Resolution aims for world free of nukes

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — With President Barack Obama presiding over a historic session, the U.N. Security Council unanimously approved a U.S.-sponsored resolution Thursday committing all nations to work for a nuclear- weapons-free world.

Russia, China and developing nations supported the measure, giving it global clout and strong political backing.

The resolution calls for stepped-up efforts to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons, promote disarmament and “reduce the risk of nuclear terrorism.” It calls for better security for nuclear-weapons materials and underscores the Security Council’s intention to take action if such material or nuclear weapons get into the hands of terrorists.

The resolution consolidated many elements previously endorsed individually in the Security Council or other international forums. But bringing them together in a single document, voted on by global leaders, should add political momentum to efforts to achieve these goals, particularly at important conferences next year on nuclear security and on strengthening the Nonproliferation Treaty.

It was only the fifth time the Security Council met at summit level since the U.N. was founded in 1945, and 14 of the 15 chairs around the council’s horseshoe-shaped table were filled by presidents and prime ministers. Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi’s name was on the U.N.-circulated list as attending, but he was a no-show. Libya’s U.N. ambassador spoke for his country.

The U.S. holds the rotating council presidency this month, and Obama was the first American president to preside over a Security Council summit, gaveling the meeting into session and announcing that “the draft resolution has been adopted unanimously.”

The council endorsed a global effort to “lock down all vulnerable nuclear materials within four years,” and the president announced that the United States will host an April summit to advance compliance and assist all nations in achieving the goal.