ABSTRACT
A step-by-step approach to nuclear disarmament is implicit in the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and has been elaborated in successive NPT Review Conferences. It has become a subject of major political contention that currently no such steps are taking place – this was a key factor behind the majority of states supporting the negotiation of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). Disarming immediately as proposed by the TPNW is unrealistic – moving to zero will require high levels of confidence and trust that will take time to develop. This will require a step-by-step approach to disarmament, accompanied by the progressive development and implementation of verification systems. Effective verification will be absolutely essential to achieving nuclear disarmament. Developing effective verification might seem to be an impossible challenge, but there is substantial experience to build on, including International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards and bilateral arms control processes. International collaboration in developing new verification applications will contribute to the confidence and trust required to achieve the elimination of nuclear weapons.
