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Nuclear Zero Fact Sheet #4
Nuclear Weapons Free Zones
Nuclear Weapons Free Zones (NWFZs) are areas where it's forbidden to test, station, develop, and use nuclear weapons, and where nuclear energy may be used only for peaceful purposes. They range from single nations to multi-national regions and international spaces. They are established by treaty or convention, statute and action of the United Nations General Assembly.
Single State NWFZs have been established in four nations: Austria, Mongolia, New Zealand and the Philippines.
Multi-state NWFZs have long been in effect in five regions: Antarctica (1961, 12 nations); Latin America and the Caribbean (1969, 31 nations); the South Pacific (1986, 12 nations); Southeast Asia (1997, 10 nations). outer space (1967, 98 nations); the seabed and ocean floor (1972, 74 nations).
Multi-state NWFZs recently went into effect in two additional regions: Central Asia (5 nations, March 21, 2009) and Africa (28 nations, July 15, 2009).
There are proposals for creating NWFZs in four regions: the Middle East, South Asia, Northeast Asia, and Central Europe. These regions are unique in including, or adjoining, de facto or declared nuclear weapon states — a move that signals a switch from passive to active disarmament.
Nuclear Weapons Free Zones have begun mutual cooperation efforts, including a 2005 Conference of States Parties to NWFZs in Mexico. Another conference is scheduled for 2010.
Southeast Asia: Brunei Darussaleam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
Central Asia: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan
South Asia: NWFZ might include all members of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation — Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. The inclusion of Afghanistan has also been mentioned. China's membership in a South Asia NWFZ is also essential for India to be a part of a South Asia NWFZ. Since China is one of the five NWS recognized by the NPT and not likely to relinquish its nuclear weapons, a NWFZ in South Asia is not likely in the foreseeable future.
Northeast Asia NWFZ might include Japan, Mongolia and South Korea, for starters.
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