A nuclear-weapon-free zone is a region in which states have committed themselves to the full prohibition of nuclear weapons or any associated activities. Efforts to establish NWFZs date back to the 1950s, when Poland sought to implement the “Rapacki Plan”. Under this proposal, several Eastern European nations would abstain from hosting nuclear weapons on their territories. Due to the Cold War and tensions between the United State and the Soviet Union, this plan never came to fruition.

In response to the Cuban Missile Crisis, many states in Latin America and the Caribbean came together to ratify the 1967 Treaty of Tlatelolco, which established the first NWFZ. The NPT, which came into force in 1970, also included an article (VII) that affirmed the right for nations to establish nuclear-weapon-free zones. As per the NPT, states located in nuclear-weapons-free zones have called upon the recognized nuclear-weapon states to respect the status of the zones, to various degrees of success.

Typically, NWFZs remain in force for an indefinite period of time. However, all NWFZ treaties maintain provisions for a withdrawal of a member. NWFZs cover all territories of associated states, including territorial seas. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) administers the safeguards for NWFZs.

Treaty of Tlatelolco – 1967 – Latin America

Treaty of Rarotonga – 1985 – South Pacific

Treaty of Bangkok – 1995 – Southeast Asia

Treaty of Pelindaba – 1996 – Africa

Treaty of Semipalatinsk – 2006 – Central Asia