The text of the TPNW was agreed during a relatively short negotiation period. It includes comprehensive prohibitions regarding participation in any nuclear weapon activities, including undertakings not to develop, test, produce, acquire, possess, stockpile, use or threaten to use nuclear weapons. The Treaty prohibits the deployment of nuclear weapons on national territory and requires states parties to prevent and suppress any prohibited activity by persons within or on their territory or under their jurisdiction or control.

The TPNW demonstrates growing support of humanitarian efforts to take action against nuclear weapons. It marks a fundamental shift by some states and individuals in the international community in their approach to addressing concerns regarding nuclear weapons and represents their willingness to challenge the status quo regarding the power of the nuclear states and their allies. Humanitarian disarmament efforts through civil society groups, in conjunction with a core group of like-minded states, have rallied together to outlaw nuclear weapons. The intention is to relegate them to the annals of history – eliminating them forever.