Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
The United Nations will gather member states from nearly every country to review the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). In effect since 1970, the NPT aims to limit the spread of nuclear arms while promoting disarmament and peaceful use of nuclear energy. The treaty has been ratified by 191 states, making it one of the most widely supported agreements in international security history.
While the NPT has contributed to preventing the use of nuclear weapons since 1945, it now faces significant challenges. Most Cold War-era agreements, including the 2010 US-Russia New START pact, have expired or been discontinued, leaving no legally binding limits on the main nuclear arsenals. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has warned this creates a situation of uncharted risk.
Recent reviews of the treaty in 2015 and 2022 ended without consensus, reflecting deep divisions over obligations and priorities. The current review conference, scheduled from 27 April to 22 May, aims to evaluate implementation of the treaty and seek progress on disarmament and cooperation amid ongoing security risks and concerning nuclear rhetoric.
Izumi Nakamitsu, UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, has warned about the normalization of nuclear threat rhetoric and the increased risk of accidental use as more states acquire nuclear arms. She described the review conference as an opportunity for states to identify common ground, emphasizing the need for active diplomatic leadership to achieve meaningful outcomes.