Declaration on the denuclearization of Africa

XX. RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED ON THE REPORTS OF THE FIRST COMMITTEE
2033. Declaration on the denuclearization of Africa

The General Assembly, Believing in the vital necessity of saving contemporary and future generations from the scourge of a nuclear war, Recalling its resolution 1652 (XVI) of 24 November 1961, which called upon all Member States to refrain from testing, storing or transporting nuclear weapons in Africa and to consider and respect the continent as a denuclearized zone, Recalling its resolution 2028 (XX) of 19 November 1965 on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, Observing that proposals for the establishment of denuclearized zones in various other areas of the world have also met with general approval, Convinced that the denuclearization of various areas of the world would help to achieve the desired goal of prohibiting the use of nuclear weapons, Considering that the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Organization of African Unity, at its first regular session, held at Cairo from 17 to 21 July 1964, issued a solemn declaration on the denuclearization of Africa[1] in which the Heads of State and Government announced their readiness to undertake, in an international treaty to be concluded under the auspices of the United Nations, not to manufacture or acquire control of nuclear weapons, Noting that this declaration on the denuclearization of Africa was endorsed by the Heads of State or Government of Non-Aligned Countries in the Declaration issued on 10 October 1964,[2] at the close of their Second Conference, held at Cairo, Recognizing that the denuclearization of Africa would be a practical step towards the prevention of the further spread of nuclear weapons in the world and towards the achievement of general and complete disarmament and of the objectives of the United Nations,

1. Reaffirms its call upon all States to respect the continent of Africa as a nuclear-free zone;

2. Endorses the declaration on the denuclearization of Africa issued by the Heads of State and Government of African countries;

3. Calls upon all States to respect and abide by the aforementioned declaration;

4. Calls upon all States to refrain from the use, or the threat of use, of nuclear weapons on the African continent;

5. Calls upon all States to refrain from testing, manufacturing, using or deploying nuclear weapons on the continent of Africa, and from acquiring such weapons or taking any action which would compel African States to take similar action;

6. Urges those States possessing nuclear weapons and capability not to transfer nuclear weapons, scientific data or technological assistance to the national control of any State, either directly or indirectly, in any form which may be used to assist such States in the manufacture or use of nuclear weapons in Africa;

7. Expresses the hope that the African States will initiate studies, as they deem appropriate, with a view to implementing the denuclearization of Africa, and take the necessary measures through the Organization of African Unity to achieve this end;

8. Urges the African States to keep the United Nations informed of any further developments in this regard;

9. Requests the Secretary-General to extend to the Organization of African Unity such facilities and assistance as may be requested in order to achieve the aims of the present resolution.

1388th plenary meeting,
3 December 1965.

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[1] See Official Records of the General Assembly, Twentieth Session, Annexes, agenda item 105, document A/5975. [2] See A/5763.