U.N. Security Council OKs nuclear limits

NEW YORK, Sept. 24 (UPI) -- The U.N. Security Council's passage of an arms control resolution memorializes a commitment to "a world without nuclear weapons." U.S. President Obama said.

The Security Council, on a unanimous 15-0 vote, adopted the resolution calling for curbs to the spread and use of nuclear weapons Thursday during a session led by Obama. It was the first Security Council session led by a U.S. president.

"The historic resolution we just adopted enshrines our shared commitment to the goal of a world without nuclear weapons," Obama said. "And it brings Security Council agreement on a broad framework for action to reduce nuclear dangers as we work toward that goal."

The measure, UNSC Resolution 1887, expresses the council's concern about the threat of nuclear proliferation and the need for international action to prevent it.

In calling for nuclear disarmament, the resolution urges all countries to work toward establishing effective measures to effect nuclear arms reduction and disarmament.

Another element calls for a strengthened Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty that sets realistic and achievable goals for disarmament, non-proliferation and peaceful uses of nuclear energy, the White House said.

The resolution also calls for better security for nuclear weapons material to prevent it from falling into terrorists' hands and underscored the council's intent to act if nuclear weapons or related materials are provided to terrorists.

It also demanded compliance with Security Council resolutions on Iran and North Korea, calling on both countries to negotiate solutions, the White House said.

"Just one nuclear weapon exploded in a city -- be it New York or Moscow; Tokyo or Beijing; London or Paris -- could kill hundreds of thousands of people," Obama said. "And it would badly destabilize our security, our economies, and our very way of life."