The International Atomic Agency (IAEA) is the nuclear watchdog for the United Nations. On February 10th of this year in Vienna, more than fifty ministers and two thousand nuclear experts met to begin a conference on global nuclear security. With respect to the conference, the IAEA said that nuclear security issues ranging from a possible cyber-attack on a nuclear plant to a black market in radioactive materials were a growing international concern. The IAEA and its Members have been increasing their efforts to improve nuclear security recently, but more work is needed.
Rafael Mariano Grossi is the IAEA Director General. At the opening of the week-long conference at the IAEA Headquarters He said, “Nuclear and radioactive material is a magnet for groups with malicious intent that see in this material a possibility to create panic and bring distress and pain to our societies”.
Nuclear technology and science provide many benefits to the world ranging from clear energy and cancer care to food security and pest control. However, the nuclear and radioactive materials that produce those benefits must b e carefully guarded constantly to prevent them from being acquired by terrorists. This requires preventing, detecting and/or responding to any malicious activities that may involve nuclear materials or radioactive substances.
At the start of the conference, government ministers and other high-level representatives from more than one hundred and forty countries adopted a new declaration dedicated to improving global nuclear security and countering the threat of nuclear terrorism. In the declaration, the IAEA members reaffirmed their pledge to support the common goals of nuclear disarmament and the peaceful use of nuclear energy. The declaration stated that nuclear security must be recognized for its contributions to international peace and security.
The ministerial declaration stated, “We remain concerned about existing and emerging nuclear security threats and committed to addressing such threats. We encourage Member States to implement threat mitigation and risk reduction measures that contribute to improving nuclear security, including, but not limited to, ensuring the protection of nuclear and other radioactive materials and facilities.”
Nuclear security is the responsibility of the governments whose nations engage in activities that require the use of nuclear materials and radioactive substances. However, the important role that the IAEA plays in facilitating and coordinating international cooperation with respect to nuclear security must be recognized.
Bogdan Aurescu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Romania and Co-President of the conference, said, “The adoption of a Declaration at ministerial level is indicative of the continuous commitment to nuclear security of IAEA Member States. It is a concise, politically driven and forward-looking document, adding value to the efforts of strengthening nuclear security worldwide.”
Federico Alfaro, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of Panama and Co-President of the conference, said “In the coming years, global stocks of nuclear material are expected to continue growing, especially as we look into emerging nuclear technologies and their role in mitigating the consequences of climate change. We cannot allow for such material to fall into the wrong hands.”
Some of the issues that will be discussed at the conference include how to ensure the security of nuclear materials from theft or sabotage during their transportation, the utilization of nuclear forensics to aid criminal investigation and emergency preparedness and response to a nuclear security emergency.