975,
31/71 of 10 December 1976, 32/82 of 12 December
1977, 33/64 of 14 December 1978, 34/77 of 11
December 1979, 35/147 of 12 December 1980, 36/87
of 9 December 1981, 37/75 of 9 December 1982,
38/64 of 15 December 1983, 39/ 54 of 12 December
1984, 40/82 of 12 December 1985, 41/48 of 3
December 1986, 42/48 of 30 November 1987, 43/65
of 7 December 1988, 44/108 of 15 December 1989,
45/52 of 4 December 1990, 46/30 of 6 December
1991, 47/ 48 of 9 December 1992, 48/71 of 16
December 1993 and 49/71 of 15 December 1994, on
the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone
in the region of the Middle East,
Recalling also the recommendations for the
establishment of such a zone in the Middle East
consistent with paragraphs 60 to 63, and in
particular paragraph 63 (d) of the Final Document
of the Tenth Special Session of the General
Assembly,
Emphasizing the basic provisions of the
above-mentioned resolutions, which call upon all
parties directly concerned to consider taking the
practiced and urgent steps required for the
implementation of the proposal to establish a
nuclear-weapon-free zone in the region of the
Middle East and, pending and during the
establishment of such a zone, to declare solemnly
that they will refrain, on a reciprocal basis,
from producing, acquiring or in any other way
possessing nuclear weapons and nuclear explosive
devices and from permitting the stationing of
nuclear weapons on their territory by any third
party, to agree to place all their nuclear
facilities under International Atomic Energy
Agency safeguards and to declare their support
for the establishment of the zone and to deposit
such declarations with the Security Council for
consideration, as appropriate,
Reaffirming the inalienable right of all
States to acquire and develop nuclear energy for
peaceful purposes,
Emphasizing the need for appropriate measures
on the question of the prohibition of military
attacks on nuclear facilities,
Bearing in mind the consensus reached by the
General Assembly at its thirty-fifth session that
the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone
in the region of the Middle East would greatly
enhance international peace and security,
Desirous of building on that consensus so that
substantial progress can be made towards
establishing a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the
region of the Middle East,
Welcoming all initiatives leading to general
and complete disarmament, including in the region
of the Middle East, and in particular on the
establishment therein of a zone free of weapons
of mass destruction, including nuclear weapons,
Noting the peace negotiations in the Middle
East, which should be of a comprehensive nature
and represent an appropriate framework for the
peaceful settlement of contentious issues in the
region,
Recognizing the importance of credible
regional security, including the establishment of
a mutually verifiable nuclear-weapon-free zone,
Emphasizing the essential role of the United
Nations in the establishment of a
nuclear-weapon-free zone in the region of the
Middle East, Having examined the report of the
Secretary-General an the implementation of
resolution 49/71,
1. Urges all parties directly concerned to
consider seriously taking the practical and
urgent steps required for the implementation of
the proposal to establish a nuclear-weapon-free
zone in the region of the Middle East in
accordance with the relevant resolutions of the
General Assembly, and, as a means of promoting
this objective, invites the countries concerned
to adhere to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation
of Nuclear Weapons;
2. Calls upon all countries of the region that
have not done so, pending the establishment of
the zone, to agree to place all their nuclear
activities under International Atomic Energy
Agency safeguards;
3. Takes note of resolution GC(XXXIX)/RES/24,
adopted on 22 September 1995 by the General
Conference of the International Atomic Energy
Agency at its thirty-ninth regular session,
concerning the application of Agency safeguards
in the Middle East;
4. Notes the importance of the ongoing
bilateral Middle East peace negotiations and the
activities of the multilateral working group on
arms control and regional security in promoting
mutual confidence and security in the Middle
East, including the establishment of a
nuclear-weapon-free zone;
5. Invites all countries of the region,
pending the establishment of a
nuclear-weapon-free zone in the region of the
Middle East, to declare their support for
establishing such a zone, consistent with
paragraph 63(d) of the Final Document of the
Tenth Special Session of the General Assembly,
and to deposit those declarations with the
Security Council;
6. Also invites those countries, pending the
establishment of the zone, not to develop,
produce, test or otherwise acquire nuclear
weapons or permit the stationing on their
territories, or territories under their control,
of nuclear weapons or nuclear explosive devices.
7. Invites the nuclear-weapon States and all
other States to render their assistance in the
establishment of the zone and at the same time to
refrain from any action that runs counter to both
the letter and the spirit of the present
resolution;
8. Takes note of the report of the
Secretary-General;
9. Invites all parties to consider the
appropriate means that may contribute towards the
goal of general and complete disarmament and the
establishment of a zone free of weapons of mass
destruction in the region of the Middle East;
10. Requests the Secretary-General to continue
to pursue consultations with the States of the
region and other concerned States, in accordance
with paragraph 7 of resolution 46/30 and taking
into account the evolving situation in the
region, and to seek from those States their views
on the measures outlined in chapters III and IV
of the study annexed to his report or other
relevant measures, in order to move towards the
establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in
the region of the Middle East;
11. Also requests the Secretary-General to
submit to the General Assembly at its fifty-first
session a report on the implementation of the
present resolution;
12. Decides to include in the provisional
agenda of its fifty-first session the item
entitled “Establishment of a
nuclear-weapon-free zone in the region of the
Middle East.”
Sources: The United Nations |