Zones of peace (1964-2005)

As part of wider disarmament efforts in the late 1960s and early 1970s, the GA encouraged so-called zones of peace through support for good offices, among other measures.¹ Sri Lanka first raised the proposal of the Indian Ocean as a zone of peace in October 1964 at the Non-Aligned Heads of State Conference in Cairo.² Following a draft resolution by Ceylon and the United Republic of Tanzania (A/8584), GA resolution 2832 (XXVI) of 16 December 1971 declared the Indian Ocean, “within limits to be determined, together with the air space above and the ocean floor subjacent thereto”, as a zone of peace (A/RES/2832(XXVI), para. 1). The resolution was adopted by 61 votes in favour and none against, with 55 abstentions (including all SC permanent members except for China). The peace zone declaration was “designed to relax international tensions and strengthen international peace and security”.³ The resolution also requested the Secretary-General to report to the GA at its 27th session on the progress made on the implementation of this declaration of the Indian Ocean as a zone of peace, and he did so in July 1972 (A/8809). Although the proposal received broad member support, several States, including major maritime users of the Indian Ocean like France, Japan, the USSR, the UK and the US, expressed reservations (ibid.).

One year later, in December 1972, the GA decided to establish an Ad Hoc Committee on the Indian Ocean, “to study the implications of the proposal, with special reference to the practical measures that may be taken in furtherance of the objectives of General Assembly resolution 2832 (XXVI)” (A/RES/2992 (XXVII), para. 2). Resolution 3080 (XXVIII) of 6 December 1973 also urged States to “accept the principles and objectives contained in General Assembly resolution 2832 (XXVI) … as a constructive contribution to the strengthening of regional and international security” (A/RES/3080 (XXVIII), para. 1). The latest report of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Indian Ocean was published in July 2023 (A/78/29).

Similarly, in 1986 the GA declared (A/RES/41/11) the South Atlantic Ocean (situated between Africa and South America) to be a zone of peace.⁴ Brazil, which proposed the inclusion of this matter on the agenda, had noted that this declared zone of peace could protect developing countries in Latin America and Africa from being affected by global tensions.⁵ In keeping with this, resolution 41/11 called on all States to eliminate sources of tension in the South Atlantic, respect national sovereignty and refrain from the threat or use of force (ibid.).

The early 2000s saw another wave of activity related to zones of peace. In July 1998, Bolivia and Chile had signed an agreement committing to their territories as a Peace Zone free of weapons of mass destruction. In September 2000, the presidents of Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela signed the Communiqué of Brasilia, agreeing to establish a South American Zone of Peace. After a follow-up meeting and re-commitment to this idea of a South American zone of peace, the GA in 2003, commended the decision of the Member States involved to ban the use or threat of force amongst themselves, to make South America free of any testing, development or use of weapons of mass destruction, and other commitments made to contribute to a South American zone of peace and cooperation (A/RES/57/13). The GA similarly welcomed the declaration of an Andean Zone of Peace in 2005 (A/RES/59/54).