An overview of nuclear-weapon-free zones

The perilous prospect of a world with many countries possessing nuclear weapons has led some states to seek avenues in addition to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) that offer the possibility of restraining the proliferation of nuclear weapons. The creation of nuclear-weapon-free zones (NWFZ) is one possible path, since such zones provide a means whereby non-nuclear-weapon states could, by their own initiative and effort, ensure the total absence of nuclear weapons from their territories. In doing so, these nations seek simultaneously to obtain assurances from the nuclear-weapon powers not to use, or threaten to use, nuclear weapons against member countries of the zone. In the last 25 years, several proposals have been advanced concerning various regions of the world. Most of them consisted of general concepts rather than concrete steps, but some more formal plans and proposals have been voiced, notably in the UN General Assembly. However, with the exception of the one concerning Latin America, none of these proposals has made significant progress over the last 25 years. One may distinguish between proposals that seem to have been abandoned: as in the case of Central Europe and the Balkans; proposals that are still the object of discussion among states in the region, such as those regarding the South Pacific and the Nordic countries; and those to which the General Assembly has devoted particular attention and which are at present under consideration: they concern Africa, the Indian Ocean (zone of peace), South Asia, and the Middle East