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UN council endorses nuclear curbs UN council endorses nuclear curbs
(about 1 hour later)
The UN Security Council has unanimously adopted a resolution calling for nuclear disarmament, in a session chaired by US President Barack Obama.The UN Security Council has unanimously adopted a resolution calling for nuclear disarmament, in a session chaired by US President Barack Obama.
The resolution calls for further efforts to stop the spread of nuclear arms, to boost disarmament and to lower the risk of "nuclear terrorism".The resolution calls for further efforts to stop the spread of nuclear arms, to boost disarmament and to lower the risk of "nuclear terrorism".
It was the first time a US president had chaired a Security Council summit.It was the first time a US president had chaired a Security Council summit.
The resolution comes amid growing concerns among Western powers over Iran's nuclear ambitions.The resolution comes amid growing concerns among Western powers over Iran's nuclear ambitions.
"The historic resolution we just adopted enshrines our shared commitment to the goal of a world without nuclear weapons," Mr Obama told the Security Council after the resolution was adopted."The historic resolution we just adopted enshrines our shared commitment to the goal of a world without nuclear weapons," Mr Obama told the Security Council after the resolution was adopted.
He said the next year would be "absolutely critical in determining whether this resolution and our overall efforts to stop the spread and use of nuclear weapons are successful".He said the next year would be "absolutely critical in determining whether this resolution and our overall efforts to stop the spread and use of nuclear weapons are successful".
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called the resolution "a fresh start toward a new future".UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called the resolution "a fresh start toward a new future".
'Proliferation risk''Proliferation risk'
The resolution does not specifically mention countries by name, such as North Korea and Iran, but reaffirms previous Security Council resolutions relating to their nuclear plans.The resolution does not specifically mention countries by name, such as North Korea and Iran, but reaffirms previous Security Council resolutions relating to their nuclear plans.
READ UN RESOLUTION Security Council resolution in full [39.56KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here Q&A: Nuclear disarmamentREAD UN RESOLUTION Security Council resolution in full [39.56KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here Q&A: Nuclear disarmament
Iran's nuclear programme has been criticised by the US and five nations who are set to hold talks next week.Iran's nuclear programme has been criticised by the US and five nations who are set to hold talks next week.
Iran says its nuclear ambitions are for peaceful energy purposes, but others fear it is developing weapons.Iran says its nuclear ambitions are for peaceful energy purposes, but others fear it is developing weapons.
The resolution commits member nations to work toward a world without nuclear weapons, endorses a broad framework of actions to reduce global nuclear risks. After the resolution was passed, Iran rejected allegations about its nuclear programme as "totally untrue" and reiterated its "readiness to engage in serious and constructive negotiations with interested parties".
The resolution commits member nations to work toward a world without nuclear weapons, and endorses a broad framework of actions to reduce global nuclear risks.
It also urges states to:It also urges states to:
  • join and comply with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
  • refrain from testing nuclear weapons and ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.
  • join and comply with the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)
  • refrain from testing nuclear weapons and ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT)
BBC diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus says Mr Obama is trying to build up momentum ahead of a crucial review of the non-proliferation treaty next May.
Mr Obama stressed that the US would play its part, seeking a new strategic arms reduction treaty with Russia and moving ahead with ratification of the test ban treaty.
"Although we averted a nuclear nightmare during the Cold War, we now face proliferation of a scope and complexity that demands new strategies and new approaches," Mr Obama said."Although we averted a nuclear nightmare during the Cold War, we now face proliferation of a scope and complexity that demands new strategies and new approaches," Mr Obama said.
"Just one nuclear weapon exploded in a city, be it New York or Moscow, Tokyo or Beijing, London or Paris, could kill hundreds of thousands of people.""Just one nuclear weapon exploded in a city, be it New York or Moscow, Tokyo or Beijing, London or Paris, could kill hundreds of thousands of people."
'Tragic mistake' 'Preposterous' allegations
Also on Thursday, a UN conference on a 1996 treaty banning nuclear bomb tests will begin with a speech by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Also on Thursday, a UN ministerial conference adopted a declaration urging compliance with the CTBT, which has been signed or ratified by 100 countries since 1996.
UN ON THURSDAY Security Council: Nuclear non-proliferation and nuclear disarmament General Debate: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin NetanyahuJapanese Prime Minister Yukio HatoyamaVenezuelan President Hugo ChavezIraqi President Jalal TalabaniGeorgian President Mikhail Saakashvili China firm on Iran sanctions Debuts and diatribes at the UN UN Assembly: Key Issues UN ON THURSDAY Security Council: Nuclear non-proliferation and nuclear disarmament General Debate: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin NetanyahuJapanese Prime Minister Yukio HatoyamaVenezuelan President Hugo ChavezIraqi President Jalal TalabaniGeorgian President Mikhail Saakashvili China firm on Iran sanctions Debuts and diatribes at the UN UN Assembly: Key Issues
Her appearance is the first US participation at the biannual conference since 1999, when the US Senate refused to ratify the treaty. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton presence at the meeting marked the first US participation at the biannual conference since 1999, when the US Senate refused to ratify the treaty.
On Wednesday, the first day of the United Nations General Assembly, Iran's plans came under fire from several world leaders.On Wednesday, the first day of the United Nations General Assembly, Iran's plans came under fire from several world leaders.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy said Iranian leaders were "making a tragic mistake" if they thought the international community would not respond.French President Nicolas Sarkozy said Iranian leaders were "making a tragic mistake" if they thought the international community would not respond.
UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown warned Iran - and North Korea - that the world would be even tougher on proliferation.UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown warned Iran - and North Korea - that the world would be even tougher on proliferation.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signalled that Moscow might be prepared to soften its opposition to sanctions against Iran over its nuclear plans.Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signalled that Moscow might be prepared to soften its opposition to sanctions against Iran over its nuclear plans.
But the Chinese foreign ministry said that increasing pressure on Iran would not be effective.But the Chinese foreign ministry said that increasing pressure on Iran would not be effective.
In his speech, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad hit out at countries which undermined the development of other nations under the pretext of preventing arms proliferation. In its statement circulated outside the Security Council on Thursday, Iran said France and the UK had not complied with their own nuclear disarmament obligations, and were therefore not in a position to judge others.
Mr Obama said he and Mr Medvedev shared the goal of allowing Iran to pursue peaceful nuclear energy, but not nuclear weapons. It accused Mr Sarkozy of making "preposterous" claims.
"Our commitment to non-proliferation remains intact," the statement said.