International Programs | National Nuclear Security Administration

NNSA prepares for nuclear and radiological emergencies across the globe.  We use a multi-tiered approach to strengthen worldwide emergency preparedness, while developing capabilities to respond to international nuclear events, including international engagement, building international emergency management systems, conducting international exercises, and working with a variety of international partners. 

International Engagement

NNSA engages the international community by working with more than 60 foreign governments and 10 international organizations, plus several regional organizations, to improve nuclear emergency management systems worldwide.  It is providing direct emergency management assistance to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA), Argentina, Armenia, Brazil, China, Georgia, Iraq, Japan, Mexico, Russia, South Korea, and Taiwan.  New initiatives are under development with India, Libya, and Pakistan. 

NNSA also participates and collaborates with international organizations (IAEA, NEA, Food and Agriculture Organization, World Health Organization, World Meteorological Organization, International Maritime Organization,  European Union, NATO, G8, the United Nations Environmental Programs, the United Nations Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs, The United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation and the Arctic Council), under assistance and cooperation agreements to provide effective early warning and notification and consistent emergency plans and procedures worldwide. 

NNSA sponsors cooperation and projects aimed at harmonizing differences between worldwide emergency plans, procedures, systems and capabilities.

Building International Emergency Management Systems

NNSA helps nations develop the core elements of an emergency response program.  Based on preliminary discussions with counterparts, NNSA develops emergency management programs with partner nations to exchange views and enhance development of effective emergency management systems.  Generally, NNSA will assist foreign governments and international organizations with integration of emergency-program core elements, including communications systems, networks and training, development and implementation of procedures and policy for response, training of advisory personnel, readiness assurance, and development and implementation of exercise evaluation and appraisal programs. NNSA provides technical assistance and training assistance tailored to specific needs and requests.

International Exercises

NNSA provides assistance in developing and conducting emergency drills and exercises.  Exercises provide a valuable test of emergency management systems that yields results and “lessons learned” necessary for continued improvements to emergency preparedness and response programs.  Results from drills, exercises, and evaluation programs are used to develop and improve training programs and emergency plans and procedures to ensure the effectiveness of emergency management systems.  These exercises not only demonstrate the effectiveness of plans and procedures, training and equipment and adequacy of response arrangements and resources, they also provide a method to assess capabilities of response personnel in performing their assigned tasks, the ability of individuals and organizations to work together and a forum for exploring and testing revisions, modifications, new and/or proposed changes to any emergency program element in near realistic situations.

International Partners

There are currently ongoing collaborative projects with over 60 foreign governments and 10 international organizations.  These collaborative projects range from providing assistance to foreign governments in improving their emergency preparedness and response programs, to joint collaborative activities to improve emergency management infrastructure worldwide.  Click here for a country and international organization identification map.