Irreversibility in nuclear arms control and disarmament law?

The article focuses on the legal framework supporting the irreversibility of nuclear arms control and disarmament measures under international law. It highlights significant gaps in existing treaty regimes, such as incomplete universal participation, abrogated missile limitations, and limited transparency in nuclear doctrines, while emphasizing that fundamental principles of international law—including non-proliferation and disarmament obligations—have an erga omnes character and may constitute peremptory norms (jus cogens). The report examines treaty withdrawal limitations, verification mechanisms like those under the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards, legal restraints on nuclear deterrence, and the role of missile control agreements, concluding that effective irreversibility requires States to respect withdrawal restrictions, recognize the peremptory nature of core norms, and enhance cooperation to address treaty gaps and ensure compliance.