Disarmament

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 establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone is not a new idea. Two such zones exist in Latin America and the Caribbean and in the South Pacific. This publication discusses a number of steps and measures that could ease the process leading to the establishment of such a zone in the Middle East - an area that can still be termed politically unsettled and militarily volatile. Most of the measures proposed could have a positive effect on the prospects of the region.

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 addresses the role of the United Nations in the field of verification of arms limitation and disarmament taking into consideration approaches, methods, procedures and techniques relating to other arrangements in the area of international peace and security.

The Disarmament Study Series highlights United Nations General Assembly studies in the field of disarmament undertaken by groups of governmental experts. Pursuant the resolution 33/71 J, this study focuses on the technical, legal and financial implications of establishing an international satellite monitoring agency.

The Disarmament Study Series is a series that highlights United Nations General Assembly studies in the field of disarmament undertaken by groups of governmental experts. This report presents the findings on the study of Israeli nuclear armament.

This reports is in pursuance of resolution 38/188 G of 20 December 1983. It consists of a broad introduction to the subject as a whole, a description of the principle reasons for the development of the naval community, a consideration of applications and uses of naval capabilities. It also describes the maritime legal context, in particular the effects of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, analyses analyses the implications of these factors for international security and the peaceful uses of the sea, and attempts to identify possible measures for disarmament and confidence-building.

This report provides a reappraisal of the disarmament-development relationship and the role of the Organization. It makes numerous recommendations and includes specific areas for further research by specialized United Nations bodies and non-governmental organizations in order to enhance understanding of this topic.