The General Assembly,
Recalling, in particular, its previous resolutions relating to the complete and effective prohibition of bacteriological (biological) and toxin weapons and to their destruction,
Recalling also its resolution 46/35 A, adopted without a vote on 6 December 1991, in which it welcomed, inter alia, the establishment, proceeding from the recommendations of the Third Review Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction, of an ad hoc group of governmental experts open to all States parties to identify and examine potential verification measures from a scientific and technical standpoint,
Noting with satisfaction that there are more than a hundred and thirty States parties to the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction, including all the permanent members of the Security Council,
Recalling its call upon all States parties to the Convention to participate in the implementation of the recommendations of the Third Review Conference, including the exchange of information and data agreed to in the Final Declaration of the Third Review Conference, and to provide such information and data in conformity with standardized procedure to the Secretary-General on an annual basis and no later than 15 April,
Recalling also the provisions of the Convention related to scientific and technological cooperation and the related provisions of the Final Document of the Third Review Conference and the final report of the Ad Hoc Group of Governmental Experts to Identify and Examine Potential Verification Measures from a Scientific and Technical Standpoint,
1. Notes with satisfaction that the Ad Hoc Group of Governmental Experts to Identify and Examine Potential Verification Measures from a Scientific and Technical Standpoint completed its work on 24 September 1993;
2. Commends to all States parties the final report of the Ad Hoc Group of Governmental Experts, agreed to by consensus at its last meeting at Geneva on 24 September 1993;
3. Requests the Secretary-General to render the necessary assistance to the depositary Powers of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction and to provide such services as may be required for the convening of a special conference should the depositary Powers be requested by a majority of States parties to convene such a conference in order to consider the final report of the Ad Hoc Group of Governmental Experts;
4. Welcomes the information and data provided to date and reiterates its call upon all States parties to the Convention to participate in the exchange of information and data agreed to in the Final Declaration of the Third Review Conference;
5. Requests the Secretary-General to render the necessary assistance and to provide such services as may be required for the implementation of the decisions and recommendations of the Third Review Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction;
6. Calls upon all signatory States that have not yet ratified the Convention to do so without delay, and also calls upon those other States that have not signed the Convention to become parties thereto at an early date, thus contributing to the achievement of universal adherence to the Convention.
81st plenary meeting
16 December 1993
