A/RES/39/59
12 December 1984
Meeting no. 97
Prevention of an arms race in outer space
The General Assembly,
Inspired by the great prospects opening up before mankind as a result
of man's entry into outer space,
Recognizing the common interest of all mankind in the exploration and
use of outer space for peaceful purposes,
Reaffirming that the exploration and use of outer space, including the
Moon and other celestial bodies, shall be carried out for the benefit and
in the interest of all countries, irrespective of their degree of economic
or scientific development, and shall be the province of all mankind,
Reaffirming further the will of all States that the exploration and
use of outer space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies, shall
be for peaceful purposes,
Recalling that the States parties to the Treaty on Principles
Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer
Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, have undertaken, in
article III, to carry on activities in the exploration and use of outer
space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies, in accordance with
international law and the Charter of the United Nations, in the interest
of maintaining international peace and security and promoting
international co-operation and understanding,
Reaffirming, in particular, article IV of the above-mentioned Treaty,
which stipulates that States parties to the Treaty undertake not to place
in orbit around the earth any objects carrying nuclear weapons or any
other kinds of weapons of mass destruction, install such weapons on
celestial bodies or station such weapons in outer space in any other
manner,
Reaffirming also paragraph 80 of the Final Document of the Tenth
Special Session of the General Assembly, in which it is stated that, in
order to prevent an arms race in outer space, further measures should be
taken and appropriate international negotiations held in accordance with
the spirit of the Treaty,
Recalling its resolutions 36/97 C and 36/99 of 9 December 1981, as
well as resolutions 37/83 of 9 December 1982, 37/99 D of 13 December 1982,
and 38/70 of 15 December 1983,
Gravely concerned at the danger posed to all mankind by an arms race
in outer space, in particular the impending danger of exacerbating the
current state of insecurity by developments that could further undermine
international peace and security,
Mindful of the widespread interest expressed by Member States in the
course of the negotiations on and following the adoption of the
above-mentioned Treaty in ensuring that the exploration and use of outer
space should be for peaceful purposes, and taking note of proposals
submitted to the General Assembly at its tenth special session, devoted to
disarmament, and at its regular sessions and to the Conference on
Disarmament,
Noting the grave concern expressed by the Second United Nations
Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space over the
extension of an arms race into outer space and the recommendations made to
the competent organs of the United Nations, in particular the General
Assembly, and also to the Committee on Disarmament,
Convinced that further measures are needed for the prevention of an
arms race in outer space,
Recognizing that, in the context of multilateral negotiations for
preventing an arms race in outer space, bilateral negotiations between the
Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the United States of America could
make a significant contribution to such an objective, in accordance with
paragraph 27 of the Final Document of the Tenth Special Session,
Deeply regretting that bilateral negotiations between the Union of
Soviet Socialist Republics and the United States of America on the
prevention of an arms race in outer space have not taken place,
Taking note of the report of the Conference on Disarmament relating to
this question,
Aware of the various proposals submitted by Member States to the
Conference on Disarmament, particularly concerning the establishment of an
ad hoc committee on the prevention of an arms race in outer space and its
draft mandate, which had been considered extensively by a contact group
and through informal consultations and by formal and informal meetings of
the Conference on Disarmament,
Expressing its deep concern and disappointment that, although there
was no objection, in principle, to the establishment without delay of such
an ad hoc committee, the Conference on Disarmament has not thus far been
enabled to reach agreement on a mandate for the ad hoc committee during
its 1984 session,
1. Recalls the obligation of all States to refrain from the threat
or use of force in their space activities;
2. Reaffirms that general and complete disarmament under effective
international control warrants that outer space shall be used
exclusively for peaceful purposes and that it shall not become an
arena for an arms race;
3. Emphasizes that further measures with appropriate and effective
provisions for verification to prevent an arms race in outer space
should be adopted by the international community;
4. Calls upon all States, in particular those with major space
capabilities, to contribute actively to the objective of the peaceful
use of outer space and to take immediate measures to prevent an arms
race in outer space in the interest of maintaining international peace
and security and promoting internatinal co-operation and
understanding;
5. Reiterates that the Conference on Disarmament, as the single
multilateral disarmament negotiating forum, has the primary role in
the negotiation of an agreement or agreements, as appropriate, on the
prevention of an arms race in all its aspects in outer space;
6. Requests the Conference on Disarmament to consider as a matter
of priority the question of preventing an arms race in outer space;
7. Also requests the Conference on Disarmament to intensify its
consideration of the question of the prevention of an arms race in all
its aspects, in outer space, taking into account all relevant
proposals, including those submitted at the thirty-ninth session of
the United Nations General Assembly;
8. Further requests the Conference on Disarmament to establish an
ad hoc committee at the beginning of its session in 1985, with a view
to undertaking negotiations for the conclusion of an agreement or
agreements, as appropriate, to prevent an arms race in all its aspects
in outer space;
9. Urges the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the United
States of America to initiate immediately and in a constructive spirit
negotiations aimed at preventing an arms race in outer space and to
advise the Conference on Disarmament regularly of the progress of
their bilateral negotiations so as to facilitate its work;
10. Requests the Conference on Disarmament to report on its
consideration of this subject to the General Assembly at its fortieth
session;
11. Requests the Secretary-General to transmit to the Conference on
Disarmament all documents relating to the consideration of this
subject by the General Assembly at its thirty-ninth session;
12. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its fortieth
session the item entitled "Prevention of an arms race in outer space".
.