The treaties and agreements listed below deal with many aspects of nuclear weapons and materials. For the purposes of this introduction, they are loosely grouped into four categories: nuclear test bans, non-proliferation, nuclear weapon-free zones, and counter-terrorism
Treaties that in some way ban or limit testing above a certain yield include:
Treaties that aim to limit the proliferation of nuclear weapons and materials, among other objectives, include:
Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (NWFZ) treaties aim to assure the total absence of nuclear weapons in the territories of a group of States. Countries participating in a NWFZ promise not to develop, manufacture, stockpile, acquire, possess, or control any nuclear explosive device within the zone. In addition, countries also promise not to offer assistance with the research, development, manufacture, stockpiling, acquisition, or possession of such weapons within the zone. Nuclear weapon states often undertake for instance not to deploy weapons in the zone, or to transfer weapons through them.
The 2005 International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism prohibits the unlawful possession or destructive use of nuclear or radioactive materials by non-state actors. This includes sabotage of nuclear facilities. It also contains rules relating to the investigation and prosecution of acts of nuclear terrorism.
1956 Statute of the International Atomic Energy Agency
1963 Treaty banning nuclear weapon tests in the atmosphere, in outer space and under water (the Partial Test Ban Treaty)
1967 Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America (with annexed Additional Protocols I and II) (‘Tlatelolco Treaty’)
1968 Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (the ‘Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty’) (NPT)
1974 Threshold Test Ban Treaty (TTBT)
1976 Peaceful Nuclear Explosions Treaty (PNET)
1979 Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Materials
1985 South Pacific Nuclear Weapons Free Zone Treaty (Treaty of Rarotonga)
1991 ABACC Agreement for the application of safeguards (with protocol)
1995 African Nuclear Weapons Free Zone Treaty (Treaty of Pelindaba)
1995 Southern Asia Nuclear Weapons Free Zone Treaty
1996 Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT)
2005 Amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Materials
2005 The International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism
The Structure and Content of Agreements between the Agency and States required in connection with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, INFCIRC/153 (corrected). June 1972.
Model Protocol Additional to the Agreement(s) between State(s) and the International Atomic Energy Agency for the Application of Safeguards INFCIRC/540 (Corrected)
The Physical Protection of Nuclear Material and Nuclear Facilities, INFCIRC/225/Rev.4 (Corrected)
Physical Protection: Objectives and Fundamental Principles, GC(45)/INF/14
Handbook on Nuclear Law
by C. Stoiber, A. Bear, N. Pelzer and W. Tonhauser, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), 2003.
Amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Materials, IAEA International Law Series No. 2 (2006)
Guidance and Considerations for the Implementation of INFCIRC/225/Rev.4, The Physical Protection of Nuclear Material and Nuclear Facilities (IAEA TECDOC Series No. 967 (Rev. 1)/A)
To prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology, to promote co-operation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and to further the goal of achieving nuclear disarmament.
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