Objectives and Purposes of NWFZs

The 1999 UN Disarmament Commission report on the establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones spelled out the objectives and purposes of NWFZs which are grouped into two general categories:

1. To enhance the security of member states within the zone.
2. To contribute to the strengthening of the international nuclear nonproliferation regime, and the total elimination of nuclear weapons. The establishment of a NWFZ also aims at general and complete disarmament under strict and effective international control.

Enhancing Security of NWFZ Member States

In order to enhance the security of member states within the zone, NWFZ treaties include provisions such as prohibitions against deploying and testing nuclear weapons within a NWFZ. In addition, NWFZ treaties contribute to confidence building among the countries of a region and to regional cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear technology. Perhaps most importantly, states parties to NWFZ treaties are often eligible to receive legally binding security assurances from the five NPT nuclear-weapon states (NWS) (United States, Russia, United Kingdom, France, and China). By signing and ratifying the relevant protocols to the treaties, NWS pledge to respect the status of NWFZs and not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against states parties to NWFZ treaties. Furthermore, NWFZs also can promote cooperation in environmental protection by prohibiting the dumping of radioactive wastes in the oceans, and, as in the case of the African NWFZ, in the territory of members of the zone.

Contributing to International Nuclear Nonproliferation and Disarmament

NWFZ treaties are intended to support the provisions of the NPT by strengthening the nuclear nonproliferation obligations of non-nuclear-weapon states (NNWS) to the NPT. The establishment of a NWFZ also aims to quicken general and complete disarmament under strict and effective international control.   While the NPT takes a global approach to the goal of nuclear disarmament, NWFZ treaties take a regional approach. By joining a NWFZ, member states generally demonstrate an even higher level of commitment to disarmament and nonproliferation.

This material is produced independently for NTI by the Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of and has not been independently verified by NTI or its directors, officers, employees, agents.
Copyright © 2005 by MIIS.