Resolution adopted by the General Assembly [on the report of the First Committee (A/56/531)] 56/20. Role of science and technology in the context of international security and disarmament The General Assembly, Recognizing that scientific and technological developments can have both civilian and military applications and that progress in science and technology for civilian applications needs to be maintained and encouraged, Concerned that military applications of scientific and technological developments can contribute significantly to the improvement and upgrading of advanced weapons systems and, in particular, weapons of mass destruction, Aware of the need to follow closely the scientific and technological developments that may have a negative impact on international security and disarmament, and to channel scientific and technological developments for beneficial purposes, Cognizant that the international transfers of dual-use as well as high- technology products, services and know-how for peaceful purposes are important for the economic and social development of States, Also cognizant of the need to regulate such transfers of dual-use goods and technologies and high technology with military applications through multilaterally negotiated, universally applicable, non-discriminatory guidelines, Expressing concern about the growing proliferation of ad hoc and exclusive export control regimes and arrangements for dual-use goods and technologies, which tend to impede the economic and social development of developing countries, Recalling that in the Final Document of the Twelfth Conference of Heads of State or Government of Non-Aligned Countries, held at Durban, South Africa, from 29 August to 3 September 1998,1 it was noted with concern that undue restrictions on exports to developing countries of material, equipment and technology for peaceful purposes persist, _______________ 1 A/53/667-S/1998/1071, annex I.  A/RES/56/20 2 Emphasizing that internationally negotiated guidelines for the transfer of high technology with military applications should take into account the legitimate defence requirements of all States and the requirements for the maintenance of international peace and security, while ensuring that access to high-technology products and services and know-how for peaceful purposes is not denied, 1. Affirms that scientific and technological progress should be used for the benefit of all mankind to promote the sustainable economic and social development of all States and to safeguard international security and that international cooperation in the use of science and technology through the transfer and exchange of technological know-how for peaceful purposes should be promoted; 2. Invites Member States to undertake additional efforts to apply science and technology for disarmament-related purposes and to make disarmament-related technologies available to interested States; 3. Urges Member States to undertake multilateral negotiations with the participation of all interested States in order to establish universally acceptable, non- discriminatory guidelines for international transfers of dual-use goods and technologies and high technology with military applications; 4. Encourages United Nations bodies to contribute, within existing mandates, to promoting the application of science and technology for peaceful purposes; 5. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its fifty-seventh session the item entitled “Role of science and technology in the context of international security and disarmament”.