Since the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) entered into force in 1970, review conferences are held every five years for state parties to assess progress on national measures to implement its three pillars: nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation, and peaceful uses of nuclear energy. The first of such conferences was held in 1975. From April 28 to May 9 this year, the Preparatory Committee for the 2026 NPT Review Conference, consisting of state parties to the NPT, held its third session at the UN headquarters in New York. In the section on disarmament in its draft report, the UK not only reaffirmed its commitment to multilateral disarmament, but also emphasised the prominence of nuclear deterrence to its national security, NATO, and the defence of the UK’s allies. However, this deterrence posture appears to undermine the UK’s pronounced commitment to disarmament. Furthermore, while the report highlighted the UK’s involvement in and contributions to various international disarmament forums, it did not specify any concrete steps it is taking toward actual nuclear disarmament.
Additionally, while the UK presents itself as transparent in the report and even puts forward transparency as a key principle of disarmament, as NIS has previously noted, there has been an increasing and unprecedented level of secrecy surrounding its nuclear weapons programme in recent years.