Multilateral - Nuclear

(Note: Except where noted, dates indicate when treaties were opened for signature.)

1963 Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapon Tests in the Atmosphere, in Outer Space and Under Water (Partial Test Ban Treaty--PTBT): The Partial Test Ban Treaty prohibits nuclear testing in outer space, in the atmosphere, and underwater. See the U.S. Department of State Fact Sheet and CNS, Inventory of International Nonproliferation Organizations and Regimes.

1967 Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies (Outer Space Treaty): The Outer Space Treaty prohibits the placement of nuclear weapons or WMD in orbit around the earth. The Outer Space Treaty is usually thought of as a nuclear arms limitation treaty. See the U.S. Department of State Fact Sheet and CNS, Inventory of International Nonproliferation Organizations and Regimes.

1968 Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT): Also known as the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, the NPT controls the spread of nuclear weapons. See the UN Department for Disarmament Affairs Fact Sheet; CNS, Inventory of International Nonproliferation Organizations and Regimes; and IAEA, The IAEA and the NPT In Focus.

1971 Treaty on the Prohibition of the Emplacement of Nuclear Weapons and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction on the Seabed and Ocean Floor and in the Subsoil Thereof (Seabed Treaty): The Seabed Treaty bans placement of nuclear weapons or WMD beyond a 12-mile coastal zone. The Seabed Treaty is usually thought of as a nuclear arms limitation treaty. See the U.S. Department of State Fact Sheet and CNS, Inventory of International Nonproliferation Organizations and Regimes.

1980 (date of adoption) Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material: The Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material provides for certain levels of physical protection during international transport of nuclear material. It also establishes a general framework for cooperation among states in the protection, recovery, and return of stolen nuclear material. See U.S. State Department Fact Sheet and CNS, Inventory of International Nonproliferation Organizations and Regimes.

1996 Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT): The CTBT bans nuclear weapons test explosions, but has not yet entered into force. See WMD 411, Case Study: The CTBT, the CTBTO website; the UN Fact Sheet; and CNS, Inventory of International Nonproliferation Organizations and Regimes.

Multilateral - Regional Nuclear Treaties

1959 The Antarctic Treaty: The Antarctic Treaty prohibits the conducting of nuclear explosions, stationing or testing of any type of weapon, radioactive waste disposal, military maneuvers, and the establishment of military bases on Antarctica. See National Science Foundation, The Antarctic Treaty and CNS, Inventory of International Nonproliferation Organizations and Regimes.

1967 Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean (Treaty of Tlatelolco): The Treaty of Tlatelolco bans the manufacture, acquisition, testing, deployment, or use of nuclear weapons in Latin America. See U.S. Department of State Fact Sheet and CNS, Inventory of International Nonproliferation Organizations and Regimes.

1985 South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone (Treaty of Rarotonga): The Treaty of Rarotonga prohibits the testing, manufacture, stationing of nuclear explosive devices, and the dumping of nuclear waste, within the zone. See the Federation of American Scientists, Treaty of Rarotonga and CNS, Inventory of International Nonproliferation Organizations and Regimes.

1995 Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (Treaty of Bangkok): The Bangkok Treaty prohibits the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons in Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. See the Federation of American Scientists, Bangkok Treaty and CNS, Inventory of International Nonproliferation Organizations and Regimes.

1996 African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (Pelindaba Treaty): Signatories to the Treaty of Pelindaba pledge not to conduct research on, develop, test, or stockpile nuclear explosive devices. Signatories pledge not to station nuclear devices on their territories and to protect existing nuclear materials, facilities, and equipment. The Pelindaba has not yet entered into force. See South Africa Department of Foreign Affairs, Treaty of Pelindaba and CNS, Inventory of International Nonproliferation Organizations and Regimes.

2006 Central Asia Nuclear Weapon Free Zone
(CANWFZ): Five states in central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan) signed the Central Asian Nuclear Weapons Free Zone (CANWFZ) treaty on September 8, 2006. All signatories pledge not to develop, manufacture, stockpile, or provide storage for nuclear weapons within their borders.  See CNS, Inventory of International Nonproliferation Organizations and Regimes.

Multilateral - Chemical and Biological

Chemical weapon inspectors in the field.

1925 Protocol for the Prohibition of the Use in War of Asphyxiating, Poisonous or Other Gases, and of Bacteriological Methods of Warfare (Geneva Protocol): The Geneva Protocol prohibits the use in war of asphyxiating, poisonous or other gases, and of bacteriological methods of warfare. See the U.S. Department of State Fact Sheet and CNS, Inventory of International Nonproliferation Organizations and Regimes.

1972 Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and On Their Destruction (BTWC): The BTWC prohibits the development, production, transfer, and stockpiling of biological weapons. See UN Department for Disarmament Affairs Fact Sheet and CNS, Inventory of International Nonproliferation Organizations and Regimes.

Chemical weapon inspectors in the field.

1993 Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction (CWC): The CWC prohibits the development, production, stockpiling, transfer, and use of chemical weapons. See the UN Department of Disarmament Affairs Fact Sheet; the OPCW site; and CNS, Inventory of International Nonproliferation Organizations and Regimes.

Multilateral - Export Control

(Note: Dates indicate when organizations were established.)

1971 NPT Exporters Committee: Members of the NPT Exporters Committee (also called the Zangger Committee) draft export control provisions for the NPT. See the U.S. Department of State Fact Sheet and CNS, Inventory of International Nonproliferation Organizations and Regimes.

1975 Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG): Members of the NSG seek to control the export of nuclear materials, equipment, and technology. See the U.S. Department of State Fact Sheet and CNS, Inventory of International Nonproliferation Organizations and Regimes.

1985 Australia Group (AG): The Australia Group is an informal group of countries that seek to prevent the spread of chemical and biological weapons technology and material. See the U.S. Department of State Fact Sheet; the AG website; and CNS, Inventory of International Nonproliferation Organizations and Regimes.

1987 Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR): The MTCR aims to control the proliferation of missiles, space launch vehicles, and other rocket systems capable of delivering WMD. See the Arms Control Association Fact Sheet and CNS, Inventory of International Nonproliferation Organizations and Regimes.

1996 The Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls for Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies (Successor to COCOM): The Wassenaar Arrangement promotes the exchange of information on exports of dual-use goods and technologies. See the U.S. Department of State Fact Sheet and CNS, Inventory of International Nonproliferation Organizations and Regimes.

2002 International Code of Conduct Against Ballistic Missile Proliferation:  This Code is meant to supplement the MTCR but its membership is not limited.  The Code further addresses the threat of ballistic missile proliferation, promotes transparency, confidence-building measures, and "maximum possible restraint" in missile and space launch vehicle development programs.  See the Code and an Arms Control Association assessment and CNS, Inventory of International Nonproliferation Organizations and Regimes.

2003 Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI): The PSI is a voluntary international arrangement between states that seek to strengthen existing export control laws by interdicting suspected transfers and shipments of WMD-related materials. See the U.S. Department of State Fact Sheet and CNS, Inventory of International Nonproliferation Organizations and Regimes.

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Multilateral Agreements under Discussion

Terrorism

Draft Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism: This draft convention attempts to create a comprehensive set of international standards to deal with terrorism.  This convention would obligate parties to cooperate in the prevention and punishment of acts of terrorism.  Points of debate includes issues such as the legal definition of terrorism.  See CNS, Inventory of Nonproliferation Organizations and Regimes.

Draft International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism: This convention is designed to address the specific threat of terrorist uses of nuclear and radioactive materials.  Parties to the convention would be obligated to cooperate in the prevention of nuclear terrorism by adopting measures to protect nuclear and radioactive materials and devices, as well as nuclear installations. The UN General Assembly adopted the convention on April 13, 2005; it was opened for signature on September 14, 2005. It will enter into force 30 days after the 22nd state ratification. See CNS, Inventory of Nonproliferation Organizations and Regimes.