Expanding the IAEA’s nuclear security mandate

Abstract

Expansion of civilian nuclear power means that greater international cooperation is required to ensure that terrorist groups do not acquire nuclear and radiological materials. The global nuclear security regime urgently needs to be strengthened; the authors write that boosting the role of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is the best place to start. The IAEA established a nuclear security program in 2002. Recently, this programÕs successes, including helping states repatriate highly enriched uranium to Russia and the United States, have prompted more national interest in the IAEAÕs nuclear security assistance missions and led to more requests for advisory and evaluation services. If given the authority, the IAEA could verify the continuous level of nuclear security of member states and assess and coordinate the implementation of any actions that need to be taken. The authors write that the problem of the IAEAÕs limited authority is tied to fundamental debates in the international community over how to deal with threats in a globalized world. Resources need to be pooled; expertise needs to be shared and centralized; and common standards need to be set, monitored, and enforced in the interests of a safer world. But not all states are convinced of this, and some are suspicious that states advocating global governance are using their power to dominate the global security agenda. The authors explore the expansion of the IAEAÕs mandate and ask the pivotal question confronting the international community: How can states build consensus on the need to prioritize nuclear security?

The Threat of Nuclear Terrorism Requires Concerted Action

“…10 The Physical Protection of Nuclear Material and Nuclear Facilities (INFCIRC/ 225) has been established to take effective physical protection measures. 11 It provides 'principles for securing loose nuclear materials and in turn preventing nuclear terrorism'. 12 Similarly, the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material and Nuclear Facilities, which entered into force in February 1987 and now has 148 state parties and 44 signatories, requires states to implement measures to prevent theft, diversion or sabotage of nuclear material while being transported internationally.…”

“…18 The programme is meant to assist countries in their efforts against the spread of weapons and materials of mass destruction, starting with Russia. 19 The Global Partnership, which started with G-8 members, has expanded in a short time. Other industrialised countries such as Japan, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands and Finland also joined the partnership the following year.…”

“…Yet there are still several significant states that do not want to join because of concerns relating to 'the legitimacy of US-led interdiction activities that operate outside the UN framework'. 25 Finally, there is the World Institute for Nuclear Security (WINS) that was set up in 2008. Its aim is to provide an international platform for nuclear security experts to meet and discuss how to implement best feasible practices in this area.…”

Expanding the IAEA’s nuclear security mandate

“…As a result, the global nuclear security regime is far from comprehensive and urgently needs to be strengthened (Boureston and Ogilvie-White, 2010). Expanding the role and mandate of the IAEA would offer significant and immediate benefits, with the smallest practical hurdles to implementation.…”