Cessation of Nuclear-Weapon tests

Abstract

The cessation of nuclear-weapon tests has been a long-standing item on the disarmament agenda. Over the years increasing pressure has been brought to bear on the nuclear-weapon States and a variety of control measures have been introduced, but as yet the goal of cessation of nuclear-weapon tests has not been achieved. The most significant achievement to date is the Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapon Tests in the Atmosphere, in Outer Space and Under Water, known as the partial test-ban Treaty, which was signed on 5 August 1963 by the USSR, the United Kingdom and the United States and entered into force on 10 October of that year. Some 110 States are parties to the Treaty, although they do not include two nuclear-weapon States, China and France; the latter, however, has not conducted tests in the prohibited environments since 1974.