Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) was an agreement between countries that signed the treaty that there would be no more development or use of nuclear weapons. It also allowed for the surveillance of nuclear facilities by the IAEA also known as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This was signed by the United States, United Kingdom and Soviet Union and fifty-nine others on July 1, 1968. Other nations later signed onto this treaty. The only states that have chosen not to sign are Cuba, Israel, India, and Pakistan.
The P5 Process
Established in 2009, the P5 Process is a discussion platform for the world’s top 5 nuclear powers –the Russian Federation, the United States, China, the United Kingdom and France - the same Permanent Members of the United Nations Security Council. All of the group’s participants are party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
Originally, the P5 Process was meant to facilitate discussion on three key issues: nuclear disarmament, nuclear non-proliferation and peaceful application of nuclear power.
As of 2024, this process essentially allows the world’s largest holders of nuclear weapons to discuss mutually beneficial arrangements in the global security sphere and to defuse potential security risks.
