PONI Conference Spring 2012

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British Embassy Washington

Ministry of Defence

The United Kingdom Efforts on Global Nuclear Threat Reduction PONI Summer Conference 27th - 28th June 2012 Craig Andrew British Embassy, Washington D.C.

Global Nuclear Threat Reduction Ministry of Defence

British Embassy Washington

• As long as nuclear weapons exist they will always be a threat to global security • A successful attack would be catastrophic with farreaching human, economic, political and environmental consequences

• Being a nuclear weapons state, the UK has the responsibility to make sure that this does not happen • Together with our allies we aim to make sure that the secrets of these weapons stay safe and out of the hands of terrorists

Counter Proliferation Strategy 2012-2015 Ministry of Defence

British Embassy Washington

Objectives 1. 2. 3.

Denying access to nuclear materials and expertise by terrorists; Preventing acquisition by states of nuclear materials and expertise, along with their means of delivery; Supporting, strengthening and extending the rules-based international system of counter proliferation treaties, regimes and organisations that underpins global security and prosperity.

Focus • •

• •

States which may have vulnerabilities in the security of their nuclear information and materials; States which may have the capability or intent to develop nuclear weapons; States which may actively or inadvertently supply or transit nuclear weapons or material; Partners and multilateral organisations with whom we can affect change, including the UN, G8, NATO and the EU.

Ministry of Defence

Global Threat Reduction Programme (GTRP)

British Embassy Washington

• A major part of the UK’s contribution to global nuclear security • Delivers the UK’s contribution to the G8 Global Partnership against the spread of weapons and materials of mass destruction (committed up to $750 million)

• From 2002 - 2012 majority of efforts have been focused on the former Soviet Union – Cold War legacy projects under the Global Partnership • Programmes now focus on improving the security of fissile materials, in line with UK priorities

GTRP - Current Programme Ministry of Defence

British Embassy Washington

Current UK Global Threat Reduction Nuclear and Radiological Security Programmes include:

• Physical Protection projects in Russia and the former Soviet Union • Centralised store for Highly Active Spent Sources in Ukraine (with EU) • Collaboration with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Office of Nuclear Security, including nuclear security best practice workshop • Cooperation with US DOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) programmes

US / UK Cooperation Ministry of Defence

British Embassy Washington

• Recently announced new $3.5 million contribution to NNSA’s Global Threat Reduction Initiative (GTRI)

• This new funding is to support: – Nuclear and radiological security work in Uzbekistan – Radiological security upgrades in Belarus – Radiological security training programs for Afghanistan

• To date, £26 million provided to NNSA to help fun nonproliferation efforts around the world (of which $13.2 million to US GTRI)

International Initiatives Ministry of Defence

British Embassy Washington

There are a range of conventions and treaties on the security of nuclear material and counter proliferation that the UK contributes: – – – –

Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Nuclear Security Summit International Convention on the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism (ICSANT) – Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism (GICNT) – Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) – Convention on Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM) and 2005 Amendment

– Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI)

Information Security Ministry of Defence



Nuclear Information Security is a top UK Priority



This means preventing non-state actors from obtaining any information, knowledge or expertise needed to acquire nuclear material, turn it into a device, transport and deploy it



The UK hopes to increase information security by encouraging nations to support and collaborate with the IAEA, other key international organisations and partner nations in an effort to: – – – –



Enhance cyber security measures Develop national procedures and guidance Raise awareness by engaging with and training staff Ensure nuclear industry staff are vetted to a high standard Protect against the ‘insider threat’

British Embassy Washington

Additional Activities Ministry of Defence

British Embassy Washington

• Have the capability to diagnose, render safe, characterise and dispose of a nuclear threat device • UK opening new Nuclear Forensics Laboratory which will contribute towards the ability to: www.ornl.gov/info/ornlreview/v44_1_11

– Recover traditional forensics evidence from radiologically contaminated items – Identify unique chemical and physical ‘fingerprints’ – Rule out use of UK material – Trace the source of nuclear and radiological materials – Encourage states to keep effective control over their nuclear materials

Forward Look Ministry of Defence

British Embassy Washington

• Disrupt proliferation networks through helping others to enforce sanctions and export regimes more rigorously • Encourage more binding international agreements • Continue collaboration efforts on physical nuclear security projects • Encourage nations to develop and strengthen nuclear information security • Continue to fund and support international initiatives on global treat reduction projects • Promote the peaceful uses of nuclear energy