Declaration on a Nuclear-Weapon-Free World adopted in Astana

Declaration on a Nuclear-Weapon-Free World

Astana, October 12, 2011

Astana International Forum for a Nuclear-Weapon- Free World,

Expressing gratitude to the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan for holding the International Forum dedicated to the noble goal of achieving a world free of nuclear weapons,

Recognizing the significant contribution of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Mr. Nursultan Nazarbayev to the global nuclear disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation by taking historical decisions on renouncing voluntarily the fourth most powerful nuclear arsenal in the world and closing 20 years ago one of the biggest nuclear testing grounds in the world,

Welcoming unanimous adoption by the United Nations General Assembly at its 64th session Resolution 64/35 which declared 29 August as the International Day against Nuclear Tests initiated by the Republic of Kazakhstan,

Reaffirming the commitment of the international community to the goal of the ultimate elimination of nuclear weapons and the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free world,

Recognizing that there now exist improved conditions for progress toward a world free of nuclear weapons, and stressing the need to continue to take concrete practical steps towards achieving this goal,

Recalling the need for all States to pursue further practical steps and effective measures towards the total elimination of nuclear weapons in order to build a more peaceful and secure world, and affirming the commitment to do so,

Noting that the ultimate goal is general and complete disarmament under effective international control, with nuclear disarmament as the highest priority,

Noting the Five-Point Proposal for Nuclear Disarmament of the Secretary-General of the United Nations,

Noting the proposal of President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Mr. Nursultan Nazarbayev to adopt a Universal Declaration of a Nuclear-Weapon-Free World,

Welcoming the entry into force on February 5, 2011, of the Treaty between the Russian Federation and the United States of America on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms,

Welcoming the declared moratoria by most NPT Nuclear Weapon States on the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons and on nuclear testing,

Noting with deep concern the inability of the Conference on Disarmament to commence negotiations and substantive deliberations pursuant to an agreed program of work,

Noting with appreciation the unilateral measures taken by some NPT Nuclear Weapon States to reduce their nuclear arsenals and to increase the transparency of their inventories, and encouraging all States possessing nuclear weapons to take further disarmament measures, while reiterating the need for further progress in diminishing the role of nuclear weapons in security policies,

Welcoming the conclusion of a consensus Final Document at the 2010 Review Conference of States Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, including its Action Plans on nuclear disarmament, nonproliferation, and peaceful uses of nuclear energy,

Recognizing the importance of disarmament and non-proliferation education as a useful and effective means to advance the goals of achieving a world without nuclear weapons,

Declares the following:

Notes that it is now opportune for all States that possess nuclear weapons to pursue steps toward the total elimination of nuclear weapons at the earliest possible time;

Recognizes that strengthening international peace and security, the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons and the promotion of nuclear disarmament are mutually reinforcing;

Reaffirms the importance of all States Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) to respect their obligations related to all articles of the Treaty;

Encourages negotiations on further steps leading to nuclear disarmament to which all States Parties to the NPT are committed in accordance with Article VI of the Treaty, including deeper reductions in nuclear weapons of all types, and emphasizes the importance of applying irreversibility and verifiability, as well as increasing transparency in a way that promotes international stability, peace and undiminished and increased security for all;

Calls upon all States to ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, and especially those States whose ratification is required in order for the Treaty to enter into force;

Pending the entry into force of the CTBT, calls on all States to refrain from nuclear weapon test explosions or any other nuclear explosions, and any action that would defeat the object and purpose of the CTBT;

Calls upon all States to fully respect their existing commitments with regard to security assurances, and encourages those States that have not yet done so to work with the States Parties to the relevant nuclear-weapon-free zone treaties in order to reach mutually agreeable terms for extending such assurances to the States Parties in those zones;

Supports the establishment of new nuclear-weapon-free zones that satisfy the principles and guidelines established by the United Nations Disarmament Commission, adopted on April 30, 1999, and further support establishment of a zone free of weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East as essential conditions permit, on the basis of arrangements freely arrived at by the states of the region;

Encourages all concerned States to pursue ratification of relevant protocols to existing nuclear-weapon-free zones at the earliest possible date;

Is committed to the speedy adoption of a non-discriminatory, multilateral, and effectively verifiable treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices; Encourages all States to implement the recommendations contained in the report of the Secretary-General of the United Nations regarding the United Nations study on disarmament and nonproliferation education, in support of achieving a world without nuclear weapons,

Encourages civil society - organizations and individuals - to engage in disarmament education and advocacy.