(conducted uP to non betr.veen lhree nuclear power s signatories to the non-proliferation treaty, which neither France nor ctrina have signed) within the enlaigecl comnittee on Di sarmamen t- 24/ Ttre conference ended without a joint comnurriqud, ralsing serious nisqivi;ts about its future deliberations and their eventual outcome in strengthening the ProsPects of overconing the dangers of A/37/386 Engl ish Annex Page 26 further horrzontar and vertlcal proriferatron of nuclear weapons. one of thedevelopments provoking grorving concern pertains to persistent reports throughoutthe rnid-1970s - and confirmed recentry Ly two united Nations expert 'tudies - L,hichshcH that both rsrael and south arrici have cone within announcement distance of anuclear-weapon capability vri.thout it being recorded in a nuclear explosioh. 25l 52. Ttre Second Revier.' Conference of the parties to the Treaty on theNon-Prol iferatl'on of rfucrear weapons refrected onry one of the severar- lnstances ofrecurring deadrocks in other deliberative and negotiating forums for disarlEment.The tesulting inpasse of the early lggos could becone the basis not only foranother najor round of escalation in the arms race, but also for the nountingevidence that both those in the forefront of its technorogicar and strategrcrprnentum and those enurating it on the peripheries are increasingly confrontingsoclo-econonic presaures to reverse course, The f,orces that drive the arns racealong, the purposes it serves and i[s various forms of rnanifestation are b€ings€riously questioned by an unprecedented nunber of well-informed peopre alr overthe world. A co-ordinated nrovement effective enough to become an irresistibrePressure on decis ion-rnakers is beginning to energe. Even in its infancy, it hasanassed very convincing evidence of the sociar perversrty a,'d the e"onoric burdens of the arms r ace.
**Analysis**
The text discusses the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, the risks of the arms race, and the need for a coordinated movement to reverse course. It mentions the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the United Nations, indicating an international focus. The text also touches on the economic and social burdens of the arms race, hinting at a connection to broader societal issues.

**Category**
Science and technology, International trade