THE NUCLEAR NON-PROLIFERATION TREATY (NPT)

Introduction to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)

Background
The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), which entered into force on 5 March 1970, is the central instrument in which Canada's nuclear disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation policy is rooted. The NPT is the only international treaty that politically and legally committed the five nuclear-weapon States (NWS) - the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France and China - to nuclear disarmament, and is the only global treaty that prohibits the proliferation of nuclear weapons. The NPT is one of the most broadly supported treaties in history, and has been ratified by 188 countries. Only Israel, India and Pakistan have yet to adhere to the Treaty. Regrettably, on January 10, 2003, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) became the first country to invoke its right under Article X to withdraw from the NPT. Every five years, the 189 governments that have ratified the treaty meet in the realm of a Review Conference to assess and improve the implementation of the treaty.

Strengthening the authority of the NPT, assuring its ongoing integrity and viability, and endorsing full compliance with the obligation of the Treaty, are fundamental aspects of Canada's commitment to non-proliferation and disarmament.

The three pillars
The NPT's three main pillars are non-proliferation, disarmament and peaceful uses. Canada regards them all as equally important, inseparable and mutually reinforcing.

First Pillar: Non-Proliferation
Non-nuclear-weapon States (NNWS) undertake not to receive the transfer of, manufacture or otherwise acquire nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices.

• Article 1 obliges the five NWS not to transfer nuclear weapons or explosive devices to the NNWS.
• Article 2 obliges the NNWS not to receive, manufacture or otherwise acquire nuclear weapons. This obligation by the NNWS party to the Treaty reflects a national decision that their national security and regional and global standing can best be served by not acquiring a nuclear arsenal.
• Article 7 recognizes the right of any group of states to conclude regional treaties to assure the total absence of nuclear weapons in their respective territories.

Second Pillar: Disarmament
States party to the Treaty commit to general and complete nuclear disarmament

• Article 6 obligates all parties to pursue good-faith negotiations on effective measures relating to ending the nuclear arms race at an early date, to nuclear disarmament, and to achieving a treaty on general and complete disarmament under strict and effective international control. This is the only legally binding obligation on the NWS to reduce and ultimately eliminate their nuclear weapons
• At the 2000 NPT Review Conference, States party to the Treaty agreed on 13 "practical steps" to meet their commitments under Article 6.

Third Pillar: Peaceful uses
All parties to the Treaty undertake to facilitate the fullest possible exchange of equipment, materials and scientific and technological information for the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and to cooperate with other States or international organizations to promote applications of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

• Article 3 (1) requires NNWS parties to accept International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards as a necessary condition for peaceful nuclear cooperation. Safeguards are a set of activities that the IAEA uses to verify that a State is honouring its commitment not to use nuclear programmes for nuclear weapons purposes. The IAEA safeguard's system "is based on an assessment of the correctness and completeness of the State's declarations [to the Agency] concerning nuclear material and nuclear-related activities." The NPT encourages international cooperation in the uses of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, from medical diagnostics and treatments to production of power.
• Article 3 (2) obliges all States party to the Treaty not to transfer nuclear items unless the transfer is subject to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards.
• Article 4 allows parties to engage in peaceful nuclear programs in a manner consistent with Articles 1 and 2. Also under Article 4, parties are expected to assist the nuclear programs of other parties, with special attention to the needs of developing countries.

Review Mechanism

• Article 8 of the Treaty provides for conferences of parties to the Treaty to be held every five years to review the operation of the Treaty. Review Conferences are preceded by three Preparatory Committee (PrepCom) meetings to consider principles, objectives and ways in order to promote the full implementation of the Treaty, as well as its universality, and to make both procedural and substantive recommendations to the Review Conference.