(Final Document, Para 218) In this context, the Conference called for the urgent implementation, within a specific time frame, of the Programme of Action, particularly of the nuclear disarmament measures, contained in the Final Document of the special session. The Conference called for the immediate cessation of the qualitative improvement of nuclear weapons and their means of delivery, a halt in the production of fissionable material for weapons purposes and of all nuclear weapons, and the reduction of nuclear weapons stockpiles leading to their elimination. Pending the elimination of nuclear weapons, the nuclear-weapon States are called upon to renounce the threat or use of nuclear weapons and to cease the testing of nuclear weapons. 

(Final Document, Para 28) The Heads of State or Government consider that the greatest peril facing the world today is the threat to the survival of mankind from a nuclear war. Disarmament, in particular nuclear disarmament, is no longer a moral issue; it is an issue of human survival. Yet the renewed escalation in the nuclear arms race, both in its quantitative and qualitative dimension, as well as reliance on doctrines of nuclear deterrence, has heightened the risk of the outbreak of nuclear war and led to greater insecurity and instability in international relations. Nuclear weapons are more than weapons of war. They are instruments of mass annihilation. The Heads of State or Government therefore find it unacceptable that the security of all States and the very survival of mankind should be held hostage to the security interests of a handful of nuclear-weapon States. Measures for the prevention of nuclear war and of nuclear disarmament must take into account the security interests of nuclear-weapon and non-nuclear-weapon States alike and ensure that the survival of mankind is not endangered. They rejected all theories and concepts pertaining to the possession of nuclear weapons and their use under any circumstances. 

(Final Document, Para 30) The Heads of State or Government reiterated their conviction that international peace and security can only be ensured through general and complete disarmament, in particular nuclear disarmament, under effective international control. In order to prevent effectively the horizontal and vertical proliferation of nuclear weapons, nuclear-weapon States should adopt urgent measures for halting and reversing the nuclear arms race. Pending the achievement of nuclear disarmament, the Heads of State or Government, in the name of humanity, demanded an immediate prohibition of the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons by all nuclear-weapon States. They further called for a freeze on the development, production, stockpiling and deployment of nuclear weapons and the speedy finalization of a comprehensive treaty banning the testing of nuclear weapons. They also reiterated that the nuclear-weapon States have an obligation to guarantee that non-nuclear-weapon States will not be threatened or attacked with nuclear weapons. The Heads of State or Government recommended that negotiations should proceed without delay for the conclusion of an agreed international instrument on effective international arrangements to insure all non-nuclear-weapon States, without any discrimination, against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons. 

(Final Document, Para 32) The Heads of State or Government expressed grave concern that certain nuclear-weapon States have deployed or intend to deploy nuclear weapons in various regions of the world. 

(Final Document, Para 33) For approximately 40 years, the survival of mankind has been held hostage to the perceived security interests of a few nuclear-weapon States, in particular thesuper Powers and their allies. To rely on nuclear leverage is to accept a perpetual community of fear that contradicts the Charter of the United Nations, and the approach and principles of the Final document of the Tenth Special Session of the General Assembly (resolution S-10/2), the first special session devoted to disarmament and those contained in the declarations of the conference of Heads of State or Government of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries. The idea that world peace can be maintained through nuclear deterrence, a doctrine that lies at the root of the continuing escalation in the quantity and quality of nuclear weapons and which has, in fact, led to greater insecurity and instability in international relations than ever before, is the most dangerous myth in existence. 

(Final Document, Para 34) The Heads of State or Government expressed deep concern at the rapid acceleration of the arms race, in particular with regard to nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction. They were especially concerned that newly-emerging technologies were producing a new generation of weapons of mass destruction, both nuclear and non-nuclear whose effects were so similar as to obscure the distinction between nuclear and conventional weapons and thus legitimize the possession of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction. In the same vein, new technologies are being applied in preparation for the development of new weapons and weapons systems in outer space, adding a new dimension of grave import to the arms race. 

(Final Document, Para 38) The Heads of State or Government called upon all States, in particular those with major space capabilities, to adhere strictly to the existing legal restrictions and limitations on space weapons, including those contained in the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies (General Assembly resolution 2222 (XXI), annex) and the 1972 Soviet Union-United States Treaty on Antiballistic Missiles, and to refrain from taking any measures aimed at developing, testing or deploying weapons and weapons systems in outer space. Simultaneously, negotiations should be undertaken urgently with a view to concluding an agreement or agreements preventing the extension of the arms race into this area. Measures aimed at developing, testing or deploying weapons and weapons systems in outer space could, through a constant chain of action and reaction, lead to an escalation of the arms race in both “offensive” and “defensive” weapons, thus making the outbreak of nuclear conflict more likely. Such a situation would not only result in a quantum leap in the level of resources expended on armaments, but would also frustrate the efforts currently under way to achieve disarmament. 

(Final Document, Para 44) A comprehensive test ban, which has been pursued for the past 25 years, is a matter of the highest priority for non-aligned countries. A ban on all nuclear-weapon tests would de-escalate the nuclear arms race and greatly reduce the risk of nuclear war. The continuance of nuclear-weapon testing fuels the nuclear arms race and increases the danger of nuclear war. In this regard, the Heads of State or Government emphasized the pressing need to negotiate and conclude a comprehensive multilateral nuclear test-ban treaty prohibiting all nuclear-weapon tests by all States in all environments for all time. The existing means of verification are adequate to ensure compliance with a nuclear test ban. Assertions about the absence of means of verification should not be used as an excuse for the further development and refinement of nuclear weapons. The Heads of State or Government deplored the fact that, owing to the persistent obstruction of a few States, the Conference on Disarmament had been unable to embark upon the multilateral negotiations for a Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, the cessation of the nuclear arms race, and nuclear disarmament. 

(Final Document, Para 47) The Heads of State or Government reiterated that the use of nuclear weapons, besides being a violation of the Charter of the United Nations, would also be a crime against humanity. In this regard, they urged nuclear-weapon States to agree, pending the achievement of nuclear disarmament, to the conclusion of an international treaty on the prohibition of the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons. They considered an important step in this direction to be the early entry of all nuclear-weapon States into an internationally-binding commitment not to be the first to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons. They called for a freeze on the development, production, stock-piling and deployment of nuclear weapons. The freeze of nuclear weapons should, inter alia, provide for the simultaneous stoppage and discontinuance of any further production of nuclear weapons and for a complete cut-off of the production of fissionable material for weapons purposes. 

(Final Document, Para 48) The Movement noted with satisfaction the initiative taken by the Heads of State or Government of Argentina, Greece, India, Mexico, Sweden and the United Republic of Tanzania in their joint declarations of 22 May 1984, 28 January 1985 and 7 August 1986, in which they called upon the nuclear-weapon States to halt all testing, production and deployment of nuclear weapons and their delivery systems, to be followed by substantial reductions in their nuclear forces. The six leaders had further urged that this reduction be followed by a continuing programme of reduction of armaments leading to general and complete disarmament and should be accompanied by measures to strengthen the United Nations system and to effect the urgently needed transfer of substantial resources from the arms race to social and economic development. The Delhi Declaration of 28 January 1985 had specified two steps which required special and urgent attention: the prevention of an arms race in outer space and the early conclusion of a comprehensive test-ban treaty. The Mexico Declaration of 7 August 1986 reiterated the need to adopt these measures. In addition, it urged the leaders of the United States of America and the Soviet Union to continue and re-invigorate the dialogue which they started last year, to set a firm date for a new meeting between them, and by an approach of mutual compromise and conciliation to ensure that such dialogue leads to practical results in the field of disarmament. The Heads of State or Government emphasized that these actions were in conformity with the basic approach of the non-aligned countries and showed the relevance of the principles of non-alignment and the positions of non-aligned countries for the international community at large. 

(Final Document, Para 5) The Heads of State or Government underlined in particular that general and complete disarmament under effective international control is by its very nature unattainable unless all countries joined in its implementation. They stressed that the use of nuclear weapons could lead to the extinction of human life on earth. Since nuclear war threatens the very right to live, all nations have an equal stake in preventing it. They were of the view that the on-going process of disarmament could be quickened and its coverage widened through the common endeavour of the entire international community. Clearly, the disarmament process cannot be carried out without a contribution by all States and especially by the Great Powers and their military alliances, which have the greatest responsibility in that regard. The Heads of State or Government expressed the firm resolve of their countries to continue to constructively encourage disarmament. They stressed that the strengthening of international security through disarmament and restraints of the qualitative and quantitative escalation of arms race, remains one of the most significant objectives and motives of the Movement’s constant commitment. Proceeding from the view that disarmament is a component of detente and security, including the national security of Non-Aligned Countries as a group and each of them individually, they stressed that the policy and practice of non-alignment stands for disarmament as the most tangible form of negation of military might and the use of force in international relations. 

(Final Document, Para 9) The Heads of State or Government, however, noted that while the overall international climate is positive, there is still much to be done to halt the arms race. Even if the current goals in East-West arms negotiations are achieved, the two blocs will retain significant nuclear and conventional arsenals. They emphasized the extreme urgency of adopting measures for achieving nuclear disarmament through a time-bound program for the complete elimination of nuclear weapons. Meanwhile, they reiterated the need for non-nuclear weapons states to be assured against the use or treat of use of nuclear weapons, and urged for the early conclusion of an international agreement for this purpose. In addition, they stressed the need for the conclusion of an international agreement prohibiting all use of nuclear weapons under any circumstances. They reiterated the urgency of preventing the arms race in outer space, which should be used exclusively for peaceful purposes. They further stressed the importance of naval disarmament. They also underlined the need to prevent the arms race in its qualitative aspects. 

(Final Document, Para 39) The Heads of State or Government observed that the objective of seeking unilateral security through armaments has proved to be a dangerous illusion. The build-up of military power undermines rather than strengthens security. Neither quantitative additions nor qualitative improvements to weapons have reduced a state’s vulnerability or led to absolute security. It is also self-evident that political objectives can no longer be achieved by military means. In this context, they called for enhancement of security to be pursued not at the cost of other countries but in concert with them. Hence, the rational option is to seek security for all through total nuclear disarmament, elimination of all other weapons of mass destruction, and through the balanced and progressive reductions of conventional armaments at the global and regional levels. 

(Final Document, Para 44) The Heads of State or Government also welcomed the broadening and deepening of the dimensions of disarmaments. Far from the mere regulation of armaments and the arms race, agreements now include the destruction of existing arsenals, as well as limiting future production.They also noted with satisfaction the decisive progress achieved in the complex field of verification and in the on-site inspection provisions which are now included to ensure compliance with agreements. In this context, they called for the establishment of a multilateral satellite verification system under the auspices of the United Nations to facilitate such processes on a secure and permanent basis which would ensure equal access to information for all States. 

(Final Document, Para 45) Despite the end of the cold war and East-West confrontation, the Heads of State or Government deplored the lack of progress on measures to provide assurances to all non-nuclear-weapon States against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons. Strategic doctrines continue to cast their shadow across the globe, while the world is still threatened by existing nuclear arsenals, which are being further refined and increased. They warned that while many other contentious issues still remain unresolved, continuing insistence to promote anti-missile defences and other weapon systems is fraught with potentially disastrous consequences including the extension of the arms race to outer space and will increase the North-South divide further. 

(Final Document, Para 82) Matters related to disarmament, arms limitation and control and international security have acquired a totally new dimension with the disappearance of the East-West confrontation. Nuclear deterrent scenarios of the past are no longer relevant. In the post-Cold War era there is no justification whatsoever, if there was ever any, to maintain nuclear arsenals and much less to add new ones as a continuation of the arms race. The time has come for the entire stockpiles of these deadly weapons of mass destruction to be destroyed once and for all. The non-proliferation regime will not be successful without a clear perspective on nuclear disarmament. They called for a renunciation of strategic doctrines based upon the use of nuclear weapons and called for the adoption of an action plan for elimination of all nuclear weapons, within a time-bound framework. They reiterated their belief that general and complete disarmament under effective international control remains the ultimate objective to be achieved for which a comprehensive, non-discriminatory and balanced approach towards international security should be adopted. 

(Final Document, Para 93) The Heads of State or Government Parties to the NPT strongly deplored that the Nuclear-Weapon States have not fulfilled up to now the obligations contained in Article VI of the NPT and reiterated the urgent need to achieve the total elimination of all existing nuclear weapons as an indispensable step towards general and complete disarmament under strict and efficient international control. They called for the determined pursuit by the Nuclear- Weapon States of systematic and progressive efforts in this regard. They also urged the Nuclear-Weapon States to end immediately the qualitative improvement, development and production of nuclear weapons. 

(Final Document, Para 70) In the context of the Nuclear Posture Review that has been undertaken by the United States of America, the Heads of State or Government expressed serious concern that the development of new types of nuclear weapons are being considered and reiterated that the provision for the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons against Non-Nuclear Weapon States is in contravention of the negative security assurances that have been provided by the Nuclear Weapons States. They restated that the development of new types of nuclear weapons is in contravention with the assurances provided by the Nuclear Weapons States at the time of the conclusion of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty that the Treaty would prevent the improvement of existing nuclear weapons and development of new types of nuclear weapons. 

(Final Document, Para 77) The Heads of State or Government continued to be concerned over the negative implications of the development and deployment of anti-ballistic missile defence systems and the pursuit of advanced military technologies capable of being deployed in outer space which have, inter alia, contributed to the further erosion of an international climate conducive to the promotion of disarmament and the strengthening of international security. The abrogation of the Treaty on the Limitation of Anti-ballistic Missiles (ABM) brings new challenges to strategic stability and the prevention of an arms race in outer space. They remained concerned that the implementation of a national missile defence system could trigger an arms race(s) and the further development of advanced missile systems and an increase in the number of nuclear weapons. In accordance with United Nations General Assembly Resolution 57/57, they emphasised the urgent need for the commencement of substantive work, in the Conference on Disarmament, on the prevention of an arms race in outer space. 

(Final Document, Para 76) The Heads of State or Government reiterated that the improvement in the existing nuclear weapons and the development of new types of nuclear weapons as envisaged in the United States Nuclear Posture Review contravene the security assurances provided by the NWS. They further reaffirmed that these improvements as well as the development of new types of such weapons violate the commitments undertaken by the NWS at the time of the conclusion of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). 

(Final Document, Para 85) The Heads of State or Government continued to be concerned over the negative implications of the development and deployment of anti-ballistic missile (ABM) defence systems and the pursuit of advanced military technologies capable of being deployed in outer space which have, inter alia, contributed to the further erosion of an international climate conducive to the promotion of disarmament and the strengthening of international security. The abrogation of the ABM Treaty brings new challenges to strategic stability and the prevention of the arms race in outer space. They remained concerned that the implementation of a national missile defence system could trigger an arms race(s) and the further development of advanced missile systems and an increase in the number of nuclear weapons.  

(Final Document, Para 109) The Heads of State and Government reiterated that improvements in existing nuclear weapons and the development of new types of nuclear weapons as envisaged in the United States Nuclear Posture Review contravene the security assurances provided by the NWS. They further reaffirmed that these improvements as well as the development of new types of such weapons violate the commitments undertaken by the NWS at the time of the conclusion of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). 

(Final Document, Para 119) The Heads of State and Government continued to be concerned over the negative implications of the development and deployment of anti-ballistic missile (ABM) defence systems and the threat of weaponization of outer space which have, inter alia, contributed to the further erosion of an international climate conducive to the promotion of disarmament and the strengthening of international security. The abrogation of the ABM Treaty brings new challenges to strategic stability and the prevention of the arms race in outer space. They remained concerned that the implementation of a national missile defence system could trigger an arms race(s) and the further development of advanced missile systems and an increase in the number of nuclear weapons. 

(Final Document, Para 149) Mindful of the threat posed to humankind by the existing weapons of mass destruction and underlining the need for the total elimination of such weapons, the Heads of State and Government reaffirmed the need to prevent the emergence of new types of weapons of mass destruction and therefore supported the necessity of monitoring the situation and triggering international action as required. 

(Final Document, Para 139) The Ministers reiterated that improvements in existing nuclear weapons and the development of new types of nuclear weapons as envisaged in the United States Nuclear Posture Review contravene the security assurances provided by the NWS. They further reaffirmed that these improvements as well as the development of new types of such weapons violate the commitments undertaken by the NWS at the time of the conclusion of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). 

(Final Document, Para 153) The Ministers continued to be concerned over the negative implications of the development and deployment of anti-ballistic missile (ABM) defence systems and the threat of weaponization of outer space which have, inter alia, contributed to the further erosion of an international climate conducive to the promotion of disarmament and the strengthening of international security. The abrogation of the ABM Treaty brought new challenges to strategic stability and the prevention of the arms race in outer space. They remained seriously concerned at the negative security consequences of the deployment of strategic missile defence systems which could trigger an arms race(s) and lead to the further development of advanced missile systems and an increase in the number of nuclear weapons. 

(Final Document, Para 188) Mindful of the threat posed to humankind by the existing weapons of mass destruction particularly Nuclear Weapons and underlining the need for the total elimination of such weapons, the Ministers reaffirmed the need to prevent the emergence of new types of weapons of mass destruction and therefore supported the necessity of monitoring the situation and triggering international action as required. 

(Final Document, Para 173) The Heads of State or Government reiterated, with concern, that improvements in existing nuclear weapons and the development of new types of nuclear weapons as provided for in the military doctrines of some NWS, including the United States Nuclear Posture Review, violate their legal obligations on nuclear disarmament, as well as the commitments made to diminish the role of nuclear weapons in their military and security policies and contravene the negative security assurances provided by the NWS. They stressed once again that these improvements as well as the development of new types of such weapons violate also the commitments undertaken at the time of the conclusion of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) and at the NPT Review Conferences by the NWS. 

(Final Document, Para 188) The Heads of State or Government continued to be concerned over the negative implications of the development and deployment of anti-ballistic missile (ABM) defense systems and the threat of weaponization of outer space which have, inter alia, contributed to the further erosion of an international climate conducive to the promotion of disarmament and the strengthening of international security. The abrogation of the ABM Treaty brought new challenges to strategic stability and the prevention of an arms race in outer space. They remained seriously concerned at the negative security consequences of the deployment of strategic missile defence systems which could trigger an arms race(s) and lead to the further development of advanced missile systems and an increase in the number of nuclear weapons. 

(Final Document, Para 235) Mindful of the threat posed to humankind by the existing weapons of mass destruction, particularly nuclear weapons and underlining the need for the total elimination of such weapons, the Heads of State or Government reaffirmed the need to prevent the emergence of new types of weapons of mass destruction and therefore supported the necessity of monitoring the situation and triggering international action as required. In this regard, the Heads of State or Government welcomed the adoption of the General Assembly Resolution 69/27 entitled “Prohibition of the development and manufacture of new types of weapons of mass destruction and new systems of such weapons: report of the Conference on Disarmament”.