The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)
Which came into force in 1970, is the only legally-binding international agreement on nuclear disarmament. It commits 183 of the world's governments to never develop nuclear weapons and the five official nuclear powers (US, Russian Federation, UK, France and China) to the total elimination of their nuclear stockpiles. The only countries that are not part of the NPT are India, Israel and Pakistan. North Korea's withdrawal from the treaty has not been accepted officially, and remains in doubt.
In 2000, all States parties agreed to a package of 13 practical steps for the systematic and progressive disarmament of the world's nuclear weapons. But these 13 Steps are in serious danger. The US and China have refused to ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty and the American government has withdrawn its support for a number of the points. However, what puts the NPT in the most danger is the fact that nuclear weapons have not been given reduced value in security policy. In fact "mini-nukes" and new designs for nuclear weapons are being developed by the US, Russia and other states. This completely violates the NPT and makes a new arms race possible.
The Conference on Disarmament (CD)
Wwas established in 1979 as the world's sole multilateral disarmament negotiating forum. It was a result of the first Special Session on Disarmament of the United Nations General Assembly held in 1978.
Unfortunately CD negotiations have not taken place since 1996, due to disagreements over four agenda items: a Fissile Material Cut Off Treaty that would stop the creation of more material for nuclear weapons, the Prevention of an Arms Race and Outer Space that would stop the militarization of space, Nuclear Disarmament generally, and Negative Security Assurances through which nuclear weapon states promise not to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear weapon states.
The states have found it impossible to agree on the next step.
The United Nations First Committee
Is a subcommittee of the UN General Assembly and deals with disarmament and international security. The First Committee comprises all 191 members of the UN and meets every September/October.
The First Committee meets every year in September/October after the September General Assembly General Debate. All 191 member states of the UN attend to exchange views on a wide range of disarmament issues, and then to negotiate and vote on up to 40 resolutions.
