The world faces a critical juncture in reinforcing the nuclear non-proliferation regime. This is a moment to set aside differences and pursue dialogue towards a peaceful, nuclear-weapon-free world.
The NPT, signed in 1968 and entered into force in 1970, now has 191 member states, including the five recognised nuclear-weapon states, which are also permanent members of the UN Security Council, namely the United Kingdom, France, the United States, Russia, and China (the P5).
It is one of the most comprehensive international treaties and is regarded as a cornerstone of the global security architecture, built on three main pillars: preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons, promoting nuclear disarmament, and ensuring the right to peaceful use of nuclear energy.
Since the NPT entered into force, review conferences have been held every five years to assess implementation, explore measures to enhance universality, and promote the fulfilment of commitments among states parties.
This conference takes place amid complex international political and security developments, posing significant challenges to disarmament and non-proliferation mechanisms.
Concerns over global security are among the factors driving nuclear proliferation, as major powers often regard such weapons as the ultimate guarantee of national security.
As the international security environment becomes increasingly unstable, prospects for nuclear arms reductions by the P5 remain highly limited.
On the eve of the conference, Russia expressed scepticism about the feasibility of advancing reductions in nuclear stockpiles with a view to their complete elimination.
Moscow warned that plans by the Western nuclear triad — the US, the UK, and France — to expand their arsenals, develop new infrastructure for nuclear purposes, including on the territory of non-nuclear-weapon allies, and draw those allies into nuclear-military planning, are increasingly undermining global nuclear arms reduction efforts.
In response, the G7 countries (the UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the US) warned of the dangers posed by the nuclear build-up of Russia and China.
Meanwhile, Russia emphasised that it is a responsible nuclear power, while China maintained that it keeps its nuclear capabilities at the minimum level necessary for national security and will never engage in a nuclear arms race.
The divergence in positions between nuclear-weapon states and non-nuclear-weapon states also remains a barrier to achieving global consensus on upholding and strengthening the treaty.
Ahead of the conference, a group of 12 non-nuclear-weapon states (Japan, Australia, Canada, Chile, Germany, Mexico, the Netherlands, Nigeria, the Philippines, Poland, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates) called for closer cooperation and urgent efforts to strengthen arms control, while warning that rising security risks threaten to reverse the progress achieved over recent decades.
In a joint statement, they urged NPT parties to adopt a forward-looking approach and engage in constructive dialogue.
Deep divisions have prevented the two most recent NPT review conferences from adopting a final document. Amid escalating geopolitical tensions in many regions, this conference is expected to face considerable difficulty in reaching international consensus on the treaty’s implementation and future commitments.
Nevertheless, advancing substantive disarmament measures, enhancing transparency, building confidence, and reducing nuclear risks remain necessary and urgent tasks, and a shared responsibility of the international community in pursuit of a more peaceful world.
