NUCLEAR WEAPON TREATIES
Since the beginning of the Nuclear Age, many nations have sought to eliminate – or at least control the spread of – nuclear weapons through international treaties. At NAPF, we seek a treaty that will ban and eliminate all nuclear weapons worldwide – no exceptions. On January 22, 2021, the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons will enter into force. This is a strong first step in the process of completely eliminating nuclear weapons.
Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons
The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons prohibits the possession, development, deployment, use, and threat of use of nuclear weapons. It entered into force on January 22, 2021. The full text is here.
Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)
The NPT entered into force on March 5, 1970. Five of the nine Nuclear Weapon States are party to the NPT. Israel, India and Pakistan have refused to sign the treaty. North Korea withdrew from the treaty in 2003. Click here to read the full text of the NPT.
Nuclear Weapon Free Zones
Many nuclear weapon free zones exist around the world, along with the sea bed and outer space. Read more about nuclear weapon free zones at Nuclear Files.
Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT)
The CTBT bans all nuclear explosions on Earth, whether for military or peaceful purposes. In order for the treaty to enter into force, eight key countries must still ratify the treaty: China, North Korea, Egypt, India, Iran, Israel, Pakistan and the United States. Click here to read the full text of the CTBT.
New START
The treaty between the United States and Russia for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms is commonly known as the New START Treaty. This arms control measure brought each side’s deployed strategic arsenal down to 1,550 weapons in 2018. The US and Russian Federation agreed on a five-year extension of New START to keep it in force through February 4, 2026.
Fissile Material Cutoff Treaty
The FMCT has not yet been negotiated. The proposed treaty would ban the further production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices. The treaty has stalled for years in the Conference on Disarmament, which requires consensus from all participating nations.