The idea of the conclusion of an international agreement on the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons emerged in discussions at the United Nations and elsewhere among other proposals addressing themselves to the consideration of measures needed to ward off the danger of nuclear-weapon proliferation and increased international co-operation in the peaceful uses of atomic energy. As a result of initiatives taken in the General Assembly, negotiations started on a non-proliferation treaty in the early 1960s. After years of arduous debate, both in the Eighteen-Nation Committee on Disarmament (ENDC) and the General Assembly, agreement was reached and the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons was opened for signature in 1968 (resolution 2373 (XXII), annex).