Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)

1 July 1968 (in force 1970) · London, Moscow and Washington

Cold War & arms control

Background

It recognizes five nuclear-weapon states (the USA, Russia, UK, France and China, which had tested before 1967). Other members promise not to build nuclear weapons; the five promise to work toward disarmament; all can use peaceful nuclear energy under IAEA safeguards. It was extended indefinitely in 1995. Pakistan rejects it as discriminatory.

Signed by

Open to all states; nearly every country has joined

Why it matters

Aims to stop the spread of nuclear weapons. Pakistan, India and Israel never joined; North Korea announced its withdrawal in 2003.