The Global Zero Commission, a group of political and military leaders from the U.S., Russia and other key countries, including Ambassador Richard Burt, Chief U.S. Negotiator for the START 1 negotiations, former U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel, Medvedev advisor Igor Yurgens, and Russian Senator Mikhail Margelov, today outlined a step-by-step process to achieve the elimination of nuclear weapons. The goal was called for by Presidents Obama and Medvedev at their first meeting on April 1.
The plan includes specific recommendations for the Obama and Medvedev administrations in advance of the July 6-8 Moscow Summit. The Commission unveiled its four-phased plan of action, the key elements of which are:
Phase 1 (2010 – 2013)
• Following conclusion of START replacement, negotiate a bilateral accord for the United States and Russia to reduce to 1,000 total warheads each.
• Prepare for multilateral negotiations.
Phase 2 (2014 – 2018)
• In a multilateral framework, the U.S. and Russia reach agreement to reduce to 500 total warheads each (to be implemented by 2021) as long as all other nuclear weapons countries agree to freeze their stockpiles until 2018, followed by proportional reductions until 2021. The accord includes:
• A requirement that all countries with nuclear weapons sign and ratify the multilateral accord in order for it to enter into force;
• A comprehensive verification and enforcement system, including no-notice, on-site inspections.
• Strengthen safeguards on the civilian nuclear fuel cycle to prevent diversion of materials to build weapons.
Phase 3 (2019 – 2023)
• Negotiate a global zero accord, which includes:
• A schedule for the phased, verified, proportionate reduction of all nuclear arsenals to zero total warheads by 2030;
• A requirement that all nuclear capable countries sign and ratify the global zero accord in order for it to enter into force;
• Continued implementation of the verification and enforcement system.
Phase 4 (2024 – 2030)
• Complete the phased, verified, proportionate reduction of all nuclear arsenals to zero total warheads by 2030.
• Continue the comprehensive verification and enforcement system.
“We at Global Zero have formed an international Commission of political and military leaders with national security experience in the key nuclear and non-nuclear countries to develop a practical, comprehensive end-to-end strategy – including near, medium and long-term steps – for the phased, verified reduction of all nuclear weapons to zero,” said Ambassador Burt. “We have outlined a four-phased process for the preparation, negotiation, and ratification of a global zero accord over 14 years (2010-2023) and the completion of the dismantlement of all nuclear warheads over the following seven years (2024-2030).”
Igor Yurgens said, “In April, Presidents Medvedev and Obama jointly declared their commitment to ‘achieving a nuclear free world’ – demonstrating the kind of bold leadership we need to combat the most urgent security threat to our world: the proliferation of nuclear weapons. We believe that Presidents Obama and Medvedev could set the world's course to zero nuclear weapons if they initiate serious talks on a comprehensive strategy to achieve it.”
Sen. Margelov said, “The world is nearing a ‘proliferation tipping point’ when nuclear weapons spread beyond the capacity of any effort to rein them in and the chances increase that they will be used by a country or terrorist group. As long as nuclear weapons exist they will continue to spread. The only real solution to this global security crisis is the elimination of all nuclear weapons – global zero.”
The Commission will continue to develop and refine the plan in the months ahead, including at a second meeting and through consultations with key governments in the fall. The Commission will present the final plan at the Global Zero Summit February 2-4, 2010, which will convene 250 international leaders. The Commission is part of the Global Zero initiative -- an international, non-partisan effort formed in response to the growing threats of proliferation and nuclear terrorism and dedicated to achieving the phased, verified elimination of all nuclear weapons. Global Zero is spearheaded by a group of more than 100 leaders worldwide, including many who have worked at senior levels with issues of national security such as former heads of state, former foreign ministers, former defense ministers, former national security advisors, and more than 20 former top military commanders.
Download the full Global Zero Action Plan (in PDF)
To see full list of commissioners, click here.