World disarmament conference

Abstract

The concept of a world disarmament conference originated at the First Conference of Heads of State or Government of Non-Aligned Countries, held at Belgrade in 1961. That Conference included in its Declaration' the recommendation that the General Assembly decide to convene either a special session of the General Assembly devoted to disarmament or a world disarmament conference under the auspices of the United Nations. The idea was reiterated at subsequent summit conferences of the non-aligned countries, including the most recent one, held at Havana in 1979. As early as 1965, the General Assembly endorsed the idea of convening a world disarmament conference with its adoption of resolution 2030 (XX) on the basis of a non-aligned proposal. In 1971 the Soviet Union revived the proposal, and the Assembly, by resolution 2833 (XXVI), expressed the conviction that careful consideration should be given to the convening, following adequate preparation, of a world disarmament conference open to all States. Since then, the item has appeared on the agenda each year.