Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons

NPT · Opened: 1970 · 191 parties

The cornerstone of global nuclear non-proliferation. Divides the world into nuclear-weapon states (NWS) and non-nuclear-weapon states (NNWS), obliging each group to distinct commitments.

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NPTAbbreviation

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1970Year

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191Parties

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In ForceStatus

01 Overview

The NPT entered into force in 1970 and remains the most widely adhered-to arms control treaty in history, with 191 states party. Its three pillars are: (1) Non-proliferation - NNWS agree never to acquire nuclear weapons; (2) Disarmament - NWS (USA, Russia, UK, France, China) commit to pursue good-faith negotiations towards disarmament; (3) Peaceful use - all parties have the right to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. The treaty is reviewed every five years at Review Conferences, which have often ended without agreement. Four UN member states remain outside the NPT: India, Israel, Pakistan, and South Sudan. North Korea withdrew in 2003.

02 Key Provisions

§Article I: NWS shall not transfer nuclear weapons to anyone

§Article II: NNWS shall not acquire or develop nuclear weapons

§Article III: NNWS accept IAEA safeguards on nuclear materials

§Article IV: Inalienable right to peaceful nuclear energy

§Article VI: All parties pursue nuclear disarmament negotiations

03 Why It Matters

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Without the NPT, nuclear weapons would likely have spread to dozens of countries. Despite imperfections, it has constrained proliferation to just 9 nuclear-armed states compared to estimates of 25–30 without it.