الفهرس

‮Achieving nuclear security and anti-terrorism action

as responsability of the International

Community

Mr. Tomihiro Taniguchi*

Your Excellency, Ladies and Gentlemen:

It is a great pleasure for the International Atomic Energy Agency to have the opportunity to participate in this International Conference, and on behalf of the Director General Mohammed ElBaradei, I would like to express sincere appreciation to the sponsors and participants of this important event.

Introduction

I would like first to support and congratulate the sponsors of this conference on the breadth and scope of this ambitious agenda. I say this because understanding the origins of terrorism as well as challenging the stereotypes that foster it and recognizing the need for a meaningful dialogue among cultures and civilizations are fundamental precepts to even the idea of formulating a meaningful response to the worldwide threat that terrorism presents.

As you have already discussed, terrorism has long been a threat to international stability and security. However, since the events of September 11, 2001, the threat of nuclear terrorism has been at the center of the international security agenda. We are no longer protected by the myrrh that radioactive material is self-protecting. And efforts to keep nuclear weapons and nuclear and other radioactive materials out of the hands of terrorists and other international criminals have worked to keep pace with increasing dangers and public concerns.

All States must be involved in international efforts for keeping the work secure, safe and peaceful. And we have made great progress in increasing awareness of the importance of nuclear security in the broad context of peace and sustainable development.

More specifically, we have encouraged States’ responsibilities and participation in the enhancement of international nuclear security through the development – at their request and with them- of Integrated Nuclear Security Support Plans; that provide a blueprint of all of a State’s nuclear security work that needs to be accomplished; in strengthening physical protection through guidance and assistance in formulating national strategies and action plans.

Nuclear Security Plan 2006-2009

IAEA’s activities in the area of nuclear security date back to the 1970’s when it began providing ad hoc training courses in physical protection and related guidance materials. In the 1990’s Illicit Trafficking Data Base was also established. But it became clear after September 11, 2001 that much more needed to be done to protect nuclear and other radioactive material from malicious acts.

Then, in March of 2002, the Agency embarked on its first comprehensive Nuclear Security Plan to combat the risk of nuclear terrorism-and again, in 2005, updated this Plan for the years 2006-2009.

This current Nuclear Security Plan covers three areas:

• Needs assessment, analysis and coordination;

• Prevention: of nuclear terrorism and malicious acts;

• Detection of and Response to malicious acts involving nuclear and other radioactive material

The area Prevention, aims at supporting sustainable capacity building in IAEA Member States to meet the threat of nuclear terrorism and of other criminal activities involving nuclear and other radioactive substances. Core activities include an effective accounting registry and physical protection.

Should prevention fail, it is important to have Detection and Response. Within this area, activities are performed to help establish enhanced capabilities at border crossings and elsewhere to detect smuggling of nuclear and other radioactive substances. The IAEA can also help with the provision of expertise and instruments and support at major public events. We have done this for the 2004 Olympics, and then for the Football World Cup, the Pan American Games in Brazil, the Asian Games in Qatar and we are currently consulting with the China about next year’s Olympics

International Framework

Today, we work from a considerably stronger legal platform than we had in 2002 to support the actions of States and the Agency.

First, the Nuclear Terrorism Convention entered into force this year. It obligates States Parties to make every effort to adopt appropriate measures to ensure the protection of radioactive material, taking into account relevant recommendations and functions of the IAEA.

In addition, the State Parties to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Materials have agreed in 2005 to amend and considerably strengthen the Convention by expanding its scope to protect nuclear material and facilities in peaceful domestic use and storage, as well as in transport. The convention has 130 parties, but the ratification of the Amendment is slow.

Also, Security Council Resolution 1540 requires, among other things, that all States develop and maintain appropriate physical protection and effective border controls and law enforcement to deter, prevent, detect and combat the illicit trafficking and brokering in nuclear material. And the non-binding Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources has 90 States who have declared their commitment to implement the code.

In their totality, these instruments contain obligations for States ranging from prevention, detection and response and to the mitigation of consequences of actions of nuclear terrorism. This is a fundamental challenge to the international community: to implement these instruments in a comprehensive and effective manner. The IAEA is there to develop, with Member States, and publish internationally accepted guidance on nuclear security and to provide a variety of advisory and review services to States. We must recognize that the subject is of global relevance, not only for a limited number of countries or a single region.

Capacity building is given high priority in the implementation of the IAEA Nuclear Security Plan for 2006-2009. Human resource development; with education and training is the most important implementation tools and one that contributes directly to sustainability. Since 2003, about 200 training events have been carried out with more than 4,000 participants from more than 120 countries by the IAEA.

We are also facilitating the establishment of national nuclear sevurity support centres in Africa, the Middle East, Greece, India and have already been involved in the establishment of such centres in China, Pakistan and the Russian Federation. The goal is to have a network of these centres to offer education and training periodically and predictably.

Technical support and equipment upgrades are provided to countries where the needs assessment has indicated an urgent need. Physical protection improvements have been initiated at 16 nuclear facilities in 9 countries, and increase security for high active sources in 12 States. We have delivered a total of 1500 pieces of detection equipment to 43 States, all tested by our Nuclear Security Equipment Laboratory of the IAEA. All activities are performed with due consideration to maintaining confidentiality of sensitive information.

The cost of activities carried out by the Agency in the nuclear security area during 2006 was approximately 20 million USD. The Agency’ programmes and activities in this area are funded almost entirely from extra-budgetary funds through the Nuclear Security Fund. In addition, significant in-kind contributions are received from Member States.

We are together mutually enhancing in a complementary, non-duplicative and synergistic way the fight against nuclear terrorism; and our activities attitudes and willingness to work together should contribute to the goal.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the threat of nuclear terrorism is real. Maintaining nuclear security is the responsibility of each State using nuclear technology. However in light of trans-border and global aspects intrinsic to nuclear terrorism there is an increasing need of enhancing international cooperation and global nuclear security regime. I hope I have conveyed to you a sense of the efforts of the International Atomic Energy Agency in addressing this challenges. In committing ourselves with the fight against nuclear terrorism we are mindful always of our connection to a greater picture of which all of us present here are included. And as we fulfill our overall mission to protect against nuclear terrorism, we know how much depends on how well we perform on a day-to-day basis in our international cooperation.

IAEA stands ready to provide assistance to States in combating nuclear terrorism and in implementing their international obligations for the establishment of safer, more secure and peaceful World.

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(*) Deputy Director General Head of the Department of Nuclear Safetyand SecurityInternational

Atomic Energy Agency

منشورات المنظمة الإسلامية للتربية والعلوم والثقافة ـ إيسيسكو ـ 1429هـ/2008م