Disarmament issues, especially nuclear matters, acted on by General Assembly.

The General Assembly on 3 and 4 December adopted 65 resolutions and 2 decisions relating to various disarmament matters, including more than 20 dealing with nuclear issues. The texts, summarized below, had been discussed and recommended for adoption by the Assembly's First Committee (Political and Security). Assembly votes appear in parentheses.

The Assembly, expressing concern at the continuing arms race "which aggravates international peace and security and also diverts vast resources urgently needed for economic and social development", decided (resolution 41/60 G) to convene its third special session on disarmament in 1988. Two previous special sessions of the Assembly devoted to disarmament have been held, in 1978 and in 1982.

The world body also decided that the International Conference on the Relationship between Disarmament and Development, which was to have been held in 1986 in Paris, would meet in New York from 24 August to 11 September 1987 (41/422).

The mandate of the Ad Hoc Committee on the World Disarmament Conference, a global meeting proposed by the Soviet Union in 1971 on which agreement among nuclear-weapon States has not yet been reached, was renewed for another year (41/61).

The Assembly noted the work of two important bodies dealing with disarmament issues-the 40-member Conference on Disarmament, the world's only multilateral negotiating body on arms control matters, and the Disarmament Commission, the Assembly's 159-member deliberative body created in 1978 by its first special session on disarmament.

The Conference on Disarmament, which has a permanent 10-item agenda known as "The Decalogue", was called on (41/86 P) to report in 1987 to the Assembly on its work (101-0-50). The Assembly also expressed "deep concern and-disappointment" (41/86 M) that the Conference had no been enabled to reach concrete agreements on any disarmament issues in 1985 and 1986 on issues given greatest priority by the United Nations and which had been considered for a number of years. The Conference, it said, should intensify its work, further its mandate more earnestly through negotiations, and adopt concrete measures on specific priority issues, in particular those relating to nuclear disarmament (133-3-17).

The Assembly also noted with regret (41/86 G) that despite the fact that the Conference had discussed the question of the prevention of nuclear war for several years, it had been unable even to establish a subsidiary body to consider appropriate and practical measures towards that end. Suitable steps to expedite effective action for the prevention of nuclear war had to be devised, it said (134-3-14).

The Assembly also decided to keep open the Conference agenda item on the "comprehensive programme of disarmament" in order to permit the Conference to submit a complete draft to the Assembly in 1987 (41/421).

The Assembly (41/86 F) also affirmed that the existence of bilateral negotiations on nuclear and space arms in no way diminished the urgent need to initiate multilateral negotiations in the Conference on Disarmament on the cessation of the nuclear-arms race and nuclear disarmament, and asked that body to establish an ad hoc committee in 1987 to work towards that end (130-15-5).

The Disarmament Commission, which the Assembly described as "the specialized deliberative body within the United Nations multilateral disarmament machinery which allows for in-depth deliberations on specific disarmament issues, leading to the submission of concrete recommendations on those issues", was asked (41/86 E) to continue work in accordance with its mandate and make every effort to achieve specific recommendations in 1987 on outstanding items on its agenda.

That body was also requested (41/59 O) to continue its consideration of the role of the United Nations in the field of disarmament as a matter of priority in 1987, with a view to elaborating concrete recommendations and proposals.

The Assembly (41/60 C) noted the "Draft guidelines for appropriate types of confidence-building measures and for the implementation of such measures on a global or regional level", a document approved in 1986 by the Disarmament Commission, observing that it expected new developments in the field of disarmament and that growing positive and concrete experience with such measures would facilitate further elaboration of that text.

The Assembly adopted two resolutions regarding the work of the Stockholm Conference on Confidence- and Security-building Measures and Disarmament in Europe. By one (41/86 L), it welcomed the adoption on 19 September 1986 of the Conference's Document, which it said contained "concrete, militarily significant, politically binding and verifiable confidence- and security-building measures".

By the other, the Assembly (41/59 E) also welcomed those measures, which it said were designed to reduce the dangers of armed conflict and of misunderstanding or miscalculation of military activities, and invited all States, with full account to be taken of specific regional conditions, to consider the achievement of lessening of confrontation by confidence- and security-building measures which contribute to reducing the danger of surprise attacks, diminish the possibility of misunderstanding or political pressure through the use of military strength and reduce misinterpretations that could worsen crises and eventually lead to conflict (129-0-21).

A study on "Deterrence: its implications for disarmament and the arms race, negotiated arms reductions and international security and other related matters" (A/41/432 and Corr. 1), prepared by the Secretary-General in line with a 1984 Assembly request and made available in 1986, was commended (41/86 R) to the attention of all Member States.

The Assembly also reiterated appreciation (resolution 41/86 H) to the Secretary-General for the compilation of excerpts of scientific studies on the climatic effects of nuclear war, including "nuclear winter", prepared in accordance with resolution 39/148 F, noting that those effects "pose an unprecedented peril to all nations, even those far removed from the nuclear explosions, which would add immeasurably to the previously known dangers of nuclear war, without excluding the possibility of all the Earth being transformed into a darkened, frozen planet, where conditions would be conducive to mass extinction".

It asked the Secretary-General, with the assistance of experts, to carry out a study on the climatic and potential physical effects of nuclear war, including "nuclear winter", which would examine its socio-economic consequences, and to have it ready for consideration in 1988 (140-1-10).

Arms negotiations

The Assembly adopted a variety of texts calling for continued efforts towards concluding international arms control agreements and compliance with them.

By resolution 41/86 K, the Assembly invited all States to strive actively for meaningful disarmament negotiations on the basis of reciprocity, equality, undiminished security and the non-use of force in international relations to prevent the qualitative enhancement and quantitative accumulation of new types and systems of weapons, especially weapons of mass destruction (118-19-9).

By another (41/59 J), States parties to arms limitation and disarmament agreements were urged to implement and comply with the entirety of the provisions of such agreements and to give serious consideration to the implications of non-compliance with those obligations for international security and stability, as well as for prospects for further progress in the field of disarmament.

The Assembly also (resolution 41/86 Q) called on Member States to increase efforts to achieve agreements on balanced, mutually acceptable, comprehensively verifiable and effective arms limitation and disarmament measures. Individual Member States and groups of such States with verification expertise were urged to consider means by which they could contribute to and promote the inclusion of adequate verification measures in arms limitation and disarmament agreements.

Nuclear issues

In resolution 41/86 O, the Assembly called on all States to take urgent measures to promote international security on the basis of disarmament, to halt and reverse the arms race, and to launch a process of genuine disarmament. The two leading nuclear-weapon States were called on to pursue their negotiations with renewed determination to halt the arms race, particularly the nuclear arms race, reduce substantially their nuclear arsenals, prevent the arms race in outer space and undertake effective measures of nuclear disarmament (135-13-5).

In resolution 41/59 F, put forward by China in the First Committee, the Assembly expressed deep concern that negotiations on nuclear disarmament "should yield concrete results at the earliest possible time." The USSR and the United States, "which possess the most important nuclear arsenals", were urged to discharge their special responsibility for nuclear disarmament, to take the lead in halting the nuclear arms race, and to negotiate in earnest with a view to reaching early agreement on the drastic reduction of their nuclear weapons.

A group of Western nations proposed the text of resolution 41/86 A, by which the Assembly called on the USSR and the United States "to spare no effort in seeking the attainment of their agreed objectives" in their negotiations, "in accordance with the security interests of all States and the universal desire for progress towards disarmament". Those Governments were also urged to reach early agreements in those areas "where there is common ground" (88-0-56).

In a third resolution (41/86 N), put forward by some non-aligned nations, an appeal was made to the USSR and the United States to conduct, "pursuant to their special obligations and responsibilities as leading nuclear-weapon States", their bilateral negotiations with the greatest resolve" with a view to achieving agreements on: ways to halt the nuclear arms race, radical reduction of their nuclear arsenals, nuclear disarmament, and prevention of an arms race in outer space (140-0-13).

Test ban: Several texts were adopted with regard to a nuclear test ban, including resolution 41/47, by which the Assembly reaffirmed its conviction that a treaty to achieve the prohibition of all nuclear test explosions by all States in all environments for all time "is a matter of fundamental importance" and urged a number of steps be taken towards the conclusion of such a ban at an early date, including commencement of practical work in the Conference on Disarmament in 1987, and steps to establish an international seismic monitoring network with a view to further development of its potential to monitor and verify compliance with a comprehensive nuclear test ban (137-1-15).

By a second resolution (41/54), the Assembly urged the Conference on Disarmament to proceed promptly to negotiate on all aspects of a test ban, including adequate measures on verification, with the aim of preparing a treaty that would effectively ban all test explosions of nuclear weapons by all States everywhere and would contain provisions preventing circumvention of a ban by means of nuclear explosions for peaceful purposes. The United States was invited to join the moratorium on nuclear explosions declared by one nuclear-weapon State, as were other States (123-3-26).

Another resolution (41/46 A) the Assembly reiterate once again its grave concern that nuclear weapon testing "continues unabated, against the wishes of the overwhelming majority of Member States", and reaffirmed that a nuclear test ban was of "the highest priority". The three depositary Powers (USSR, United Kingdom, United States) of the 1963 Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapon Tests in the Atmosphere, in Outer Space and under Water and of the 1968 Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons were urged to "abide strictly by their undertakings to seek to achieve the early discontinuance of all test explosions of nuclear weapons for all time and to expedite negotiations to this end" (135-3-14).

In resolution 41/46 B, the Assembly recommended that States parties to the 1963 Partial Test Ban Treaty undertake practical steps leading to the convening of a conference to consider amendments to the Treaty that would convert it into a comprehensive nuclear-test-ban treaty, and asked that those States report to the Assembly in 1987 on the progress of their efforts (127-3-21).

The Assembly also (41/59 N) called on States concerned to provide to the Secretary-General within one week of each nuclear explosion its date, time, exact location, geological characteristics and estimated yield, and asked that that information be made available immediately to all States. A register of such information would be submitted to the General Assembly each year (130-1-22).

Freeze: India proposed the resolution (41/60 E) calling on all nuclear-weapon States to agree to a freeze on nuclear weapons, which would provide for a simultaneous total stoppage of any further production of nuclear weapons and a complete cut-off in the production of fissionable material for weapons purposes (136-12-5).

Five nations (Indonesia, Mexico, Pakistan, Peru and Sweden) proposed the text (41/60 I) which the Assembly adopted, urging the USSR and United States to proclaim, either through simultaneous unilateral declarations or through a joint declaration, an immediate nuclear-arms freeze as a first step towards the comprehensive programme of disarmament" and asked those two States to report to the Assembly on the subject in 1987 (139-12-4).

Cuba, the German Democratic Republic, Hungary and Romania proposed the resolution (41/86 B) by which the Assembly considered that the solemn declarations by two nuclear-weapon States (USSR, China), concerning their respective obligations not to be the first to use nuclear weapons, offered an important avenue to decrease the danger of nuclear war, and expressed the hope that those nuclear-weapon States that had not done so would consider making similar declarations. The Conference on Disarmament was asked to consider elaborating an international instrument of a legally binding character laying down such an obligation (118-17-10).

By resolution 41/60 F, the Assembly reiterated its request to the Conference on Disarmament to achieve agreement on an international convention prohibiting the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons under any circumstances, taking as a basis a four-article draft Convention on the Prohibition of the Use of Nuclear Weapons proposed in 1982 by India.

The Assembly (41/59 L) also asked the Conference to pursue consideration of the question of adequately verified cessation and prohibition of the production of fissionable material for nuclear weapons and other nuclear explosive devices and to keep the General Assembly informed of its progress (148-1-6).

Non-nuclear-weapon State security: In resolution 41/51, proposed by a group of socialist States, the Assembly reaffirmed the urgent need to reach agreement on effective international arrangements to assure non-nuclear-weapon States against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons and to find a common approach acceptable to all, which could be included in an international instrument of a legal binding character, and asked the Conference on Disarmament to continue active consideration of the subject (106-18-25).

In resolution 41/52, put forward by Pakistan, the Assembly reaffirmed the urgent need to reach agreement on effective international arrangements to assure non-nuclear-weapon States against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons, and recommended further intensive efforts devoted to searching for a common approach or formula to be included in an international instrument of a legally binding character (149-0-4).

Under an item entitled "Israeli nuclear armament", the Assembly (41/93) reiterated its condemnation of Israel's refusal to renounce any possession of nuclear weapons, and asked the Security Council to take urgent and effective measures to ensure that Israel complied with Council resolution 487 (1981) and placed all its nuclear facilities under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards (95-2-56).

Regional concerns

In resolution 41/45, the Assembly deplored that the signature of Additional Protocol I to the Treaty of Tlatelolco (on prohibition of nuclear weapons in Latin America) by France on 2 March 1979 had not yet been followed by corresponding ratification, and urged France not to delay further such ratification (145-0-7).

The Assembly also decided (resolution (41/60 J) to establish as at 1 January 1987 the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America, with headquarters in Lima, Peru.

By resolution 41/55 A, the Assembly strongly renewed its call on all States to consider and respect the continent of Africa and its surrounding areas as a nuclear-weapon-free zone, and reaffirmed that the implementation of the Declaration on the Denuclearization of Africa by the Organization of African Unity would be an important measure to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons (150-0-5).

By 41/55 B, the Assembly condemned the massive build-up of South Africa's military machine, "in particular its frenzied acquisition of nuclear-weapon capability for repressive and aggressive purposes and as an instrument of blackmail", and further condemned all forms of nuclear collaboration by any State, corporation, institution or individual with South Africa (139-4-13).

The Assembly also welcomed (41/60 D) the establishment on 1 January 1986 of the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa, in Lomi, Togo.

Under resolution 41/48, the Assembly urged all parties directly concerned to consider practical and urgent steps to establish a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East, and invited countries of the region, pending its establishment, not to develop, produce, test or otherwise acquire nuclear weapons or permit the stationing on their territories or territories under their control of nuclear weapons or nuclear explosive devices.

By resolution 41/49, the Assembly reaffirmed its endorsement, in principle, of the concept of a nuclear weapon-free zone in South Asia, and urged the States of that region to continue to make all possible efforts to establish such a zone (107-3-41).

The Assembly also adopted resolution 41/87, which renewed the mandate of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Indian Ocean, empharized the decision to convene the Conference on the Indian Ocean at Colombo as a necessary step for the implementation of the Declaration of the Indian Ocean as a Zone of Peace (1971), and requested the Ad Hoc Committee, taking into account the political and security climate in the region, to complete preparatory work during 1987 in order to enable the opening of the Conference at an early date soon thereafter, but not later than 1988.

Outer space: After reviewing three other texts relating to the subject of the prevention of an arms race in outer space - submitted by Western nations, socialist countries and China - the Assembly approved a text proposed by some non-aligned countries (resolution 41/53), by which it recalled the obligation of all States to refrain from the threat or use of force in their space activities; called on all States, in particular those with major space capabilities to contribute to the objective of the peaceful use of outer space and to take immediate measures to prevent an arms race in outer space; and urged the USSR and the United States to pursue intensively their bilateral negotiations in a constructive spirit aimed at reaching early agreement for preventing an arms race in outer space, and to advise the Conference on Disarmament periodically of the progress of their bilateral sessions so as to facilitate its work (154-0-1).

Chemical and other Types

of weapons

The Assembly (41/58 C) called for compliance with existing international obligations regarding bans on chemical and biological weapons and condemned all actions that contravened those obligations, and strongly endorsed ongoing efforts to ensure the most effective prohibitions possible on those types of weapons (137-0-14).

In resolution 41/58 B, the Assembly reaffirmed the need for the speediest elaboration and conclusion of a convention on the prohibition of the development, production and stockpiling of all chemical weapons and on their destruction, and reaffirmed its call to all States to conduct serious negotiations in good faith and to refrain from any action that could impede negotiations on a chemical weapons ban and specifically from producing new types of chemical weapons, as well as from deploying chemical weapons on the territory of other States (100-11-43).

In resolution 41/58 D, the Assembly expressed its regret and concern that notwithstanding progress made in 1986 in the Conference on Disarmament towards a convention on the effective prohibition of the development, production, stockpiling and use of all chemical weapons and on their destruction, such a treaty had not been elaborated, and urged that the Conference continue negotiations as a matter of high priority in 1987.

The Assembly, in resolution 41/58 A, noted with appreciation the Final Declaration adopted on 26 September 1986 by the Second Review Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction. Signatory States that had not ratified or acceded to the instrument were asked to do so without delay.

The Assembly also (resolution 41/59 A) noted the recommendation of the Conference on Disarmament that its ad hoc committee on radiological weapons be re-established in 1987, with a view to the prompt conclusion of its work.

Iraq proposed a text, which the Assembly adopted as its resolution 41/59 I, reaffirming that military attacks of any kind against nuclear facilities were "tantamount to the use of radiological weapons due to the dangerous radioactive forces caused to be released by such attack" and asked the Conference on Disarmament to reach early agreement on banning military attacks against nuclear facilities (111-3-28).

In resolution 41/56, the Assembly also reaffirmed the need to ban the development and manufacture of new types of weapons of mass destruction and new systems of such weapons, and called on all States, immediately following the identification of any such new type of weapon, to begin negotiations on its prohibition with the simultaneous introduction of a moratorium on its practical development (128-1-25).

States that had not done so were urged (41/50) to exert their best endeavours to become parties to the Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons Which May Be Deemed to Be Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects, which had been opened for signature on 10 April 1981.

The Assembly, in its resolution 41/59 K, also noted with satisfaction the report on substantive consideration of the question of the naval arms race and disarmament by the Chairman of the Disarmament Commission and asked that body to continue consideration of the question in 1987 (53-1-1).

Conventional disarmament

A number of texts relating to conventional disarmament were adopted in addition to resolutions 41/86 L and 59 E concerning the results of the Stockholm Conference.

China proposed a text which the Assembly adopted as its resolution 41/59 G, reaffirming the importance of efforts aimed at limiting and gradually reducing armed forces and conventional weapons within the framework of progress towards general and complete disarmament, and urging countries with the largest military arsenals to continue negotiations on conventional disarmament in earnest, with a view to reaching early agreement on limitation and gradual and balanced reduction of armed forces and conventional weapons under effective international control in their respective regions (150-0-2).

Denmark submitted a resolution (41/59 C) asking the Secretary-General to prepare for the Disarmament Commission in 1987 a compilation of views of Member States regarding the 1984 Study on Conventional Disarmament. The Disarmament Commission was asked to consider in 1987 the question of conventional disarmament, taking into account the recommendations and conclusions contained in the study, with a view to identifying possible measures in the field of conventional arms reduction and disarmament, and to report to the Assembly in 1987.

By another text (41/59 M), the Assembly expressed firm support for all regional endeavours, as well as unilateral measures, directed to strengthening a climate of mutual confidence which would make possible regional agreements on arms limitation in the future and asked the Secretary-General to make available to interested Governments technical services assistance regarding conventional disarmament measures on a regional scale (137-0-7).

Reallocation of resources: In addition to rescheduling the International Conference on Disarmament and Development for 1987, the Assembly acted on other matters relating to reallocation of resources now used for military purposes.

In resolution 41/86 I, submitted by Romania, the Assembly asked the Secretary-General to update the report entitled Economic and Social Consequences of the Arms Race and Military Expenditures (Sales Publication No. E.83 JX.2) and to present it to the Assembly in 1988 (138-1-11).

In another text (41/57), the Assembly declared again its conviction that "it is possible to achieve international agreements on the reduction of military budgets without prejudice to the right of all States to undiminished security, self-defence and sovereignty". It appealed to all States, in particular those most heavily armed, pending conclusion of agreement on reduction of military expenditures, to exercise self-restraint regarding those expenditures with a view to reallocating funds thus saved to economic and social development, particularly for the benefit of developing countries. It asked the Disarmament Commission to conclude in 1987 work on the "Principles which should govern further action of States in the field of freezing and reduction of military budgets"

The Assembly also noted (41/59 H) that the Group of Experts on Military Research and Development, which began work in 1983 on a comprehensive study on that subject at the Assembly's request, had not yet reached agreement on their report and asked the Secretary-General to present available material indicating where consensus could not be reached (137-1-17).

In resolution 41/59 B, the Assembly reaffirmed its conviction that a better flow of objective information on military capabilities could relieve international tension and contribute to confidence-building on all levels, and urged all States to consider implementing additional measures based on the principles of openness and transparency, such as the international system for standardized reporting of military expenditures (116-0-26).

Other action

In a text (41/60 A), put forward by some socialist States, on the World Disarmament Campaign, begun in 1982, the Assembly reaffirmed the usefulness of further carrying out actions and activities, which were an important manifestation of the will of world public opinion and contributed effectively to the achievement of the World Disarmament Campaign and thus to creation of a favourable climate for progress in the field of disarmament. It also called on Governments of all States to recognize and respect the mass peace and disarmament movements as an important factor of current world politics contributing to the promotion of a new political approach required by the realities of the nuclear and space age (114-3-36).

In resolution 41160 B, the Assembly reiterated its commendation of the manner in which the World Disarmament Campaign had been geared by the Secretary-General in order to guarantee the widest possible dissemination of information and unimpeded access for all sectors of the public to a broad range of information and opinions on questions of arms limitation and disarmament and the dangers relating to all aspects of the arms race and war, in particular nuclear war (144-0-9).

The Assembly (41/59 D) also reaffirmed its invitation to specialized agencies and other United Nations organizations and programmes to continue activities aimed at promoting the cause of arms limitation and disarmament (117-16-19).

The Assembly (41/60 H) expressed appreciation to the Governments of the Federal Republic of Germany, Japan, Sweden, the USSR and the United States for inviting participants in the United Nations Programme of Fellowships on Disarmament to study selected activities in that field, thereby contributing to the fulfilment of the overall objectives of the Programme, and approved modalities for a new disarmament training programme (154-1-0).

The Assembly also (41/86 D) expressed appreciation to all States and international and non-governmental organizations for their support and participation in Disarmament Week, and stressed the important role of the mass media in acquainting the world public with the aims of the Week and measures undertaken within its framework (123-1-23).

The value of United Nations disarmament studies and of the need for a thorough appraisal of the subject was reaffirmed (resolution 41/86 C) and Member States which had not yet done so were invited to communicate to the Secretary-General their views and proposals on how the work of the United Nations in the field of disarmament could be further improved,

Preparatory Committee for

disarmament session meets

The Preparatory Committee for the third special session of the General Assembly devoted to disarmament held a brief organizational meeting at Headquarters on 5 December, deciding to hold a substantive session from 26 May to 5 June 1987 in New York in preparation for the 1988 global meet The substantive session would coincide with the 1987 session of the United Nations Disarmament Commission.

At a 1 December organizational meeting, Dimiter Kostov of Bulgaria was elected Commission Chairman for 1987, and All Maher Nashashibi of Japan as Rapporteur. Four of eight Vice-Chairmen were also elected - from Austria, Cameroon, Denmark and Ukrainian SSR.

Disarmament Week observed around

the world by United Nations

"We must remind ourselves time and again that the world in which we live is threatened with the possibility of annihilation", Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar told the General Assembly's First Committee (Political and Security) on 28 October, at a special meeting to commemorate Disarmament Week, observed this year from 24 to 30 October.

The Secretary-General stressed that the nuclear weapon States, especially the two most powerful, had an "awesome responsibility towards humanlity", that the international community had a right to expect that no opportunities would be missed to achieve concrete results on arms control. He said the summit meeting at Reykjavik had proved that high-level dialogue could result in dramatic initiatives and that major shifts were possible on issues "long the subject of indecisive negotiations".

"We all have a stake in disarmament", Assembly President Humayun Rasheed Choudhury told the special meeting. "We all wish our children and grandchildren to grow up in a peaceful world without fear of armed conflict, war or nuclear holocaust. Agreements to limit and reduce arms are one step, but we should also look to a world in which resources now squandered on the arms race are used to enhance the world instead of endangering it, to improve the quality of life on earth instead of destroying it."

Achieving meaningful arms limitation agreements could only be the result of complex negotiations, political give-and-take, "and finally, of taking that extra step necessary to overcome the last obstacle that may stand in the way of an accord", Mr. Choudhury emphasized. The responsibility for that also lay with the First Committee, he said.

Other events: Among other events to mark Disarmament Week was the Fourth United Nations Pledging Conference for the World Disarmament Campaign, held on 28 October, which raised $469,076 for arms control and disarmament activities.

On 30 October, a panel discussion was held at Headquarters on the topic "What hope for the future? An assessment of recent developments in the field of disarmament". The panelists were Maj-Britt Theorin of Sweden, Victor Issraelyan of the Soviet Union and Donald S. Lowitz of the United States. Acting as Chairman was Under-Secretary-General Jan Martenson of the Department of Disarmament Affairs, which co-sponsored the event with the Department of public Information.