The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) established a process for periodically reviewing its implementation through dedicated conferences. The Treaty required States Parties to convene five years after its entry into force to assess the implementation of its objectives, with subsequent conferences held every five years if proposed by a majority of the Parties and submitted to the Depositary Governments – Russian Federation, United States, and United Kingdom.

In practice, NPT Review Conferences (RevCon) have been held regularly every five years since the first was convened in 1975. The RevCons serve as a political forum for States Parties to assess the implementation of the NPT. However, RevCons are not a forum for formally addressing compliance concerns or settling disputes in the NPT, as they have no legal authority to adjudicate violations or enforce treaty obligations. Concerns regarding safeguards implementation related to the fulfillment of Article III obligations are addressed by the IAEA.

The purpose of the RevCons is both retrospective and forward-looking: to evaluate developments during the review cycle and to identify areas and means for advancing the Treaty’s objectives. The RevCons also provide an opportunity for States Parties to consider measures to strengthen the implementation of the treaty and achieve its universality. The purpose of each RevCons is to produce a consensus document that reflects the outcomes of the review and sets out recommendations and follow-up actions.

Outcome Documents

Consensus documents have been adopted by the 1975, 1985, 1995, 2000, and 2010 Review Conferences.

• First Review Conference (1975): adoption of a Final Declaration reaffirming States Parties strong support for the Treaty and reflected a shared view that the provisions related to the fundamental goal of preventing the further spread of nuclear weapons had been faithfully observed by all Parties.8

• Third Review Conference (1985): adoption of a Final Declaration expressing continued support for the objectives of the Treaty and its essential role to international peace and security.10

• Fifth Review and Extension Conference (1995): adoption of a resolution on the Middle East and three decisions:
• Decision 1: Strengthening the review process, making the five-year RevCon cycle permanent and introduced a more structured preparatory process, consisting of three PrepCom meetings before each RevCon (with an optional fourth if necessary);
• Decision 2: Principles and objectives for nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament;
• Decision 3: Indefinite extension of the Treaty.

• Sixth Review Conference (2000): adoption of 13 practical steps toward systematic and progressive nuclear disarmament.13

• Eighth Review Conference (2010): adoption of a 64-point Action Plan aimed at advancing the goals of nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation, and the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.15

The Review Conference

Since 1995, RevCons have been held at the UN Headquarters in New York, lasting four weeks. Review Conferences typically open with three to five days of general debate, during which heads of delegations present opening remarks outlining their countries’ objectives and expectations for the Conference, particularly regarding the Treaty’s three pillars – non-proliferation, disarmament, and peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

Since 1985, substantive matters are divided among three thematic Main Committees (MCs):

• MC I: Nuclear disarmament and security assurances;

• MC II: Regional issues, including establishing a WMD-free zone in the Middle East; and

• MC III: Peaceful uses of nuclear energy and other issues.

States Parties may also form Subsidiary Bodies (SBs) to give more detailed attention to specific matters. While not mandatory, it has become customary to establish three SBs:

• SB 1: Next steps on nuclear disarmament;

• SB 2: Regional issues, including establishing a WMD-free zone in the Middle East; and

• SB 3: "Other issues”, including Treaty withdrawal (Article X), improving the review process, and advancing peaceful nuclear applications.

The MCs and SBs usually begin their substantive work at the end of the first week and aim to conclude negotiations by the third week. If needed, discussions may be extended into the fourth week, although the final week is generally reserved for finalizing the outcome document. Over approximately two weeks, the MCs and SBs engage in negotiations on Treaty implementation and future measures.

Preparatory Committees

Each RevCon is preceded by three Preparatory Committee (PrepCom) meetings, held annually in the three years leading up to each Conference. These meetings rotate between Vienna, Geneva, and New York, and each last ten working days. An optional fourth meeting may be convened if necessary. PrepComs address both procedural matters and substantive discussions on Treaty implementation and past RevCons decisions and resolutions. Debates are organized into three thematic Clusters, analogous to the SBs. While the first two PrepComs are expected to transmit factual summaries to subsequent sessions, the third (or fourth) PrepCom should strive to produce a consensus report with recommendations for the RevCon. In practice, however, consensus on substantive recommendations has not been achieved, and Chairs typically issue draft summaries and recommendations as working paper in their own capacity.