Partner Nations Endorse Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism Statement of Principles

Representatives of thirteen nations endorsed the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism Statement of Principles at the Initiative's first meeting on October 30-31, 2006. Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Robert Joseph led the U.S. interagency delegation. The United States, the Russian Federation, Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Morocco, Turkey, and the United Kingdom participated in the first meeting in Rabat, Morocco. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) also attended as an observer.

Presidents Bush and Putin jointly announced the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism on July 15, 2006 on the eve of the G8 Summit in St. Petersburg, Russia. Presidents Bush and Putin have committed to combating the threat of nuclear terrorism and pursuing the necessary steps with other willing partner nations to combat nuclear terrorism.

The Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism demonstrates partner nations' commitment to build collective and individual capacity to combat the global threat of nuclear terrorism. In their endorsement of the Statement of Principles, partner nations commit to:

• improve accounting of and security on radioactive and nuclear materials; 
  
  
• enhance security at civilian nuclear facilities; 
  
  
• improve detection of nuclear and radioactive materials to prevent illicit trafficking; 
  
  
• improve capabilities to search and confiscate unlawfully held nuclear or radioactive substances or devices using them; 
  
  
• leverage response, mitigation, and investigation capabilities in case of a terrorist attack; 
  
  
• develop technical means to identify nuclear or other radioactive materials and substances that are or may be involved in a terrorist incident; 
  
  
• prevent the provision of safe haven to terrorists and financial or economic resources to terrorists seeking to acquire or use nuclear or radioactive materials; 
  
  
• improve national legal and regulatory frameworks to ensure appropriate criminal and civil liability for terrorists who commit acts of nuclear terrorism; and 
  
  
• promote greater information sharing pertaining to acts of nuclear terrorism. 

Following on the success of the first meeting, partners agreed to meet again in February of 2007 in Turkey. At this meeting, partner nations will review the progress of the Initiative, consider an initial Plan of Work, and take steps to broaden participation in the Initiative. Partner nations seek the support of all nations that are actively committed to combating nuclear terrorism and endorsement of the Statement of Principles.

With the launch of the Initiative, participating nations have taken a critical step toward developing a global network of partner nations working to prevent terrorists from acquiring and using a nuclear weapon. As a demonstration of this resolve, the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism represents an important achievement in our common mission to fight terrorism worldwide and further enhance international peace and security.

Partner nations participate in Global Initiative aims consistent with national legal authorities and obligations they have under relevant international legal frameworks, notably the Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism, the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material and its 2005 Amendment, United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1373 and 1540.

View the Transcript of Under Secretary Joseph's online question and answer session about nuclear terrorism and the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism.