United Nations General Assembly Resolution 1631 (XVI)

United Nations General Assembly Resolution 1631 (XVI), adopted on October 26, 1961, focused on the problem of promoting disarmament. Specifically, the resolution pertained to the continuation of negotiations aimed at reaching an agreement on general and complete disarmament, including the international control of outer space and the cessation of nuclear weapons testing. It was adopted during the sixteenth session of the United Nations General Assembly.

The resolution urged the governments of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the United States of America to renew their efforts to achieve mutually acceptable agreements on these critical disarmament measures. It specifically recognized the importance of the prevention of the wider dissemination of nuclear weapons and the establishment of a reliable and effective system of inspection and control to ensure compliance with any disarmament treaty.

Resolution 1631 (XVI) reflected the Cold War era's heightened anxieties regarding the escalating arms race and the potential for nuclear conflict. It emphasized the urgent need for multilateral cooperation to reduce international tensions and promote peaceful solutions to global security challenges through disarmament negotiations. The resolution built upon previous disarmament efforts within the UN framework and aimed to provide impetus for further progress in this field. It represented a continuing effort by the international community to manage the risks associated with Cold War rivalry and to seek ways to achieve a more secure and peaceful world.