Overview:
The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) was opened for signature in 1968 and entered into force in 1970. It has nearly190 Parties, giving it the largest membership of any arms control treaty in the world. The Treaty comprises legally binding nonproliferation commitments and is the basis for international cooperation on stemming the spread of nuclear weapons. It is widely regarded as the legal and political cornerstone of the nuclear nonproliferation regime and as containing three main concepts or “pillars” – nuclear nonproliferation, disarmament, and the peaceful use of nuclear energy. In Prague on April 5, 2009 President Obama said that the basic bargain at the core of the Treaty is sound: “countries with nuclear weapons will move towards disarmament; countries without nuclear weapons will not acquire them; and all countries can access peaceful nuclear energy.” The President also called on NPT parties to take steps to strengthen this vital nonproliferation instrument.
The NPT Review Process: The NPT Review Process: The Treaty allows for the Parties to gather every five years to review the operation of the Treaty. At the 1995 Review and Extension Conference, the Parties extended the Treaty indefinitely and formalized the practice of convening a Review Conference (RevCon) every five years, as well as holding Preparatory Committee (PrepCom) meetings in each of the three years before a RevCon. The Preparatory Committee (PrepCom) of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) will take place in Geneva April 22-May 3 under the Eastern Group Chairmanship of Romanian Ambassador Coronel Feruta. It is the second meeting of the cycle that will culminate in the 2015 NPT Review Conference.“ More»
Contact Us: The Special Representative of the President for Nuclear Nonproliferation and the Office of Multilateral Nuclear and Security Affairs lead U.S. efforts in support of the NPT. Questions and media inquiries should be directed to Sandra Postell at Postellsr@state.gov.
