Keeping the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Alive

The system of nonproliferation that was on the brink of collapse can now be saved. The Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons that has been going on for the past month has come to a close and has left us with something to be hopeful about.

For the first time in a decade, all countries party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty unanimously adopted the final document and pledged their commitment to realizing “a world without nuclear weapons.”

Although a specific plan to abolish nuclear arms was not given, this is a large step in the right direction considering that the previous review conference ended without the adoption of a single agreement. This recent agreement can be expected to be help in the rebuilding of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty system.

The final document consists of 64 points that can be roughly divided into nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, and the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

For instance, under nuclear disarmament, nuclear states are to report on their progress to the preparatory committee in 2014. The next step is to be decided during the next review conference to be held in 2015.

Initially, the draft included a roadmap to the abolition of nuclear arms and plans to hold a verification conference. However, the inclusion of these plans was dropped after nuclear states strongly emphasized that “nuclear deterrence is still necessary.”*

Some progress is visible in the final document. However, because of certain objections and because there is no clear objective timeline, it is hard to deny that this document remains vague.

Resistance to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty persists, even while Iran and North Korea continue to develop nuclear weapons and the threat of nuclear terrorism grows. However, if there is another mistake, the entire Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty system will collapse. The unanimous adoption of the final document is likely the result of compromise arising from a common awareness of danger.

The Israeli nuclear weapons issue was a primary focus. With Israel in mind, though not directly named, attendees of the recent meeting decided to open a conference in 2012 to establish a Middle Eastern nuclear-free zone.

It seems that this is a reconfirmation of previous plans raised 10 years ago regarding the establishment of a nuclear-free zone in the Middle East and the inclusion of Israel in the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

However, given that the United States is strongly opposed to Arab states focusing only on Israel, the future is opaque.

This conference holds the key to stability in the Middle East, and as such this opportunity cannot be missed. As long as the Israeli nuclear problem is not solved, the Iranian nuclear problem will not be solved either. It is hoped that there will be substantial dialogue towards the implementation of this goal.

The final document also called for the ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty. How the final document will be transferred into action is most important. We seek from every country the determination and execution of the final document, so as not to backtrack from achieving a “world without nuclear weapons.”

*Editor’s Note: This quotation, accurately translated, could not be verified.