Timeline to 2020:

Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)

 Key website: Review Conferences and Preparatory Committees (Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons)

Background:

Entered into force on 5 March 1970, the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), is a landmark international treaty whose objectives are broadly (a) to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology, (b) to promote cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and (c) to further the goal of achieving nuclear disarmament and general and complete disarmament. The NPT is the cornerstone of the global nuclear non-proliferation regime. With 190 State parties, the treaty is the sole binding commitment via a multilateral treaty to the goal of disarmament by nuclear-weapon States.[1]

The provisions of the Treaty, particularly article VIII, paragraph 3, envisage a review of the operation of the Treaty every five years, a provision which was reaffirmed by the States parties at the NPT Review and Extension Conference on 11 May 1995 (during which time it was also extended indefinitely). Held at the UN Headquarters in New York since 1975, Review Conferences bring NPT States together to find agreement on a final declaration that assesses the implementation of the Treaty’s provisions, assesses implementation of previous review conference outcome documents, and makes recommendations to further strengthen and fulfil Treaty objectives and requirements.

Key Decision Points (2017 – 2020):

The next NPT Review Conference is scheduled to be held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York in 2020. Three preparatory meetings are to be held prior to the 2020 Review Conference.

The purpose of the first two Preparatory Committee sessions (2017 and 2018) is to consider principles, objectives and ways to promote the full implementation of the Treaty, as well as its universality, and to make recommendations thereon to the Review Conference. The third session, due to be held in 2019, is specifically mandated to produce a consensus report containing recommendations to the Review Conference (accounting for the deliberations and results of its previous sessions).

Additional Links & Resources:

[Core Document] Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (text)

NPT Review Conferences and Preparatory Committees (United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs)

Key General Assembly Resolutions:

  • A/RES/56/24, “General and complete disarmament”, 10 January 2002 
  • A/RES/61/70, “2010 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and its Preparatory Committee”, 3 January 2007
  • A/RES/66/33, “2015 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and its Preparatory Committee”, 12 January 2012
  • A/RES/70/28, “2020 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and its Preparatory Committee”, 11 December 2015

[1] Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), https://www.un.org/disarmament/wmd/nuclear/npt/