Second Meeting of the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism Joint Statement of the Co-Chairmen
Ankara, Turkey
February 12, 2007 We remain deeply concerned by the growing risk of nuclear terrorism and determined to combat this threat. Today, many of the world's leading nations met to further cooperation to address one of the pre-eminent threats of the 21st century: the threat of nuclear terrorism. In this second meeting of the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism, we have taken important steps toward deepening our cooperation in this vital area. We are pleased with the work that has occurred thus far and look forward to expanding participation in the Initiative to include many other nations without importing any political problems into the process. Today's discussions build on the specific steps nations have taken to implement the commitments made during the first meeting of the Initiative held in Rabat, Morocco on October 30-31, 2006.
Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Morocco, Russia, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States reviewed the specific activities they intend to host during 2007-2008 as part of the Plan of Work established for the Initiative. These activities are intended to:
- Strengthen material accounting, control, and physical protection;
- Enhance civilian nuclear facility security;
- Research and develop interoperable national detection capabilities;
- Strengthen search, confiscation, and safe control capabilities;
- Prevent safe haven and the financing of nuclear terrorism;
- Strengthen criminal and civil legal frameworks;
- Improve response, investigation, and mitigation capabilities; and
- Promote information sharing among participants.
The International Atomic Energy Agency attended the meeting as an observer and shared with the participants information about its main activities planned for 2007.
Participants also reviewed the importance of developing and sharing best practices among participants that result from these activities, as well as planning scenarios to support the development of future multinational training exercises to combat nuclear terrorism for the Plan of Work.
Participants also emphasized the importance of broadening the initiative immediately following the meeting to include nations committed to combating nuclear terrorism, who endorse the Statement of Principles, and are willing to contribute to the activities of the Initiative. Participants that are hosting activities listed in the Global Initiative Plan of Work are encouraged to include new partner nations in their activities, upon receipt of their written endorsement of the Statement of Principles by the U.S. and/or Russia. Partner nations also discussed the importance of outreach to industry and the public, and welcomed statements of support for the Initiative from private sector organizations and local governments as well as their participation - as possible and/or appropriate - in expert-level activities.
Participants will meet again in Kazakhstan in June 2007 to review the progress of Global Initiative activities, to take specific steps to address gaps in implementation, and to welcome new partner nations whose endorsements have been received by the U.S. and/or Russia prior to the meeting.
Released on February 13, 2007
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