16. Nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament: Initiatives taken to abolish nuclear weapons since 1945

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1. Baruch plan June 1946


Baruch Plan was presented for international control of nuclear technology by Bernard Baruch (US political consultant) to UN Atomic Energy Commission in June 1946. As the US was already a nuclear power by 1946, therefore, the purpose of this proposal was to restrict the secret nuclear program of the Soviet Union.


2. Atoms for peace 8 December, 1953


President Dwight D. Eisenhower (US) presented a bold and imaginative nuclear initiative to the United Nations. Although the “Atoms for Peace” plan was immensely popular and fundamentally altered the way the world treated nuclear energy, some contemporary observers contend that the policies and capabilities it produced inadvertently fueled the global spread of nuclear arms.  Its basic purpose was to share nuclear technology with all for peaceful purposes.

3. International Atomic energy Agency 1957


It came into existence on 29 July, 1957. Its headquarter is in Vienna, Austria. The IAEA serves 168 Member States. It has 14 specialized laboratories in Austria, Monaco and Seiberdorf.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) - the nuclear watchdog of the United Nations - promotes the peaceful use of atomic energy while trying to make sure that the technology is not used for military purposes.
Three basic functions of IAEA are: 

  • Peaceful uses of nuclear Technology: the IAEA assists its Member States in using nuclear science and technology for peaceful purposes and facilitates the transfer of this technology and knowledge in a sustainable manner to Member States.


  • Nuclear safety and Security: the IAEA provides a strong and sustainable global nuclear safety and security framework, working to   protect people, society and the environment from the harmful effects of ionizing radiation.


  •  Non-proliferation: through its safeguards system, the IAEA verifies that States are honoring their international   obligations to use nuclear science and technology only for peaceful purposes.

4. Limited Test Ban Treaty/Partial 1963


It was opened for signature on 5 August, 1963. And entered into force on 10 Oct, 1963. As of now, more than 120 states are party to the LTBT. It contained preamble and five articles
The Limited Test Ban Treaty (LTBT) bans nuclear tests in the atmosphere, outer space and under water. It does not ban tests underground, but does prohibit explosions in the environment if the explosions create debris outside the territory of the responsible state. So environmental considerations were supreme.
In 1988, it was proposed that the LTBT be extended to all environments, making it a comprehensive test ban, but the United States stood in strong opposition to any amendment that made it comprehensive.

5. Non-proliferation Treaty, 1968


It was adopted on 12 June, 1968 in New Yok, USA. It came into force on March 5, 1970. Currently 190 (190+1 (North Korea)) states. Opened for signature on July 1. NPT review conference is held after five years. 9th review conference held on April 27-May 22, 2015 in UN New York. Initially was enforced for 25 years and extended in 1995 for indefinite period.
The treaty was proposed by Ireland and Finland and consists of a preamble and 11 articles that focus on non-proliferation, disarmament, and the right to peaceful use of nuclear technology. It recognized the five states as nuclear states (US, Soviet Union, China, UK, and France).
Currently four Sovereign nuclear states are not party to NPT (India, Pakistan, Israel, North Korea).


6 .Nuclear Supplier Group 1975


 It was established in 1974, in response to Indian explosion in 1974, which demonstrated that peaceful technology can be used to build nuclear weapons. It is comprised of 48 countries that have voluntarily agreed to coordinate their export controls to non-nuclear-weapon states. The NSG governs the transfers of civilian nuclear material and equipment in a way that does not add to nuclear proliferation.

7. Fissile material cut-off treaty March 1995 


Background
 UN resolution 78/57 L, which was passed unanimously in 1993, called for a “non-discriminatory, multi-lateral and internationally and effectively verifiable treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices.”
In March 1995, the CD took up a mandate presented by Canadian Ambassador Gerald Shannon. The Shannon Mandate established an ad hoc committee that was directed to negotiate an FMCT by the end of the 1995 session.
What is FMCT?
A fissile material cut-off treaty (FMCT) is a proposed international agreement that would prohibit the production of the two main components of nuclear weapons: highly-enriched uranium (HEU), and plutonium. Discussions on this subject are being held within the UN Conference on Disarmament (CD), a body of 65 member nations established as the sole multilateral negotiating forum on disarmament. The CD requires consensus for action to take place. Consequently, negotiations for an FMCT have not taken place, though preliminary discussions are ongoing.

Status of all nuclear powers


8. Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty 1996
(On 24 Sep, 1996)

It was opened for signature in September 1996. As many as 183 countries have signed it and 166 countries have ratified it. The overall accord contains a preamble, 17 treaty articles, two treaty annexes, and a protocol with two annexes detailing verification procedures.The Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) prohibits “any nuclear weapon test explosion or any other nuclear explosion” anywhere in the world.

9. Security Council’s resolution 1540


According to UNSC resolution 1540 (April 2004), States must prohibit individuals, companies or other actors from supporting non-state actors that are seeking to acquire WMD. It also requires states to enforce domestic regulation.

10. Proliferation Security Initiative 2003


The US led PSI focuses on improving International Cooperation in efforts to interdict the trafficking and transfer of WMD. As of 2012, it had 100 member.

11. ICAN 30 April, 2007 


International campaign to Abolish nuclear weapons is founded in Australia. It calls for the immediate start of negotiations on a treaty to prohibit and eliminate nuclear weapons. It was recently awarded noble prize for its invaluable services.

12. ‘’Global Zero’’

"Global Zero" is an international non-partisan group of 300 world leader dedicated to achieving the elimination of nuclear weapons. It was launched in December 2008 and asked for phased destruction of nuclear weapons till the world becomes a nuclear-free place.

13. Recent development


UN adopted nuclear weapon ban treaty on 7 July, 2017. Two-thirds of the world’s nations vote to adopt the landmark UN treaty on the Prohibition of nuclear weapons.

                                                                ------End-----













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