Change description : 2022-08-05 12:09:00: Added links to the working paper on principles and responsible practices for Nuclear Weapons States, and Minister Stuart’s speech at the Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference [Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office]
prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology
promote cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy
pursue negotiations in good faith on disarmament measures
This treaty is important because it contains commitments made by China, France, Russia, the UK and the US. The NPT refers to these countries as the Nuclear Weapon States (NWS). It came into force in 1970 and its core aims continue to be relevant to this day.
How the NPT works
The NPT is commonly said to have 3 sections, referred to as ‘pillars’.
Pillar I: nuclear disarmament
The Treaty obliges all States, which have signed and ratified it, to pursue negotiations in good faith on disarmament measures. It does not establish any timetable for nuclear disarmament.
Pillar II: non-proliferation
This means making sure that States that do not have nuclear weapons do not acquire them. The NPT establishes a safeguards system through the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The system ensures that Non-Nuclear Weapon States are complying with the Treaty. The 5 NWS, including the UK, have also agreed voluntary safeguards agreements to further strengthen the system.
Pillar III: peaceful uses of nuclear technology
This promotes cooperation between States to share the benefits of peaceful uses of nuclear technology, whilst making sure the technology cannot be used for weapons.
The Treaty also establishes a process to review the Treaty every 5 years, called a Review Conference or ‘RevCon’. The next RevCon is scheduled for January 2022, following delays due to COVID-19.
Review Conferences for the NPT are scheduled to take place every 5 years. The 10th NPT Review Conference was planned for March 2020, but has been postponed due to COVID-19. It is now expected to take place in 2022.
Working papers for the NPT Review Conference
The UK produced these papers to support the 10th NPT Review Conference:
Transparency and nuclear disarmament: sets out what transparency means for nuclear disarmament, why it matters, and what this Review Conference should aim for
Strategic risk reduction: the Nuclear Weapon States’ (UK, China, France, Russia and the US) set out their shared understanding of strategic risk reduction, and how to reduce the risk of nuclear conflict between nuclear powers
Published 2 November 2021
Last updated 15 August 2022
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5 August 2022
Added links to the working paper on principles and responsible practices for Nuclear Weapons States, and Minister Stuart's speech at the Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference
1 August 2022
Joint statement added, on the continued importance of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
1 February 2022
Added links to working papers for the NPT Review Conference