Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Timeline
Each nuclear-weapon State Party to the Treaty undertakes not to transfer to any recipient whatsoever nuclear weapons...
Each non-nuclear-weapon State Party to the Treaty undertakes...not to manufacture or otherwise acquire nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices
Articles I and II, Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
1957
29 July 1957 The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Statute enters into force.1959
20 November 1959 - The UN General Assembly adopts Ireland's proposal (resolution 1380 XIV) that the Disarmament Committee consider an international agreement in which nuclear powers would not disseminate nuclear weapons to non-nuclear weapons states, and non-nuclear weapons states would not manufacture such weapons.1961
The first IAEA safeguards system is established. 4 December 1961 The UN General Assembly adopts resolution 1665 (XVI), calling upon the nuclear-weapon states to try to negotiate an international agreement on non-dissemination of nuclear weapons and upon all nations to cooperate to achieve this end.1965
1965 -- August 17
The United States proposes a draft nuclear non-proliferation treaty to the UN Committee on Disarmament. Under the draft, the transfer of nuclear weapons from nuclear weapons states (NWS) to non-nuclear weapons states (NNWS) would be prohibited. The NNWS would consent to IAEA safeguards to their civilian nuclear activities.
24 September 1965
The Soviet Union submits a draft treaty to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons.
19 November 1965
The UN General Assembly adopts resolution 2028 (XX), which contains five principles to provide the groundwork for the negotiation of a non-proliferation treaty.
1967
1967: AUGUST 24
The United States and the USSR submit separate but identical draft non-proliferation treaties for extensive consideration in the United Nations.
19 December 1967
The General Assembly adopts resolution 2346A to request the Committee on Disarmament to present a full report on the negotiations on a non-proliferation treaty on or before March 15, 1968.
1968
1968: JANUARY 1
The United States and the USSR jointy submit a draft treaty on nuclear non-proliferation to the international Disarmament Conference (ENDC).
January-March 1968
The Committee on Disarmament considers revisions of the US and USSR draft treaties and submits a revision to the General Assembly
12 June 1968
After some revision, the General Assembly commends the draft text of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons in resolution 2373.
19 June 1968
The United Nations Security Council adopts resolution 255 (1968) to provide security assurances for non-nuclear weapons states.
1968: JULY 1 NUCLEAR NON-PROLIFERATION TREATY (NPT)
The United States, United Kingdom, Soviet Union and 59 other nations sign the NPT.
1969
November 1969
The United States ratifies the NPT.
1970
1970: MARCH 5 NPT BROUGHT INTO FORCE
The United States and the Soviet Union deposit their instruments of ratification, bringing the NPT into force.
1975
1975: MAY 5-30
The first NPT Review Conference mandated by the Treaty is held in Geneva. The NPT has 91 parties.
Click here to read more about the debate at the first NPT Review Conference.
1980
1980: AUGUST 11 - SEPTEMBER 7
The second NPT Review Conference is held in Geneva. The NPT has 112 parties.
Click here to read more about the debate at the second NPT Review Conference.
1985
1985: AUGUST 27 - SEPTEMBER 21 THIRD NPT REVIEW CONFERENCE
The third NPT Review Conference is held in Geneva. The NPT has 131 parties.
1985: December 12
The Democratic People's Republic of Kora (North Korea) formally joins the NPT and agrees to IAEA inspections and safeguards.
1990
AUGUST 20 - SEPTEMBER 14 FOURTH NPT REVIEW CONFERENCE IN GENEVA
The fourth NPT Review Conference is held in Geneva. The NPT has 140 parties.
1992
1992 -- March 9
China joins to the NPT as the fourth declared nuclear weapon state.
1992 -- August 3
France accedes to the NPT as the last of the five declared nuclear weapon states.
1993
1993 -- March 10-12
On March 10, the DPRK (North Korea) refuses to accept IAEA inspections and, on March 12, withdraws from the NPT.
1995
17 April–12 May 1995
The Review and Extension Conference of the Parties to the NPT convenes. The NPT is extended indefinitely.
1998
18 September 1998 Brazil accedes to the NPT, thus increasing the number of States parties to 187.2000
24 April–19 May 2000 The Review Conference of the States Parties to the NPT convenes in New York.- "Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty [NPT] Chronology." Federation of American Scientists. 25 Apr 2000. 1 Mar 2006. <http://www.fas.org/nuke/control/npt/chron.htm>
