Government ministers and other high-level representatives from more than 140 countries, on Monday adopted a new declaration to enhance global nuclear security and counter the threat of nuclear terrorism.
More than 50 ministers and 2,000 experts in the field are attending the International Conference on Nuclear Security, hosted by the UN’s nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in Vienna.
From a possible cyber-attack on a nuclear power plant to the illicit trafficking of radioactive materials, nuclear
security is a growing international concern, said IAEA. The agency and its Member States have intensified their efforts
to strengthen nuclear security in recent years but agree that more action is needed.
‘Malicious intent’
“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”, said IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, at the opening of the week-long conference at IAEA headquarters, shortly before the declaration
was adopted.
Nuclear technology and science help improve the lives of millions of people around the world in areas ranging from clean
energy and cancer care to food security and pest control.
But the nuclear and radioactive materials used to produce those benefits must be secured at all times to prevent them
from falling into the wrong hands, said IAEA.
This entails preventing, detecting and responding to any malicious acts involving nuclear material or radioactive
substances.
Ministerial declaration
In the declaration, IAEA Member States reaffirmed the common goals of nuclear non-proliferation, nuclear disarmament and
the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and recognized that nuclear security contributes to international peace and
security.
“We remain concerned about existing and emerging nuclear security threats and committed to addressing such threats”, the
ministerial declaration said. “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.”
IAEA’s role
Nuclear security is a national responsibility, but the central role of the IAEA in facilitating and coordinating
international cooperation in this area was also highlighted.
“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,” said Bogdan Aurescu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Romania and Co-President
of the conference.
“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”, said Federico Alfaro,
Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of Panama and Co-President of the conference. “We cannot allow for such material to
fall into the wrong hands.”
Conference agenda
The conference addresses topics such as how to secure nuclear materials from theft or sabotage during transportation,
the use of nuclear forensics to assist in criminal investigations and emergency preparedness and response, in the event
of a nuclear security emergency.
It follows earlier IAEA nuclear security meetings held in 2013 and 2016. Since the last conference, the IAEA’s activities to strengthen nuclear security include training nearly 13,000
experts, donating radiation detection equipment to 33 countries, and providing support to 17 major public events,
including World Youth Day in Panama, which was attended by Pope Francis and the presidents of seven Latin American
countries.