Disarmament Treaties Timeline
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First Session of the UN General Assembly
When:
24 January 1946
Who:
The UN General Assembly
What:
The General Assembly adopted its first resolution, which sought ways to eliminate atomic weapons from national armaments through the establishment of a commission to deal with the potential problems raised by the discovery of atomic energy.
IAEA Logo
When:
29 July 1957
Who:
81 Member States
What:
The Statute governing the activities of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) entered into force. The Agency was given a broad mandate aimed at ensuring safe, secure and peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology.
View of Antarctica from Space
When:
1 December 1959
Who:
Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Chile, the French Republic, Japan, New Zealand,
Norway, the Union of South Africa, the former USSR, the UK, the USA
What:
The Antarctic Treaty was opened for signature. It demilitarizes the continent and determines that Antarctica shall be used for peaceful purposes only. Among other provisions, it bans the testing of any kind of weapons and prohibits nuclear explosions and the disposal of radioactive waste material. The Treaty provides each party with the right to full on-site and aerial inspection of all Antarctic installations in order to verify these provisions.
Nuclear Test at Bikini Island
When:
5 August 1963
Who:
125 States Parties
What:
The Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapon Tests in the Atmosphere, in Outer Space and Under Water (Partial Test Ban Treaty) was opened for signature. Eventually ratified by 125 states, the Treaty was significant in curbing the dangerous effects of atmospheric testing on human health, animals and the environment.
View of the Moon from Space
When:
27 January 1967
Who:
105 States Parties
What:
The Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies (Outer Space Treaty), was opened for signature and signed by the former USSR, the United States and the United Kingdom. Forming the basis of all law with regards to space, the Treaty is notable for banning the weaponization of space, in particular the placement of weapons in orbit or on the moon. Since originally entering into force more than 100 States have ratified the Treaty.
States that have Adopted the Treaty
When:
14 February 1967
Who:
All of Latin America and the Caribbean
What:
The Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean (Treaty of Tlatelolco) was opened for signature, covering Latin America and the Caribbean. It was the first nuclear-weapon-free zone and bans the manufacture, storage, or testing of nuclear weapons and the devices for launching them.
Participation on the Treaty
When:
5 March 1970
Who:
All UN Member States except India, Israel, and Pakistan. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea announced its withdrawal from the Treaty in 2003 and its legal status under the Treaty is uncertain.
What:
The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) enters into force and commits nuclear and non-nuclear weapon States to nuclear non-proliferation and nuclear disarmament. They are bound to cooperate and share in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
The Seabed
When:
11 February 1971
Who:
87 States Parties
What:
The Treaty on the Prohibition of the Emplacement of Nuclear Weapons and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction on the Sea-Bed and the Ocean Floor and in the Subsoil Thereof (Sea-Bed Treaty) was opened for signature. It bans the emplacement of nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction on the ocean floor and its subsoil. Amid fears over a potential arms race on the seabed, it seeks to ensure nuclear weapons do not encroach on a hereto unaffected environment and to secure the ocean floor's vast natural resources.
The E120 Biological Bomblet
When:
10 April 1972
Who:
163 States Parties
What:
The Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction (Biological Weapons Convention) was opened for signature. It bans the production, possession and use of biological weapons. It includes all microbial and other biological agents or toxins and their means of delivery.
A Ballistic Missile Engine
When:
26 May 1972
Who:
The USA and the former USSR
What:
The United States and the former USSR signed the first treaty to emerge from the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT I). At the same time the agreed the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty. Both aimed to stabilize the status quo between the two parties through the limitation of strategic offensive arms and anti-ballistic missile systems.
Parties to the Talks
When:
18 June 1979
Who:
The USA and the former USSR
What:
The second round of bilateral Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) resulted in a second signed treaty, SALT II, which set further limits of strategic offensive arms between the former USSR and the United States.
A Soldier Holding a Booby-Trap
When:
10 April 1981
Who:
114 States Parties
What:
The Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons was opened for signature. It is an umbrella agreement with subsequent protocols that puts prohibitions or restrictions on the use of certain defined conventional weapons which may be deemed to be excessively injurious or to have indiscriminate effects. It includes weapons that explode into fragments undetectable by X-ray within the human body, limits the use of certain types of mines and booby-traps, and bans incendiary weapons designed to set fire to targets.
Nuclear Waste Casks
When:
6 August 1985
Who:
The 13 Nations of the South Pacific: Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu
What:
The South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty (Treaty of Rarotonga) was signed, prohibiting the testing, manufacture, and stationing of nuclear explosive devices, and the dumping of nuclear waste within the zone.
Nuclear Bombs
When:
8 December 1987
Who:
The USA and the former USSR
What:
The Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty was signed, eliminating the entire category of intermediate and shorter-range nuclear weapons of the former USSR and the US.
Conventional Weapon
When:
19 November 1990
Who:
NATO Members and Warsaw Treaty States
What:
The Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe was opened for signature. It curtails conventional weapons systems in Europe from the Atlantic Ocean to the Ural Mountains. In order to implement the Treaty, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) was established in Vienna, Austria in December 1994.
Nuclear Weapon
When:
31 July 1991
Who:
The USA and the former USSR
What:
The Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START I) was signed, reducing strategic nuclear weapons to 6,000 for the former USSR and the US.
Conventional Arms Participation Graph
When:
6 December 1991
Who:
Requested of All Member States
What:
The United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution 46/36, establishing the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms. This registry reinforces the concept of arms transparency as a confidence-building measure by including public data on international arms transfers in seven categories of major conventional arms: battle tanks, armored combat vehicles, large-calibre artillery systems, combat aircraft, attack helicopters, warships, and missiles and missile-launchers. It also includes information on military holdings, procurement through national production and relevant policies.
States of the Former USSR
When:
23 May 1992
Who:
The Russian Federation, the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan, and Ukraine
What:
The Lisbon Protocol to the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START I) was signed, by which the Russian Federation, the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan, and Ukraine, as successor States to the USSR, assumed the obligations of the former USSR under START I. Belarus, Kazakhstan and Ukraine adhered to the NPT as non-nuclear weapon States parties.
Image of A Mushroom Cloud
When:
3 January 1993
Who:
The Russian Federation and the USA
What:
The Treaty between the United States of America and the Russian Federation on Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms (START II) was signed, limiting strategic nuclear weapons to 3,500 for the Russian Federation and the United States.
OPCW Logo
When:
13 January 1993
Who:
188 States Parties
What:
The Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction (Chemical Weapons Convention) was opened for signature. It prohibits chemical warfare and provides for destruction of an entire category of weapons of mass destruction by eliminating the development, production, acquisition, stockpiling, retention, transfer or use of chemical weapons. The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) was established in The Hague, the Netherlands in 1997.
Tank with Laser and Laser Warning Receiver
When:
13 October 1995
Who:
100 States Parties
What:
Protocol IV to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons was adopted, banning the development and use of blinding laser weapons. It reflects progress in the field of high technology and prevention of potential misuse in the battlefield.
Bangkok
When:
15 December 1995
Who:
Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam
What:
The Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone (Bangkok Treaty) was opened for signature. It stresses that the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) is essential in preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons. By terms of the Treaty, each State Party commits not to: develop, manufacture or otherwise acquire, possess or have control over nuclear weapons; station or transport nuclear weapons by any means; or test or use nuclear weapons. Each State Party also undertakes not to dump at sea or discharge into the atmosphere anywhere within the Zone any radioactive material or wastes.
Parties to the Treaty
When:
11 April 1996
Who:
All Member States of the African Continent
What:
By terms of the African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (Treaty of Pelindaba), the entire African continent agreed not to manufacture or acquire control of nuclear weapons and seek or receive any assistance in the research on, development, manufacture, stockpiling or acquisition, or possession of any nuclear explosive device throughout the region. There are 30 independent states that are also members of this nuclear-weapon-free zone. It entered into force on 15 July 2009.
CTBTO Logo
When:
24 September 1996
Who:
182 States Parties
What:
The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) was opened for signature. It bans all nuclear test explosions in all environments for all time. The Preparatory Commission for the CTBT Organization is building a comprehensive verification regime which will have 337 monitoring facilities in 89 countries when complete, complemented with on-site inspections. Despite having been ratified by 153 countries, the Treaty has yet to enter into force as nine more States specified in the Treaty have yet to join.
Ammunition
When:
14 November 1997
Who:
29 Member States in the Americas
What:
The Inter-American Convention Against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives, and Other Related Materials (Inter-American Convention on Firearms) was opened for signature. It recognizes the links of such activities with drug trafficking, terrorism, transnational organized crime, and mercenary and other criminal activities in the region.
Parties to the Treaty
When:
1 March 1999
Who:
163 Member States
What:
The Mine Ban Convention, or Ottawa Convention, entered into force. It bans the use, production, and transfer of all anti-personnel landmines and provides for their destruction. The Convetion had been opened for signature in Ottawa on 3 December 1997 after its adoption at the Oslo Diplomatic Conference earlier that year.
States that have Signed the Convention
When:
7 June 1999
Who:
20 Member States in the Americas
What:
The Inter-American Convention on Transparency in Conventional Weapons Acquisitions adopted in Guatemala City was opened for signature. It stresses openness and transparency by exchanging information on weapon systems covered by the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms. It requires its States-parties to annually report on their weapons exports and imports, as well as make timely notifications of their weapons acquisitions, whether imported or produced domestically.
Parties to the Declaration
When:
1 December 2000
Who:
All Member States of the African Continent
What:
The Bamako Declaration was adopted by the Member States of the Organization of African Unity. It underlines the common African position on the proliferation, circulation and illicit trade in small arms and light weapons and recognizes the numerous problems inherent in Africa as a result of the wide proliferation of small arms and light weapons.
Small Arms
When:
20 July 2001
Who:
All UN Member States
What:
The UN Conference on Small Arms resulted in a Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat, and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects. The Programme of Action encourages the United Nations and other appropriate international and regional organizations to undertake initiatives to promote the implementation.
SADC Logo
When:
14 August 2001
Who:
Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa,
Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe
What:
The Protocol on the Control of Firearms, Ammunition and Other Related Materials in the Southern African Development Community Region (SADC Protocol) was adopted. It is a regional instrument that aims to curtail small arms ownership and illicit trafficking in Southern Africa along with the destruction of surplus state weapons. It is a far-reaching instrument, which goes beyond that of a politically binding declaration, providing the region with a legal basis upon which to deal with both the legal and the illicit trade in firearms.
Machetes and Bullets Near the Border in Gisenyi (Rwanda)
When:
28 November 2003
Who:
75 States Parties
What:
Protocol V of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons tackles the threat of explosive remnants of war such as unexploded munitions or abandoned ordinance, which pose a continued threat to local populations and reconstruction efforts in the post-combat environment. The Protocol was adopted on 28 November 2003 by the Meeting of the States Parties to the Convention. Since its adoption, 75 States are bound by Protocol V, which entered into force on 12 November 2006.
Collection of Small Arms
When:
21 April 2004
Who:
Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sudan, Uganda, and the United Republic of Tanzania
What:
The Nairobi Protocol for the Prevention, Control, and Reduction of Small Arms and Light Weapons in the Great Lakes Region and the Horn of Africa was adopted. It established legislative norms within the legal systems of the signatory states of Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sudan, Uganda, and the United Republic of Tanzania, in order to better address the problem of small arms and light weapons across the whole region. Additionally, it put in place a register of arms enabling more effective tracing of arms from State to State to support the legislative agenda and help control illegal cross-border trade.
UN General Assembly
When:
8 December 2005
Who:
The UN General Assembly
What:
The General Assembly adopted the International Instrument to Enable States to Identify and Trace in a Timely and Reliable Manner, Illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons (International Tracing Instrument).
ECOWAS Logo
When:
14 June 2006
Who:
Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo
What:
The ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons, their Ammunition and other related materials was adopted. It aims to prevent the destabilizing accumulation of arms and ammunition within West Africa. It promotes the exchange of information and greater transparency within the region, prevent the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, and provide effective control mechanisms.
Parties to the Treaty
When:
8 September 2006
Who:
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan
What:
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan agreed to establish a Treaty on a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone (CANWFZ) in Central Asia. The treaty bans the stockpiling, acquisition, possession, manufacture, or control of nuclear weapons and or any explosive device. It entered into force on 21 March 2009.
General Assembly's Ad Hoc Committee on International Terrorism
When:
7 July 2007
Who:
The UN General Assembly
What:
The Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism, also known as the Convention on Terrorist Bombings, entered into force. The Convention arose from the international community in the post-cold war era's fear of nuclear weapons or material falling into terrorist hands.
Cluster Bomb
When:
3 December 2008
Who:
56 States Parties
What:
The Convention on Cluster Munitions was opened for signature, forbidding States to develop, produce, otherwise acquire, stockpile, retain or transfer to anyone, directly or indirectly, cluster munitions. The Convention entered into force on 1 August 2010.
The Kinshasa Convention
When:
19 November 2010
Who:
Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon and Sao Tome and Principe
What:
The Central African Convention for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, Their Ammunition and All Parts and Components That Can be Used for Their Manufacture, Repair and Assembly (Kinshasa Convention) was signed. It represents a major legal advance in the fight against illicit trade and trafficking of small arms and light weapons. The Convention was signed by Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon and Sao Tome and Principe.