8. Citations Committee Overview The First Committee is responsible for addressing disarmament, global challenges, and threats to international peace affecting the international community. Its primary mission is to find solutions within the international security regime. It handles all matters related to disarmament and international security, whether within the United Nations Charter's scope or pertaining to other UN organs' powers and functions.
The Committee adheres to fundamental principles, including
cooperation in maintaining international peace and security and principles guiding disarmament and armament regulation. It focuses on promoting cooperative arrangements and measures aimed at bolstering global stability through arms reduction.
It collaborates closely with two key bodies: the United Nations
Disarmament Commission and the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva. These partnerships are essential for fostering dialogue, negotiations, and strategies related to disarmament and international security.
A distinctive feature of the First Committee's work is its
entitlement to verbatim records coverage, ensuring meticulous documentation of its deliberations, discussions, and decisions for transparency and accountability. The Committee's sessions follow a structured process, comprising three distinct stages. These include the General Debate, where member states present their views on pertinent issues; Thematic Discussions, providing in-depth exploration of specific topics; and Action on Drafts, where proposed resolutions and agreements are considered, potentially leading to adoption.
This verbatim records coverage aligns with Rule 58 (a) of the rules of procedure of the General Assembly, emphasizing the significance of preserving the First Committee's discussions and outcomes for historical reference. Introduction to the topic Nuclear weapons are one of the largest threats to international peace and security. In response to the devastating 1945 nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly adopted resolution 1(I) in 1946, calling for the elimination of atomic weapons. However, between 1945 and 1950, the amount of nuclear weapons in the world increased from 2 to 304, and throughout the Cold War, the number of nuclear weapons increased exponentially, reaching a peak of over 70,000 weapons in 1987. While the efforts of the international nuclear disarmament regime have decreased this figure to under 15,000 warheads in 2017, nuclear weapons continue to pose a major international security threat. The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists published their 2018 assessment of nuclear risk and noted that “the risk that nuclear weapons may be used – intentionally or because of miscalculation – grew last year around the globe.” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also acknowledged the growing threat posed by weapons of mass destruction, and nuclear weapons in particular.
Currently, nine UN Member States possess nuclear weapons, with
several other Member States having nuclear weapon-sharing capabilities.According to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) (1968), a nuclear weapon is an explosive device that releases energy as a result of nuclear fission. While nearly all UN Member States acknowledge that nuclear disarmament is fundamental for achieving international peace and security, nuclear weapon states (NWS) are reluctant to destroy their nuclear stockpiles for strategical, tactical, and security purposes. This lack of commitment and adherence to the international nuclear non-proliferation regime hampers the ability of the international community to achieve complete and total disarmament.
The General Assembly First Committee is mandated with seeking
solutions to achieve the complete and total disarmament of nuclear weapons. Although the First Committee has aided in making the nuclear non-proliferation regime one of the most developed aspects of international law, commitment and compliance to both legislative and regulatory frameworks is required in order to sustain the regime.The challenges of implementation have been demonstrated most recently with challenges in the denuclearization process of the Korean Peninsula. The international community has also experienced challenges in limiting the further development of nuclear weapons and pursuing good-faith measures for total disarmament, due to a lack of agreement on the way forward and the inconsistent application of existing nuclear disarmament frameworks. Progress in these areas will require additional frameworks and enforcement mechanisms, as well as the universal participation of all NWS. Definitions a nuclear weapon is an explosive device that releases energy as a result of nuclear fission,
the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) was an agreement
signed in 1968 by several of the major nuclear and non-nuclear powers that pledged their cooperation in stemming the spread of nuclear technology,
the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is an
intergovernmental organization that seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy and to inhibit its use for any military purpose, including nuclear weapons,
Global Zero is a movement and vision that advocates for the
complete elimination of all nuclear weapons across the globe,
Nuclear Deterrence is the idea that nuclear weapons serve as a
deterrent to prevent other states from attacking and hence, promoting peace, Historical Context World War II and the Atomic Bomb (1940s): The use of atomic bombs by the United States against Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 marked the beginning of the nuclear age. These bombings led to a recognition of the catastrophic destructive power of nuclear weapons and the need to prevent their use in future conflicts.
The Cold War (1947-1991): The Cold War rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union led to a nuclear arms race, with both superpowers rapidly building up their nuclear arsenals. This era was characterized by the doctrine of mutually assured destruction (MAD), which held that the use of nuclear weapons by one side would result in the total destruction of both sides
The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) (1968): The NPT is a
landmark treaty aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons and promoting disarmament. It recognized five nuclear-armed states (the United States, Soviet Union, China, France, and the United Kingdom) and called on them to work towards disarmament, while non-nuclear-armed states committed not to acquire nuclear weapons.
Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) and Strategic Arms
Reduction Talks (START) (1970s-1990s): These agreements between the United States and the Soviet Union focused on limiting the number of strategic nuclear weapons, leading to the reduction of nuclear stockpiles. Reykjavik Summit (1986): At this summit, U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev came close to an agreement to eliminate all nuclear weapons. While the talks did not result in a final agreement, they laid the groundwork for further arms reduction negotiations.
End of the Cold War (1991): The end of the Cold War marked a significant turning point in nuclear disarmament efforts. With the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the United States and Russia (the Soviet Union's successor state) made substantial reductions in their nuclear arsenals.
Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) (1996): The CTBT
aimed to ban all nuclear explosions, both for civilian and military purposes. While it has been signed by many countries, it has not yet entered into force, as some key states have not ratified it.
New START Treaty (2010): The New START Treaty between the United States and Russia imposed further limits on deployed strategic nuclear weapons and established verification and transparency measures.
Global Zero Movement (2007): The Global Zero movement gained
momentum in the 21st century, advocating for the complete elimination of nuclear weapons. Prominent leaders, diplomats, and experts have supported this vision. Past UN actions The General Assembly has adopted several key resolutions on nuclear disarmament:
The first resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1946
was resolution 1(I) on the “establishment of a committee to deal with the problems raised by the discovery of atomic energy.”The resolution establishes the commission to control atomic materials, to create effective safeguards for the control and use of atomic energy, and to eliminate all atomic weapons and related WMDs.
In 1959, the General Assembly adopted resolution 14/1378 that
calls on all states to establish measures to achieve general and complete disarmament.
Recently, in 2015, the General Assembly adopted resolution 70/40
on the total elimination of nuclear weapons. The resolution reaffirms disarmament commitments in Article VI of the NPT, and specifically calls on nuclear-armed states to completely eliminate their nuclear arsenals. The resolution also calls on states to enter bilateral, regional, and multilateral agreements to reduce existing stockpiles, increase transparency and confidence-building, and establish further nuclear weapon free zones to support total nuclear disarmament.
As the primary deliberative body responsible for international
security and disarmament, the General Assembly First Committee has also taken significant initiative: In 2015, the General Assembly adopted resolution 65/65, which calls for states to immediately begin negotiations on a fissile material prohibition treaty,
In 2017, the General Assembly adopted resolution 72/38; the
document calls on nuclear-armed states to immediately halt improvement and development of nuclear weapons projects and to pursue disarmament measures for total nuclear disarmament. The resolution also calls for the commencement of a legally-binding nuclear disarmament agreement and for the entry into force of the CTBT,
Resolution 72/31, also adopted in 2017, calls upon all states to sign and ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Resolution 72/31 also calls upon states to create additional measures to encourage and assist with the process of total nuclear disarmament and to involve civil society organizations in these processes,
The General Assembly has also held three special sessions on
disarmament in 1978, 1982, and 1998. In all three sessions, Member States acknowledged the need to pursue total nuclear disarmament through international legal instruments and strong, internationally-based enforcement mechanisms,
Lastly, the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs
(UNODA) was created in 1998 to promote nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation and to support regimes in the disarmament of WMDs. UNODA supports dialogue on disarmament and confidence-building measures by providing organizational support and current information on disarmament initiatives and agreements. Major Stakeholders Organizations
IAEA The IAEA, established in 1957, is another organization tasked with promoting cooperation on all areas of nuclear technology to further “peace, health, and prosperity.” IAEA supports the implementation of the NPT, particularly in administering international safeguards and promoting peaceful applications of nuclear energy. The IAEA Department of Safeguards provides verification oversight and technical assistance to support arms control and disarmament and ensure safeguards are being implemented and enforced. In addition, the Department of Nuclear Safety and Security develops nuclear security requirements for Member States by providing assessment and evaluation of current protocols and providing recommendations consistent with international legal obligations on nuclear materials and weapons.
NATO The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has a stated commitment to arms control, nonproliferation, and nuclear disarmament; however, NATO is also committed to continuing to utilize nuclear weapons as a deterrent strategy for as long as nuclear weapons exist.
OSCE The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) is also committed to the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. To this end, OSCE assists its Member States in developing national action plans to support improved legislation, training, and awareness-raising activities to promote non-proliferation. OSCE has also entered into partnerships with UN entities working on this topic, including UNODA.
Regional Entities Regional entities have also been instrumental in leading disarmament efforts by establishing NWFZs. NWFZs are delineated geographical areas where all the states within the region agree not to manufacture, test, acquire, or possess nuclear weapons. There are currently five NWFZs; the first was the Latin American NWFZ established by the Treaty of Tlatelolco in 1967, followed by the South Pacific NWFZ through the 1985 Treaty of Rarotonga, the Southeast Asia NWFZ established by the 1995 Treaty of Bangkok, the African NWFZ through the 1996 Treaty of Pelindaba, and Central Asian NWFZ through the 2006 Treaty of Semipalatinsk.
Civil society organizations (CSOs) also play a key role in
furthering nuclear disarmament and contributing to the development of international instruments and their enforcement. For example, Reaching Critical Will advocates for disarmament by participating in the General Assembly First Committee to monitor progress on various topics and provide input and participate in these discussions. RCW also conducts research, provides analysis and monitoring of progress and challenges, and participates in reporting advances in key disarmament forums. The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) is another CSO that has worked closely with Member States and intergovernmental organizations to draft the TPNW. Countries
United States As one of the world's two major nuclear-armed powers and the only country that has ever used a nuclear weapon, the United States has a significant role in shaping global disarmament efforts. Its policies and actions greatly affect the prospects for disarmament. The United States has been a key player in various arms control agreements, including SALT, START, and the New START Treaty.
Russia As the other major nuclear superpower, Russia plays a crucial role in arms control and disarmament negotiations. Bilateral agreements and cooperation with the United States are central to disarmament efforts. Russia has developed a diverse range of nuclear capabilities and maintains a "de-escalatory" nuclear doctrine.
China China, with its growing nuclear arsenal, is increasingly influential in discussions related to disarmament. Its participation in disarmament negotiations is essential for progress in this area. China, with a "no first use" nuclear policy, commits not to use nuclear weapons unless attacked by a nuclear-armed state. China has made some advancements in its nuclear arsenal despite its history.
United Kingdom As a recognized nuclear-armed state under the NPT, the United Kingdom has an obligation to work toward disarmament, and its actions in this regard are closely monitored by the international community.
France France, like the United Kingdom, is a recognized nuclear-armed state under the NPT. It plays a role in disarmament discussions and actions.
India India is a non-NPT signatory that possesses nuclear weapons. Its policies and actions in the realm of disarmament are a significant factor in the broader context of global zero.
Pakistan Pakistan, another non-NPT signatory with nuclear weapons, is a stakeholder in global disarmament efforts. The security dynamics in South Asia are influenced by its nuclear capabilities.
North Korea North Korea's nuclear program, its pursuit of nuclear weapons, and the international response to its actions are important elements in global disarmament discussions. North Korea is known for its unpredictable nuclear policy and a willingness to defy international norms. It has conducted multiple nuclear tests and missile launches, often in violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions.
Iran Iran's nuclear program and compliance with international agreements, such as the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action), have been a focus of international efforts to prevent nuclear proliferation.
African Union: The AU is instrumental in implementing the Pelindaba Treaty, which established Africa as a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone. The treaty prohibits the development, testing, and use of nuclear weapons on the continent and aims to promote disarmament and prevent the spread of nuclear weapons in Africa. QARMA Questions a resolution must answer
What were the key factors leading to the formation of NPT and the global zero policy?
What are the social, political and economic implications of
nuclear weapons in the status quo?
How can the international community encourage all states to
accede to the NPT?
Through what mechanisms can a policy of global zero be
applied?
How can states balance modernization programs with their
disarmament obligations?
How can the General Assembly and other relevant
organizations support disarmament negotiations in light of a deadlocked Conference on disarmament?
What are some potential challenges in determining the scope
and verification measures for a Fissile Missile Cutoff Treaty, and how can they be addressed?
What diplomatic solutions can be pursued to support the
denuclearization of areas such as the Korean Peninsula, and what confidence-building measures should be pursued to this end? Citations ● https://disarmament.unoda.org/wmd/nuclear/
