Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty

From the International Atomic Energy Agency:

The NPT aims to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology, to foster the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and to further the goal of disarmament. The Treaty establishes a safeguards system under the responsibility of the IAEA, which also plays a central role under the Treaty in areas of technology transfer for peaceful purposes.

The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) entered force on March 5, 1970 and currently boasts 189 signatories.  The treaty recognizes five signatories (the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France and China) as nuclear weapons states.  The treaty bans all other signatory states from developing or otherwise coming in to possession of nuclear weapons.  The NPT also calls for the five recognized nuclear powers to “[negotiate] in good faith on effective measures relating to cessation of the nuclear arms race at an early date and to nuclear disarmament”.

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