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The Nuclear Treaty: 1995 Review Conference
In 1995, twenty-five years after the NPT entered into force, the 188 State Parties to the Treaty met to decide whether or not to continue the Treaty indefinitely, or extend it for a specified time. The 1995 Review Conference decided to make the Treaty permanent by extending it indefinitely, and agreed to three decisions and one resolution:
Decision 1:
To Strengthen the Treaty Review Process (PDF version, 11.2 KB) *
State Parties agreed to hold Review Conferences every five years per Article VIII. They also agreed to set up work plans by holding annual Preparatory Commission (PrepCom) meetings in each of the four years before a Review Conference.
PrepComs are forums for considering principles and objectives, for promoting fuller implementation of the Treaty and its universality, and for making recommendations to the Review Conference.
State Parties agreed that Review Conferences should look forward to identify areas and means through which to seek further progress, to strengthen Treaty implementation, and to achieve universality in the future.
Decision 2:
To Set Principles and Objectives for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament. (PDF version, 24.4 KB) *
Universal adherence to the NPT
Urged States not yet party to sign the NPT at the earliest date, particularly those that operate unsafeguarded nuclear facilities.
Non-proliferation
Reinforced the importance of implementing the Treaty in all ways that prevent proliferation of nuclear weapons and other nuclear explosive devices, without hampering the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
Nuclear Disarmament
Building on the trust between States that has prevailed since the end of the cold war, nuclear-weapon States reaffirmed their commitment, stated in Article 6, to negotiate effective nuclear disarmament measures in good faith.
Nuclear-weapon-free zones
Developing nuclear-weapon-free zones, especially in regions of tension such as the Middle East, and establishing zones free of all weapons of mass destruction, should be encouraged as a priority, taking into account specific characteristics of each region.
Security Assurances
Further steps should be considered to reassure non-nuclear-weapon States that they would not face the use or threat of nuclear weapons. This could be through a legally binding international agreement.
Safeguards
All States that have not yet brought in comprehensive safeguard agreements required by Article III should do so without delay.
Peaceful uses of nuclear energy
It is particularly important to ensure that all parties to the Treaty may exercise their inalienable rights to develop peaceful research, production and uses of nuclear energy without discrimination, provided they conform with Articles I, II and III.
Decision 3:
To Extend the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (PDF version, 10.3 KB) *
The NPT should stay in force indefinitely, since a majority of the State Parties support the Treaty’s indefinite extension.
Resolution on the Middle East (PDF version, 12.0 KB) *
State Parties called on all Middle East states to work toward a zone free of weapons of mass destruction, nuclear, chemical and biological, and their delivery systems.
State Parties called on all Middle East states that have not yet done so, to accede to the Treaty without exception as soon as possible and to place their nuclear facilities under full IAEA safeguards.
For more info: links to official documents from the Review Conference
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