Economic and social consequences of the armaments race and its extremely harmful effects on world peace and security

XXX. RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED ON THE REPORTS OF THE FIRST COMMITTEE
3462. Economic and social consequences of the armaments race and its extremely harmful effects on world peace and security

The General Assembly, Having considered the item entitled "Economic and social consequences of the armaments race and its extremely harmful effects on world peace and security", Recalling its resolutions 2667 (XXV) of 7 December 1970, 2831 (XXVI) of 16 December 1971 and 3075 (XXVIII) of 6 December 1973 on the question, Deeply concerned that, despite the repeated requests by the General Assembly for the implementation of effective measures aimed at its cessation, the arms race, particularly of nuclear armaments, has continued to increase at an alarming speed, absorbing enormous material and human resources from the economic and social development of all countries and constituting a grave danger for world peace and security, Noting that, since the preparation of the report of the Secretary-General entitled Economic and Social Consequences of the Arms Race and of Military Expenditures,[1] new developments have taken place in the fields covered by the reports that are of particular relevance in the present economic and political conditions of the world. Considering that the ever-spiralling arms race is not compatible with the efforts aimed at establishing a new international economic order, as defined in the Declaration and the Programme of Action on the Establishment of a New International Economic Order, contained in General Assembly resolutions 3201 (S-VI) and 3202 (S-VI) of 1 May 1974, in the Charter of Economic Rights and Duties of States, contained in Assembly resolution 3281 (XXIX) of 12 December 1974, as well as in Assembly resolution 3362 (S-VII) of 16 September 1975, and that these efforts imply more than ever the resolute action of all States to achieve the cessation of the arms race and the implementation of effective measures of disarmament, particularly in the nuclear field, Conscious that, disarmament being a matter of grave concern to all States, there is a pressing need for all Governments and peoples to be informed about and understand the situation prevailing in the field of the arms race and disarmament, and that the United Nations has a central role in this connexion in keeping with its obligations under the Charter of the United Nations, Recalling that in its resolution 3075 (XXVIII) the General Assembly requested the Secretary-General to pursue the study of the consequences of the arms race, paying special attention to its effects on the economic and social development of nations, as well as on world peace and security, in order to enable him to submit, upon request by the Assembly, an up-to-date report on that matter, on the basis of the information released by Governments,

1. Calls again upon all States, as well as the organs concerned with disarmament issues, to place at the centre of their preoccupations the adoption of effective measures for the cessation of the arms race, especially in the nuclear field, and for the reduction of military budgets, particularly of the heavily armed countries, and to make sustained efforts with a view to achieving progress towards general and complete disarmament;

2. Requests the Secretary-General to bring up to date, with the assistance of qualified consultant experts appointed by him, the report entitled Economic and Social Consequences of the Arms Race and of Military Expenditures, covering the basic topics of that report and taking into account any new developments which he would consider necessary, and to transmit it to the General Assembly in time to permit its consideration at the thirty-second session;

3. Invites all Governments to extend to the Secretary-General their support and full co-operation to ensure that the study will be carried out in the most effective way;

4. Calls upon non-governmental organizations and international institutions and organizations to co-operate with the Secretary-General in the preparation of the report;

5. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its thirty-second session the item entitled "Economic and social consequences of the armaments race and its extremely harmful effects on world peace and security".

2437th plenary meeting
11 December 1975

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[1] A/8469/Rev.1 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.72.IX.16).