Treaty on the Prohibition of the Emplacement of Nuclear Weapons and other Weapons of Mass Destruction on the Sea-Bed and the Ocean Floor and in the Subsoil thereof (London Version)

Title (French)

Traité interdisant de placer des armes nucléaires et d'autres armes de destruction massive sur le fond des mers et des océans ainsi que dans leur sous-sol (London Version)

Title (Other)

Vetrag über das Verbot der Anbringung von Kernwaffen und anderen Massenvernichtungswaffen auf dem Meeresboden und im Meeresuntergrund (London Version)

Place of adoption

London; Moscow; Washington D.C.

Depository

Russian Federation, United Kingdom, United States of America

Language

Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish

Entry into force

May 18, 1972

Subject

Waste & hazardous substances, Sea

Keyword

Nuclear energy Radioactive pollution Deep sea bed Military activities

Geographical area

Arctic

Abstract

Objective: To exclude the sea bed, the ocean floor and the subsoil thereof from the arms race as a step towards disarmament, the reduction of international tensions and the maintenance of world peace.

Summary of provisions: Parties undertake not to place on the sea bed, on the ocean floor or in the subsoil thereof, nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction, or structures for launching, storing, testing or using such weapons (art. 1). The outer limit of the seabed zone is defined as the 12-mile limit referred to in the Convention on the Territorial Sea and the Contiguous Zone, 1958 (art. 2). Observers from any Party may observe and verify the activities of any other Party on the seabed. In case of doubt Parties agree to consult and cooperate to remove such doubt by means of inspection and any other agreed procedures. If a serious question still remains concerning the fulfilment of the obligations under the Treaty, a Party may refer the matter to the United Nations Security Council (art. 3).

(Source: IUCN ELC, 08.2005, based on UNEP Register of International Treaties and Other Agreements in the Field of the Environment, 1996)

Full text

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Website

www.un.org
treaties.fco.gov.uk

* [1] Ratification [2] Accession/approbation [3] Acceptance/approval [4] Succession [5] Consent to be bound [6] Definite signature

Other references

Jurisprudence

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