Arms Control and Disarmament projects

Illicit trafficking of nuclear and other radioactive material
 

Funder

UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (SPF 56)

Project updates

  • 30/09/2010: Project start date.
  • 06/02/2011: First workshop held in Vienna, Austria.
  • 14/07/2011: Workshop report from first meeting completed.
  • 13/07/2011: Drafting of report commenced.
  • 22/12/2011: Draft report released to project partners for comment. 
  • 22/03/2012: Second workshop held in London.
  • 12/04/2012: Second workshop report released to project partners.
  • 08/05/2012: Final report 'Illicit Trafficking of Nuclear and other Radioactive Material: The Legislative Response' published.
  • 08/05/2012: Report to funder submitted. Project scheduled for archival.

Background

The trafficking of nuclear or other radioactive material is considered by many to be an emerging but concrete threat to international peace and security. In 2007, an international conference convened by the IAEA established broad consensus that ‘terrorist groups have the intention of attempting to acquire and use nuclear or radioactive material for malicious acts’. Further, the conference found a ‘strong sense that the possibility of an attempt is real’. At present, the international legal regime governing the illicit trafficking of nuclear and other radioactive material is contained in several instruments.

These instruments include, but are not limited to:

  • The 2005 International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism;
  • The 1979 Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material;
  • UN Security Council Resolution 1540;
  • The IAEA Code of Conduct for the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources; and
  • IAEA Safeguards Agreements and associated export controls.

This project aims to develop a joined-up and sustainable legal strategy, on the international level, to combat the illicit trafficking of nuclear and other radioactive material.

Key activities

  • First workshop (February 2011);
  • Workshop report (July 2011);
  • A VERTIC draft report on the legal framework addressing illicit trafficking (December 2011);
  • Second workshop (March 2012); 
  • Second workshop report (April 2012); and
  • Release of final report on the legal framework addressing illicit trafficking (May 2012).

Resources

 

'Illicit Trafficking of Nuclear and other Radioactive Material: The Legislative Response'