I.Background of Nuclear Weapon Free Zones:

Nuclear weapon free zones (NWFZs) are an agreement between a group of states to ban the usage, development, or deployment of any nuclear weapon within a given area. Nuclear weapon free zones (NWFZs) are created to ensure worldwide security and peace among the countries. After Africa agreed to joining a Nuclear weapon free zones (NWFZ) (making it the 6th zone), 56% of the earth’s land surface and 60% of the 193 states are nuclear weapon free. Britain, France, and the USA however, are all under a “nuclear umbrella” with the other members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) along with four states that are not part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization(NATO) (Austria, Ireland, Sweden, and Finland). Those that are west of the former Soviet Union are not yet members and only three Baltic States of the former Soviet Union are part of a Nuclear weapon free zone (NWFZ). India, Pakistan, and five other southern Asia states are not members and there are a total of 11 Middle Eastern states that also have not joined (the UN continues to urge for the establishment of a NWFZ in the Middle East). Nuclear weapons are a continual global problem due to the fact that there are 20+ countries with nuclear weapons, thus making it possible for 20 different country’s terrorist to somehow get access to the weapons and launch them for the wrong reasons and as the number grows for those countries that own nuclear weapons so does the chance of an accidental launching. The problem only spreads because as more countries arm themselves, those who are at peace also feel the need for protection. Not all countries have the same proper restraint and that is why the UN feels the need to get the states to join NWFZs to bring together all states as one in peace.

II. U.N. Involvement in Nuclear Weapon Free Zones:

The UN Office for Disarmament Affairs(UNODA) main goal was established in January of 1998 and it promotes nuclear disarmament.In 1999 UNODA came up with a set of recommended principles for the establishment of nuclear weapons. (The following is taken off the UN website):

  • The initiative to establish a nuclear-weapon-free zone should emanate exclusively from States within the region concerned and be pursued by all States of that region.
  • The nuclear-weapon States should be consulted during the negotiations of each treaty and its relevant protocol(s) establishing a nuclear-weapon-free zone in order to facilitate their signature to and ratification of the relevant protocol(s) to the treaty, through which they undertake legally binding commitments to the status of the zone and not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against States parties to the treaty.
  • A nuclear-weapon-free zone should not prevent the use of nuclear science and technology for peaceful purposes and could also promote, if provided for in the treaties establishing such zones, bilateral, regional and international cooperation for the peaceful use of nuclear energy in the zone, in support of socio-economic, scientific and technological development of the States parties.

Nuclear-weapon-free zones should be established on the basis of arrangements freely arrived among the States of the region concerned.Based on the official UN site the following are offcial treaties established on Nuclear Weapon free zones: Treaty of Tlateloco (prohibited weapons in Latin America and the Carribean), Treaty of Rarontonga (South Pacific Nuclear Zone Treaty), Treaty of Bangkok (Southeast Asia), Treaty of Pilendaba (Africa), and Treaty on a Nuclear-Weapon Zone in Centra Asia. NGO’s such as Peace Boat are in full support of UNODA and disarming weapons among the countries. Recently Obama and the Senate passed New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) which is a nuclear arms reduction treaty between the U.S and Russia. The UN continues to strive to bring all countries under the NWFZ, but one of their main concerns is the Middle East. The UN will only continue to try and bring the countries under the Nuclear Weapon free zone to the best of their abilities and ensure countries that through this action, the world will find peace and security.

III. Possible Solutions to Nuclear Weapon Free Zones:

In order to find peace among the countries the UN must find a solution to assure there are no more nuclear weapons being developed and no possibility of these harmful weapons being launched. The UN has developed a plan to find a solution to the global problem of nuclear weapons. First, peace treaties must be encouraged throughout all countries that prevent countries from developing nuclear programs. If countries fail to follow through with the treaties or risk putting any country including their own in danger, sanctions will be put on them. The UN plans on giving countries that do not own weapons aid (if needed) through NGOs to give them a sense of security. Lastly, all countries will be encouraged to join the Nuclear Weapon Free Zone as previously done over the years. With this plan, countries may come to feel secure and nuclear weapons will be limited.

IV. Bloc Positions for Nuclear Weapon Free Zones:

Asian bloc: Countries of this bloc support the establishment of Nuclear Weapon Free Zones in central Asia and Southeast Asia.

Middle Eastern bloc: Eleven states are not part of the Nuclear Weapon Free Zone and the UN continually urges for the establishment of a NWFZ in this area. Those that have nuclear weapons in the Middle East do not plan on dropping them any time soon which creates a problem between the UN and these countries.

Latin bloc: The Latin bloc is on shaky ground with Nuclear Weapons; three countries- Mexico, Argentina, and Brazil- have nuclear weapons and plan on building more. As opposed to entering arms races, the establishment of Nuclear Weapon Free Zones would be preferable to most countries of this bloc.

European Bloc: European countries continue to hold nuclear weapons, and although disarmament is encouraged, it has not yet taken place. Yet again, Nuclear Weapon Free Zones are appealing for this bloc, although it is unlikely that NATO members will give up such arms.

African bloc:The African bloc has already made substantial efforts and has had success in establishing Nuclear Weapon Free Zones.

Western bloc:The primary concern of the western bloc is security. While gradual nuclear disarmament is favorable, the establishment of Nuclear Weapon Free Zones is an issue that is still debated.

V. Questions to Consider for Nuclear Weapon Free Zones:

1. What is your country's stance on Nuclear Weapons?

2. How does your country affect all nations?

3. What treaties have been passed in your country?

VI. Works Cited for Nuclear Weapon Free Zones: