A Japan-led draft U.N. resolution on the elimination of nuclear weapons passed a General Assembly committee Wednesday with the endorsement of 163 countries, paving the way for adoption at a plenary meeting in December.
While this is the 21st year in a row that such a resolution spearheaded by Japan has been introduced at the global body, the latest draft has a record number of co-sponsors — more than 110 countries, including nuclear powers such as the United States and Britain, according to the Japanese mission at the United Nations.
Adopted by the First Committee, which addresses disarmament and security issues, the resolution welcomes announcements and recent updates on overall nuclear warhead stockpiles by three of the five major nuclear powers — the United States, Britain and France — and an update on its nuclear arsenal by Russia. The updates "further enhance transparency and increase mutual confidence," the resolution notes.