The United Nations Disarmament And Security

The Secretary-General announced on 24 May 2018 his Agenda for Disarmament, which outlines a set of practical measures across the entire range of disarmament issues, including weapons of mass destruction, conventional arms and future weapon technologies. It seeks to generate fresh perspectives and to explore areas where serious dialogue is required to bring disarmament back to the heart of our common efforts for peace and security.

Treaties are essential to the maintenance of international law and order, and States depend on them to provide stability and consistency in international relations. This publication contains the text of multilateral treaties that focus on nuclear weapons, other weapons of mass destruction, conventional arms, and nuclear-weapon-free zones, all of which are essential for promoting peace and security. It also includes treaties in which disarmament and non-proliferation are important elements within a larger framework of issues, such as the Antarctic Treaty or the Agreement Governing the Activities of States on the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies. The United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs hopes this book will be a useful tool for diplomats, researchers, those in the service of States parties to the various treaties and conventions, those States not yet parties, and in promoting and furthering the universalization of these instruments.

The Disarmament Study Series highlights United Nations General Assembly studies in the field of disarmament undertaken by groups of governmental experts. This report is pursuant of resolution 38/188 H, which called for "a comprehensive study of concepts of security, in particular security policies which emphasize co-operative efforts and mutual understanding between States, with a view to developing proposals for policies aimed at preventing the arms race, building confidence in relations between States, enhancing the possibility of reaching agreements on arms limitation and disarmament and promoting political and economic security".

This study was prepared by a group of experts appointed by the Secretary-General pursuant to General Assembly resolution 33/91 I of 16 December 1978, following a decision by the General Assembly at its tenth special session, contained in paragraph 97 of its Final Document (resolution 5-10/2). It calls attention to the immense dangers and detrimental effects of the arms race. It analyses the connection between disarmament and international security and provides many useful insights. It also stresses that efforts towards disarmament and towards strengthening of international security can and must reinforce each other, so as to promote progress in both fields.

The Disarmament Study Series highlights United Nations General Assembly studies in the field of disarmament undertaken by groups of governmental experts. Prepared by the Group of Governmental Experts on Unilateral Disarmament Measures submitted this report to the Secretary-General in pursuant of resolution 38/183 J, which called for the preparation of a study on "ways and means that seem advisable for stimulating the adoption of unilateral nuclear disarmament measures which, without prejudice to the security of States, would come to promote and complement bilateral and multilateral negotiations in this sphere".