New Microsoft Word Document1

The proliferation of nuclear weapons is a significant concern for the UN.
The Security
Council has adopted several resolutions to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and their
means of delivery. Resolution 1540 (2004) under Chapter VII of the UN Charter requires all
states to establish domestic controls to prevent the proliferation of such weapons and means
of delivery, in particular for terrorist purposes1. The Council also decided that all states would
adopt legislative measures to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons1.
In addition to Resolution 1540, there are several other treaties and agreements that aim to
prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons. These include the Treaty on the Non-
Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), which was signed in 1968 and has been ratified by
191 states2. The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) was signed in 1996 but
has yet to enter into force2. The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW)
includes a comprehensive set of prohibitions on participating in any nuclear weapon
activities. These include undertakings not to develop, test, produce, acquire, possess,
stockpile, use or threaten to use nuclear weapons. The Treaty also prohibits the deployment
of nuclear weapons on national territory and the provision of assistance to any State in the
conduct of prohibited activities3. States parties will be obliged to prevent and suppress any
activity prohibited under the TPNW undertaken by persons or on territory under its
jurisdiction or control. The Treaty also obliges States parties to provide adequate assistance to
individuals affected by the use or testing of nuclear weapons, as well as to take necessary and
appropriate measure of environmental remediation in areas under its jurisdiction or control
contaminated as a result of activities related to the testing or use of nuclear weapons 3.
 1999 NATO Strategic Concept confirms commitment to deploying

nuclear weapons in Europe to maintain the “minimum level sufficient
to preserve peace and stability.”
 In 2022, NATO reaffirmed that the fundamental purpose of NATO
nuclear forces is deterrence, and that as long as nuclear weapons
exist, NATO will remain a nuclear alliance.
 Turkey supports the Australia-led Humanitarian Initiative, a group
of non-nuclear weapon states who have promoted
nuclear disarmament by focusing on the severe humanitarian
consequences of nuclear war.
 Turkey is a member of the Non-Proliferation and Disarmament
Initiative (NPDI), a group of non-nuclear weapon states dedicated to
disarmament, nonproliferation, and peaceful nuclear activities.
 With the attempted coup in Turkey in July 2016, as well as other
concerns about regional instability and the threat posed by the
Islamic State, there is ongoing debate in the policy community about
whether the United States should continue to station tactical nuclear
weapons in Turkey.
1. A recent editorial in Nature discusses the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear
Weapons (TPNW) and the role of scientists in helping it succeed. The article also
highlights the need for a new global network of researchers with knowledge on
different aspects of nuclear science and technology1.
2. A chapter in SpringerLink titled “The Problem of Nuclear Proliferation” provides an
overview of the challenges faced by non-proliferation efforts and the technologies that
are prone to facilitating nuclear weapons proliferation2.
3. SIPRI has published a report titled “New Technologies and Nuclear Disarmament”
which analyses the prospects for nuclear disarmament in light of recent military-
technological advances, focusing on precision-strike weapons and missile defences3.
4. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has published a document
titled “Humanitarian Impacts and Risks of Use of Nuclear Weapons” which provides
evidence of the humanitarian impacts of nuclear weapons. It is essential to assess the
legality of their use under international humanitarian law (IHL) and it gives a fact-
based entry point for discussions about nuclear disarmament and nuclear non-
proliferation, more broadly4.
5. A Council on Foreign Relations article titled “The World is in for a Dangerous
Nuclear Decade” discusses the progress (or lack thereof) on nuclear disarmament,
nuclear policy of nuclear-weapon states, and nuclear sharing5.

New Microsoft Word Document1

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

New Microsoft Word Document1

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

New Microsoft Word Document1

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

The proliferation of nuclear weapons is a significant concern for the UN.

 1999 NATO Strategic Concept confirms commitment to deploying

You might also like