Division 1 Introduction

The number of terrorist incidents in Member States of the Union and elsewhere over recent years has shown no sign of diminishing. The international community has recognised in various forums that the risk of successful acts of nuclear terrorism involving nuclear or other radioactive material remains high. In addition, recent reports of illicit trafficking, including those involving particularly sensitive nuclear material, have underscored the continuing risk that terrorists could acquire such materials.

The international community has reacted strongly to these threats and has taken several initiatives aimed at preventing nuclear or other radioactive material form falling into the hands of terrorists.

IAEA verification remains an indispensable tool for building confidence among States with regard to nuclear non-proliferation undertakings, and for advancing the peaceful use of nuclear material.

Recent international developments have resulted in a new and strengthened set of international legal instruments that are relevant for nuclear security and verification:

• In July 2005, States Parties adopted the Amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material.

• The International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism was opened for signature in September 2005.

• In April 2004, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1540(2004), dealing with weapons of mass destruction and non-State actors.

• UN Security Council Resolution 1373(2001) calls for all States to become parties as soon as possible to the relevant international conventions and protocols relating to terrorism.

Over 95 States have made a political commitment to implement the Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources^f1. In addition, the General Conferences and the Board of Governors of the IAEA have adopted several resolutions and decisions to strengthen the IAEA safeguards system^f2.

States’ implementation of these international instruments may be significantly facilitated, in part, by assistance provided through the IAEA Nuclear Security Plans (NSP) for 2003-2005 and 2006-2009. In September 2009 the IAEA NSP for 2010-2013 was adopted, which reflects a strong continuation of the former plans. The objective of this NSP is to contribute to global efforts to achieve worldwide, effective security wherever nuclear or other radioactive material is in use, storage and/or transport, and of associated facilities, by supporting States, upon request, in their efforts to establish and maintain effective nuclear security through assistance in capacity building, guidance, human resource development, sustainability and risk reduction. The objective is also to assist adherence to and implementation of nuclear security related international legal instruments, and to strengthen the international cooperation and coordination of assistance given through bilateral programmes and other international initiatives in a manner which also would contribute to enabling the safe, secure and peaceful use of nuclear energy and of such applications with radioactive substances.

The IAEA NSP pursues similar objectives to some elements of the EU Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction. These provide a comprehensive approach to nuclear security including the regulatory controls, accountability and protection of nuclear and other radioactive materials in use, storage and transport, ‘from cradle to grave’, in the short term as well as in the long term. However, should the protection fail, backup measures must be established to detect theft or attempts to smuggle the material across international borders and to respond to malicious acts involving nuclear or other radioactive materials, should they occur.

The IAEA completed successfully the implementation of Joint Actions 2004/495/CFSP and 2005/574/CFSP. In addition, the IAEA is in the final stage of implementing Joint Action 2006/418/CFSP, and it is implementing Joint Action 2008/314/CFSP.

With the associated Union’s contributions, the IAEA has indicated and implemented activities to support the efforts of recipient States in the Caucasus, Central Asia, South-Eastern Europe, the Mediterranean region in the Middle East, Africa and in the South East Asia region to strengthen nuclear security and the implementation of international safeguards in these countries.