ABSTRACT
The nine nuclear-weapons states and their allies are still in a state of denial, however. They have consistently resisted the very idea of a treaty banning nuclear weapons, despite their obligation under the 1970 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) to pursue multilateral negotiations on the elimination of nuclear weapons. The ban treaty will forbid the development, production, testing, acquisition, stockpiling, transfer, possession and stationing – as well as the use and threat of use – of nuclear weapons. Although the treaty’s adoption at the close of negotiations by 122 states certainly represents a major diplomatic achievement, it is fair to ask what its impact on global nuclear affairs will ultimately be. Advocates hope that the ban treaty will be a wake-up call for the nuclear-weapons states and their allies. The ban treaty is nothing less than a heart-felt cry for nuclear abolition.
