A United Nations conference on Monday released its final draft text of a legally binding global nuclear weapons prohibition as it concludes its final negotiating session on the document.
The U.N. General Assembly last month resumed negotiations on the proposed treaty, after releasing in May a first draft that outlined prohibitions on the use, production, transfer, and testing of nuclear weapons.
Roughly 40 nations boycotted the initial negotiations launched in March, including nuclear-weapon states Russia, France, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
Nevertheless, participating states completed a draft under which parties would agree never to develop, produce, possess, or stockpile nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices; transfer or receive such weapons; use them; and conduct nuclear test explosions, among other related activities.
The final draft, similar to previous versions, would require member nations to declare production or possession of nuclear weapons prior to the treaty’s entry into force and to work with the International Atomic Energy Agency for verification of nuclear weapon program dismantlement.
The treaty would enter into force 90 days after the 50th instrument of ratification is deposited and would feature regular meetings of states parties to discuss progress in implementation.
This week’s last round of negotiations will conclude on Friday with a vote on the final draft.
The conference will submit a report to the General Assembly’s 72nd session in September following the end of negotiations. According to the final draft, the treaty would be open for signature to all U.N. states on Sept. 19 in New York.
The Trump administration, like its predecessor, maintains that such a prohibition would be impractical and destabilizing in that it would undermine U.S. extended deterrence to allies around the world and would not compel adversaries such as North Korea to abide by its terms.
