Forty-ninth session
Agenda item 153
RESOLUTION ADOPTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
The General Assembly,
Recalling its previous resolutions relating to the complete
and effective prohibition of bacteriological (biological) and
toxin weapons and to their destruction,
Recalling also, in particular, its resolution 46/35 A,
adopted without a vote on 6 December 1991, in which it welcomed,
inter alia, the establishment, proceeding from the recommendations
of the Third 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, See BWC/CONF.III/23. 95-76105 of an ad hoc group
of governmental experts open to all States parties to identify
and examine potential verification measures from a scientific
and technical standpoint,
Recalling further its resolution 48/65, adopted without
a vote on 16 December 1993, in which it commended the final report
of the Ad Hoc Group of Governmental Experts to Identify and Examine
Potential Verification Measures from a Scientific and Technical
Standpoint, BWC/CONF.III/VEREX/9 and Corr.1. agreed to by consensus
at its last meeting at Geneva on 24 September 1993,
Noting with satisfaction that there are more than one hundred
and thirty States parties to the Convention on the Prohibition
of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological
(Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction, Resolution
2826 (XXVI), annex. including all the permanent members of the
Security Council,
Bearing in mind its call upon all States parties to the
Convention to participate in the implementation of the recommendations
of the Third Review Conference, including the exchange of information
and data agreed to in the Final Declaration of the Third Review
Conference, BWC/CONF.III/23, part II. and to provide such information
and data in conformity with standardized procedure to the Secretary-General
on an annual basis and no later than 15 April,
Recalling the provisions of the Convention related to scientific
and technological cooperation See resolution 2826 (XXVI), annex,
article X. and the related provisions of the Final Document of
the Third Review Conference, the final report of the Ad Hoc Group
of Governmental Experts and the final report of the Special Conference
of the States Parties to the Convention, held from 19 to 30 September
1994, BWC/SPCONF/1.
1. Notes that a majority of States parties to the Convention
on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling
of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their
Destruction requested the depositary Powers to convene a special
conference in order to consider the final report of the Ad Hoc
Group of Governmental Experts to Identify and Examine Potential
Verification Measures from a Scientific and Technical Standpoint;
2/
2. Welcomes the final report of the Special Conference,
adopted by consensus on 30 September 1994, in which the States
parties agreed to establish an ad hoc group, open to all States
parties, whose objective shall be to consider appropriate measures,
including possible verification measures, and draft proposals
to strengthen the Convention, to be included, as appropriate,
in a legally binding instrument to be submitted for the consideration
of the States parties;
3. Welcomes the information and data provided to date and
reiterates its call upon all States parties to the Convention
to participate in the exchange of information and data agreed
to in the Final Declaration of the Third 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;
4. Requests the Secretary-General to render the necessary
assistance to the depositary Powers of the Convention and to provide
such services as may be required for the implementation of the
decisions and recommendations of the Third Review Conference,
as well as the decisions contained in the Final Report of the
Special Conference, including all necessary assistance to the
Ad Hoc Group of Governmental Experts;
5. Calls upon all signatory States that have not yet ratified
the Convention to do so without delay, and also calls upon those
States that have not signed the Convention to become parties thereto
at an early date, thus contributing to the achievement of universal
adherence to the Convention;
6. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its
fiftieth session the item entitled "Convention on the Prohibition
of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological
(Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction".
90th plenary meeting
15 December 1994