Japan-sponsored resolution calling for abolition of nuclear weapons adopted by UN General Assembly

A Japan-sponsored resolution calling for the abolition of nuclear weapons was formally adopted on Monday by the U.N. General Assembly, marking the 23rd time it has been endorsed by a wide majority of member states. The passage in a plenary vote followed the nonbinding motion’s approval by the assembly’s First Committee on disarmament and security issues in late October. The resolution was backed by 167 countries, including the United States, with four — China, North Korea, Russia and Syria — voting against and 17 including Britain and France abstaining.