The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) is the centrepiece of global efforts to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons, to promote cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and to further the goal of nuclear disarmament and general and complete disarmament.

Discouraging countries from developing nuclear weapons while promoting the use of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes—such as energy generation and medical research—has been the main challenge.

All NATO Allies are States Parties to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which entered into force in 1970. The NPT is the cornerstone of international efforts to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology, and to achieve the goal of nuclear disarmament.

This is because of something called the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) - an agreement which aims to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and promote disarmament.