The United Nations Disarmament Yearbook Vol. 29

Nuclear Disarmament and Non-Proliferation have been Priorities on the International Peace and security agenda for a long time. Discussions and negotiations on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation both within and outside the United Nations have led to the conclusion of a number of bilateral, regional and multilateral agreements. Unilateral initiatives as well have been taken to cut down nuclear arsenals and reduce the risk of the outbreak of nuclear war and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear weapons. Efforts have even led to the prohibition of nuclear weapons from certain environments and regions called nuclear-weapon-free zones (NWFZs). Finally, international norms have been established to prevent the proliferation and the testing of nuclear weapons.