Why was the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty extended indefinitely in 1995?

The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons was originally established in 1968 with a 25-year lifespan, meaning it was set to expire in 1995.1

In 1995, the treaty was extended indefinitely and without conditions by a consensus vote of 174 countries at the United Nations headquarters. This decision was driven by the treaty's foundational role in sustaining the international norm against the spread of nuclear weapons. Despite the inherent inequality of the agreement—which requires nonnuclear states to forgo weapon development while allowing established nuclear powers to retain their arsenals—the international community reached this consensus to prioritize global security and prevent the dangers associated with nuclear proliferation.1

The extension reflected a collective commitment to the treaty's original framework, which included promises from nuclear states to assist nonnuclear signatories with civilian nuclear power development and to pursue meaningful disarmament measures.1