A U.N. working group on nuclear disarmament on Friday adopted a report recommending to the General Assembly that negotiations to outlaw nuclear weapons begin in 2017.
The report, adopted on the last day of discussions at the U.N.'s European headquarters, says widespread support exists among member states for the start of the negotiations.
The move is expected to stir debate at the General Assembly this fall on a convention that would prohibit the possession, development, testing, production, stockpiling, transfer, use and threat of use of nuclear weapons.