52/46 African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty

The General Assembly,

Recalling its resolution 51/53 of 10 December 1996 and all its other relevant resolutions, as well as those of the Organization of African Unity,

Recalling also the successful conclusion of the signing ceremony of the African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (Treaty of Pelindaba) ⁽¹⁶⁴⁾ that took place at Cairo on 11 April 1996,

Recalling further the Cairo Declaration adopted on that occasion, ⁽¹⁶⁵⁾ which emphasized that nuclear-weapon-free zones, especially in regions of tension, such as the Middle East, enhance global and regional peace and security,

Noting the statement made by the President of the Security Council on behalf of the members of the Council on 12 April 1996, ⁽¹⁶⁶⁾ in which it was stated that the signature of the African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty constituted an important contribution by the African countries to the maintenance of international peace and security,

Considering that the establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones, especially in the Middle East, would enhance the security of Africa and the viability of the African nuclear-weapon-free zone,

1. Calls upon African States that have not yet done so to sign and ratify the African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty as soon as possible so that it may enter into force without delay;

2. Expresses its appreciation to the nuclear-weapon States that have signed the Protocols that concern them, and calls upon those which have not yet ratified the Protocols concerning them to do so as soon as possible;

3. Calls upon the States contemplated in Protocol III to the Treaty that have not yet done so to take all necessary measures to ensure the speedy application of the Treaty to territories for which they are, de jure or de facto, internationally responsible and which lie within the limits of the geographical zone established in the Treaty;

4. Calls upon the African States parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons ⁽¹⁶⁷⁾ that have not yet concluded comprehensive safeguards agreements with the International Atomic Energy Agency pursuant to the Treaty to do so, thereby satisfying the requirements of article 9 (b) of and annex II to the Treaty of Pelindaba when it enters into force;

5. Expresses its gratitude to the Secretary-General for the diligence with which he has rendered effective assistance to the signatories to the African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty in accordance with resolution 51/53;

6. Expresses its gratitude to the Secretary-General of the Organization of African Unity and the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency for the diligence with which they have rendered effective assistance to the signatories to the Treaty;

7. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its fifty-fourth session the item entitled "African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty".

164. See A/50/426.

165. A/51/113-S/1996/276, annex; see Official Records of the Security Council, Fifty-first Year, Supplement for April, May and June 1996, document S/1996/276.

166. Official Records of the Security Council, Fifty-first Year, Resolutions and Decisions of the Security Council, 1996, document S/PRST/1996/17.

167. United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 729, No. 10485.