Regional disarmament

The consolidation of existing nuclear-weapon-free zones (NWFZs) continued to make progress in 2012. Mongolia’s self-declared nuclear-weapon-free status was, for example, further strengthened through a joint declaration made by the nuclear-weapon States reaffirming that status. The consolidation of the African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone also progressed as further steps were taken to operationalize the African Commission on Nuclear Energy. States parties of the Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (Bangkok Treaty) and the nuclear-weapon States meanwhile, continued their diplomatic efforts to facilitate an understanding on the latter’s adherence to the Treaty’s Protocol. The conference that was to be held in 2012 on the proposed establishment of a Middle East zone free of nuclear weapons and all other weapons of mass destruction (WMD) was postponed, despite intensive consultations.

Related Subject(s): Disarmament