UN passes Canadian-led resolution advancing nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament

UN passes Canadian-led resolution advancing nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament.  (gc.ca)

The Honourable Stéphane Dion, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today welcomed the overwhelming support a Canadian-led resolution advancing a fissile material cut-off treaty (FMCT) received at the UN General Assembly’s First Committee.

The resolution, which passed with the support of 177 UN member states, establishes a high-level preparatory group mandated to recommend elements of a treaty banning the production of fissile material. It was co-sponsored by Germany and the Netherlands.

A fissile material cut-off treaty would restrict production and access to the materials necessary to create nuclear weapons. It is almost universally regarded as the next logical step in nuclear disarmament.

The work of the high-level preparatory group, which will be composed of 25 states, including states possessing nuclear weapons, will stand as the only current nuclear disarmament initiative bringing together both nuclear and non-nuclear weapons states. The high-level group will advance preparations for the negotiation of this treaty over the next two years.

“Canada attaches enormous importance to making concrete progress on nuclear disarmament. The passage of this resolution, with the support of both nuclear weapons states and non-nuclear weapons states, sets us on this path.

“Future negotiations on a fissile material cut-off treaty will not be easy. However, progress on an FMCT in the near term is possible, and Canada will spare no effort to ensure its success.” - Stéphane Dion, Minister of Foreign Affairs


The possibility of extending verification procedures to India, Israel, North Korea and Pakistan is viewed by many as crucial, as it would legally bring them into the international nonproliferation regime  More on the FMCT here