The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) is often alleged to be at risk of “crumbling” or “damaged beyond repair”. Kjølv Egeland, Fellow at the Norwegian Academy of International Law, argues that this fear-mongering is unfounded. The NPT is one of the most widely supported international agreements that exist today. The challenge facing its supporters is not damage-limitation or “protecting what we’ve got” but extending the disarmament norm.
Following the Vienna Conference on the Humanitarian Impact of Nuclear Weapons, two leading experts offer their thoughts and analysis to the European Leadership Network.
Kjølv Egeland provides an overview of proceedings at the December 2014 Vienna Conference on the Humanitarian Impact of Nuclear Weapons, concluding that a focus on the humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons has given those advocating for disarmament a new lease of life.
Torbjørn Hugo and Kjølv Egeland argue that if multilateral disarmament is to be achieved, it is not only the leadership of nuclear-armed states that is needed.