Denuclearisation involves the complete elimination of nuclear weapons in a place. The Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT) is an international treaty that aims to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and to eventually achieve complete nuclear disarmament States signatory to the treaty ended all nuclear developments in their respective regions.
These states are also expected to allow inspection of their nuclear facilities by the international Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The NPT opened for signature in 1968 and entered into force in 1970. The treaty is almost universal with only four non-signatony countries- India, Israel, Pakistan and South Sudan after North Korea withdrew in 2003.
North Korea, which initially ratified the treaty, decided to pull out of it in 2003, becoming the first state ever to withdraw from the NPT. In 2005, Pyongyang publicly declared that it possessed nuclear weapons. Since then, North Korea has carried out several nuclear tests.
Meanwhile, Palestine is the most recent state to have joined, having submitted its instrument of succession on February 10, 2015.
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