Published on 1 February 2026

Nuclear disarmament

Thousands of nuclear weapons still exist worldwide, while risks surrounding nuclear weapons are higher than at any time since the end of the Cold War. For this reason, Switzerland participates in multilateral forums on nuclear disarmament and supports measures and instruments designed to bring us closer to the long-term goal of a world without nuclear weapons. The centrepiece of this disarmament policy is the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

A man standing in a field of rubble, looking at the ruins of a building on which the remains of a dome can be seen.

Nuclear weapons are weapons of mass destruction with catastrophic humanitarian consequences. In a nuclear war there would be no winners, only losers, as the humanitarian, ecological, economic and social consequences would not stop at national borders.

This is why Switzerland is committed to nuclear disarmament. Over the decades, disarmament has been carried out worldwide.

In the current security policy context, however, the signs are no longer pointing to disarmament, but to rearmament. Nuclear weapons have once again become more prominent in global politics.

Even if a world without nuclear weapons is not within reach for the time being, Switzerland remains committed to this long-term goal, and calls for international cooperation in this area, precisely because the security situation is volatile. This includes the full implementation of existing treaties and agreements.

Switzerland is particularly committed to reducing the risks relating to nuclear weapons, as these risks have increased as a result of the security situation and new technologies. In this way, Switzerland seeks to help minimise the risk of misunderstandings or uncontrolled nuclear escalation.

In nuclear disarmament Switzerland's main focus is on the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. This treaty has been in force since 1970 and the nightmare scenario of over 20 states with nuclear weapons has been averted.

Significant progress has also been made in nuclear disarmament. However, Switzerland is calling on the nuclear-weapon states to take further measures to reduce the number of nuclear warheads and their delivery systems.