Weapons proliferation

The spread of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) poses a threat to the UK and the international community. Increasingly, terrorists and criminal networks are trying to acquire these weapons.

We're working in Brazil and around the world to promote and implement the UK Government's policies on nuclear weapons, chemical and biological weapons, conventional weapons, export controls and ambition for an arms trade treaty.

International cooperation

The spread of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons has been successfully limited by international arms control and disarmament agreements:

• Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)
• Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT)
• Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC)
• Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC)

Inspections by organisations such as International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Organisation for the Prevention of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) help to enforce arms control.

Chemical and biological weapons

We're working to enforce the ban on chemical and biological weapons through international treaties and conventions.

Nuclear weapons

We're working to counter the continued threat of the proliferation of nuclear weapons. The UK retains a minimum nuclear deterrent.

Controlling the export of weapons

We're working to improve the international standard of export controls for weapons and the technology and material required to develop them.

Conventional weapons & an arms trade treaty

We're working closely with other countries and international organisations such as the UN to develop an arms trade treaty to control the proliferation of conventional weapons.

Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)

ATAS has been set up to stop the spread of knowledge and skills that could be used in the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and their means of delivery.