September 20, 2011: Guinea ratifies the CTBT
July 28-29, 2011: First high-level meeting between the US and North Korea in two years takes place between U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Policy Stephen Bosworth and North Korean First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Gye Gwan in New York. US displayed willingness to restart talks if North Korea demonstrates commitment to a constructive attitude during negotiations.
July 1, 2011: Joint Statement on First P-5 Follow-Up Meeting to the NPT Review Conference
June 29, 2011: The United Kingdom announces the commencement of its program to reduce the number of warheads on each of its four Trident submarines. The Ministry of Defence stipulates that “the number of warheads on board each submarine would be reduced from a maximum of 48 to a maximum of 40, the number of operational missiles on the Vanguard Class submarines would be reduced to no more than eight, and the number of operational warheads reduced from fewer than 160 to no more than 120” with a reduction of the total stockpile to reach no more than 180 warheads by the mid-2020s.
June 14, 2011: Ghana ratifies the CTBT
April 2011: The UN Security Council passes resolution 1977, extending resolution 1540’s mandate for another ten years. Resolution 1540 takes measures to prevent non-state actors (terrorists) from acquiring nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons, delivery vehicles associated with these weapons, and other related material.
February 5, 2011: New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) enters into force. Treaty duration: 10 years, with option for renewal. Treaty documents and full timeline available on the State Department’s website.
January 28, 2011: Russia completes ratification process for New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START).