The Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) is the single most important treaty covering nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament. This learning unit introduces the NPT and discusses its political, legal and historical dimensions.

After completing this learning unit, you will

• understand the origins, history, rationale and functioning of the NPT.
• know the requirements/basic undertakings of the treaty under its three pillars (disarmament, non-proliferation, peaceful uses).
• identify the main challenges within the NPT: universality, withdrawal, compliance, enforcement, transparency, WMD-Free Zone in the Middle East.
• comprehend the relation between the NPT and other international legal instruments on disarmament and non-proliferation.
• get an overview over the IAEA and EURATOM safeguards and verification systems and the legal framework.
• understand the dynamics and main trends of the peaceful applications of nuclear energy.
• be able to distinguish the concepts nuclear security and nuclear safety, as well as the different tools and legal instruments of each one.
• be capable of assessing the EU’s position on the NPT, the IAEA’s safeguards system, nuclear security and nuclear safety.