United Nations Security Council Resolution 79, adopted on January 17, 1950, was a significant step towards promoting arms control during a tense period marked by post-World War II geopolitical shifts and the onset of the Cold War. The resolution was proposed by the United States, reflecting its concerns over the armament practices occurring globally. At its core, Resolution 79 emphasized the importance of preventing the proliferation of atomic weapons and aimed to curb the emerging arms race that characterized international relations at the time.

The adoption of this resolution indicated a collective desire among UN member states to establish a framework for disarmament, highlighting the role of the United Nations as a mediator in international security. The Security Council identified the need for a comprehensive plan to reduce the military capacities of states, particularly concerning weapons of mass destruction, which were becoming a primary focus of global security concerns.

Moreover, Resolution 79 was part of a larger discourse on arms control and disarmament that shaped many subsequent treaties and agreements. In a time of escalating tensions between superpowers, the resolution served as an avenue for dialogue and negotiation over arms control, contributing to broader discussions that led to various arms limitation discussions throughout the 1950s and beyond. The resolution highlighted the sense of urgency and recognition of the potential catastrophic consequences of unchecked military expansion, particularly nuclear armaments.