ABSTRACT
The General Assembly, Having considered the item entitled ‘Historical responsibility of states for the preservation of nature for present and future generations’, Conscious of the disastrous consequences which a war involving the use of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction would have on man and his environment, Noting that the continuation of the arms race, including the testing of various types of weapons, especially nuclear weapons, and the accumulation of toxic chemicals are adversely affecting the human environment and damaging the vegetable and animal world, Bearing in mind that the arms race is diverting material and intellectual resources from the solution of the urgent problems of preserving nature, Attaching great importance to the development of planned, constructive international co-operation in solving the problems of preserving nature, Recognising that the prospects for solving problems so universal as the preservation of nature are closely linked to the strengthening and development of international détente and the creation of conditions which would banish war from the life of mankind, Noting with satisfaction the drafting and signature in recent years of a number of international agreements designed to preserve the environment, Determined to preserve nature as a prerequisite for the normal life of man 1 Proclaims the historical responsibility of states for the preservation of nature for present and future generations; 2 Draws the attention of states to the fact that the continuing arms race has pernicious effects on the environment and reduces the prospects for the necessary international co-operation in preserving nature on our planet; 3 Calls upon states, in the interest of present and future generations, to demonstrate due concern and take the measures, including legislative measures, necessary for preserving nature, and also to promote international co-operation in this field; 4 Requests the Secretary General, with the co-operation of the United Nations Environment Programme, to prepare a report on the pernicious effects of the arms race on nature and to seek the views of states on possible measures to be taken at the international level for the preservation of nature; 5 Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its thirty-sixth session an item entitled ‘Historical responsibility of states for the preservation of nature for present and future generations: report of the Secretary General’.
