The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolution 2662 (XXV) of 7 December 1970,
Convinced of the importance and urgency of eliminating from the arsenals of States,
through effective measures, such dangerous weapons of mass destruction as those using
chemical or bacteriological (biological) agents,
Having considered the report of the Conference of the Committee on Disarmament dated
1 October 1971, and being appreciative of the work of the Conference on the draft
Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological
(Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction, annexed to the report,
Recognizing the important significance of the Protocol for the prohibition of the
Use in War of Asphyxiating, Poisonous and other Gases, and of Bacteriological Methods
of Warfare, signed at Geneva on 17 June 1925, and conscious also of the contribution
which the said Protocol has already made, and continues to make, to mitigating the
horrors of war,
Noting that the Convention provides for the parties to reaffirm their adherence to
the principles and objectives of that Protocol and calls upon all States to comply
strictly with them,
Further noting that nothing in the Convention shall be interpreted as in any way limiting
or detracting from the obligations assumed by any State under the Geneva Protocol,
Determined, for the sake of all mankind, to exclude completely the possibility of
bacteriological (biological) agents and toxins being used as weapons,
Recognizing that an agreement on the prohibition of bacteriological (biological) and
toxin weapons represents a first possible step towards the achievement of agreement
on effective measures also for the prohibition of the development, production and
stockpiling of chemical weapons,
Noting that the Convention contains an affirmation of the recognized objective of
effective prohibition of chemical weapons and, to this end, an undertaking to continue
negotiations in good faith with a view to reaching early agreement on effective measures
for the prohibition of their development, production and stockpiling and for their
destruction, and on appropriate measures concerning equipment and means of delivery
specifically designed for the production or use of chemical agents for weapons purposes,
Convinced that the implementation of measures in the field of disarmament should release
substantial additional resources, which should promote economic and social development,
particularly in the developing countries,
Convinced that the Convention will contribute to the realization of the purposes and
principles of the Charter of the United Nations,
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1. Commends the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling
of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction, the text
of which is annexed to the present resolution;
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2. Requests the depositary Government to open the Convention for signature and ratification
at the earliest possible date;
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3. Expresses hope for the widest possible adherence to the Convention.
