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Nuclear & Radiological Security

Terrorists are actively seeking radiological and nuclear weapons and materials to commit acts of nuclear terrorism. Since the early 1990s, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has received reports of over confirming 4390 security incidents with nuclear and radiological materials.

The Global Partnership Nuclear & Radiological Security Working Group

A single act of nuclear or radiological terrorism would have catastrophic humanitarian, political, environmental and economic consequences on a global scale.

Terrorists are known to be actively seeking weapons and materials for use in a radiological or nuclear terrorist attack. Since 1993, the IAEA has received voluntary reporting from its Member States confirming over 4390 confirmed incidents with nuclear and radiological materials. This includes over 353 incidents connected with trafficking or malicious use, and over 1065 incidents of undetermined intent. INTERPOL analysis reveals that those statistics are significantly higher due to incidents not being reported.

It is a crucial undertaking to secure radiological and nuclear materials worldwide but the capacity to prevent trafficking of radiological and nuclear materials remains inadequate. The IAEA reports that in the last decade, 65% of all thefts reported to the IAEA have occurred during the authorized transport of materials, which highlights the importance to strengthen security measures, including during transport. Furthermore, new and increasingly sophisticated threats are emerging, such as cyber threats to nuclear facilities.

Enhancing Global Nuclear & Radiological Security

THEMATIC AREAS INCLUDE:

  • Physical Protection measures at facilities housing nuclear and other radioactive material

  • Radiological source security (whole-of-life management)

  • Prevention of illicit trafficking as well as detection and response to material outside regulatory control

  • Nuclear Security Culture including training and Nuclear Security Training and Support Centres

  • International legal frameworks related to nuclear security

  • Emerging and Disruptive Technologies across the nuclear sector

  • Information and Computer Security

  • Transportation Security

  • Nuclear Forensics

  • Disposition and Conversion of nuclear materials

NRSWG Co-Chairs

Friend of the Chair

Canada

Nathalie Semblat

Nathalie.Semblat@international.gc.ca

Norway

Taras Bobrovskyi

Taras.Bobrovskyi@dsa.no

IAEA

Elena Buglova

The Nuclear and Radiological Working Group (NRSWG) is an informal working group guided by the following principles:

  • To be an effective tool for "matchmaking" - bringing together resources with identified requirements and facilitating new partnerships to deliver work in new priority areas;
  • To implement the Action Plan in support of the Global Partnership  agreed during the 2016 Nuclear Security Summit (NSS), and other relevant commitments arising from the NSS Process;
  • To complement the work of  other organizations and initiatives working in this field including but not limited to the IAEA (Working Group on Radioactive Sources Security, Nuclear Security Training and Support Centres), INTERPOL (Radiological and Nuclear Terrorism Prevention Unit), Global Forum to Prevent Radiological and Nuclear Terrorism (Global FTPRNT), Border Monitoring Working Group; and
  • To focus on implementation and facilitation of partnerships at the programmatic level on nuclear and radiological security thematic areas and priorities.

The NRSWG is also using the GP Portal and other virtual tools to support both real time and asynchronistic dialogues and to facilitate collaboration between NRSWG members.  Please visit the main page of the portal to request access. NRSWG partners also support the Information Sharing Initiative on Nuclear and Radiological Security projects in Ukraine as outlined in the Cooperative Framework agreed in October 2018 (currently under review).

NRSWG Co-Chairs

Friend of the Chair

Canada

Nathalie Semblat

Nathalie.Semblat@international.gc.ca

Norway

Taras Bobrovskyi

Taras.Bobrovskyi@dsa.no

IAEA

Elena Buglova