Please enable JavaScript in your browser to view this site in optimal condition.
When displaying with JavaScript disabled, some functions may not be available or correct information may not be obtained.

Hiroshima for Global Peace

Hiroshima Report 2018Chapter 3. Nuclear Security1

Even today, approximately 15,000 nuclear weapons still exist in various arsenals around the worldwide. Meanwhile, the peaceful use of nuclear energy continues to expand, partly as a way to mitigate global warming and for sustainable development. Under these circumstances, securing weapons-grade fissile material – what is sometimes termed “loose-nukes” —and ensuring the safety of civil-use fissile material that may be attractive to terrorists remains a global security issue. In order to minimize these dangers, it is important that all countries undertake continuous efforts to strengthen nuclear security in line with their respective responsibilities. Also, since the Nuclear Security Summit (NSS) process ended in 2016, a new challenge confronts the world in terms of how to carry forward the outcomes and lessons learned from the summit process in order to strengthen the international nuclear security framework.

These were the subjects of particular attention in the nuclear security area in 2017. Through the NSS process from 2010 to 2016, with high-level participation of more than 50 concerned states, efforts to strengthen nuclear security in each country were reported the form of statements and documents. A number of joint proposals for strengthening nuclear security in the form of the “gift basket” method were launched and political commitments made. With the end of the NSS process, there is concern that nuclear security itself will no longer be an outstanding issue of the international community. In particular, the decline of momentum in implementing nuclear security-related measures in each country must be avoided.

Recognizing this need, a large number of experts from universities, research institutes and civil society, along with high-level officials from governments and regulatory bodies as well as practitioners, participated in the International Conference on Nuclear Materials and Nuclear Facilities organized by the IAEA in Vienna, Austria in November 2017, presenting their past nuclear security efforts and discussing technical challenges.2 This initiative was highly evaluated as progress after the end of the NSS process.

An additional issue came to the fore over the interpretation of the Amendment of the Convention of Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM Amendment), which after several years finally came into force in 2016 as a result of outreach activities through the NSS. Relatedly, questions arose operation of the CPPNM review conference.3 Furthermore, the implementation of the Ministerial Declaration4 of the second International Conference on Nuclear Security organized by the IAEA in December 2016, which was held in parallel with the NSS in Washington, was considered to be an important step in the efforts of the international community to tackle nuclear security challenges. In fact, at the 61st IAEA General Conference in 2017, several countries mentioned the importance of fulfilling the Ministerial Declaration. 5

The mandate entrusted to the IAEA is not limited to hosting international conferences on physical protection of nuclear materials and nuclear-related facilities. Today, the role that the IAEA plays in the nuclear security field is expanding further, and the presence of the IAEA is increasing, especially in the areas of nuclear security advisory services and peer reviews. 6 In fact, “nuclear security plan 2018-2021” submitted to the IAEA General Conference in 2017 clearly stated details regarding the IAEA’s nuclear security activities from 2018 to 2021 including the approaches to the information management, security of nuclear materials and facilities, nuclear security of materials out of regulatory control, and outreach activities to support member states to be carried out. With regard to the expanding nuclear security-related mission of the IAEA, the international community has come to the stage of concrete policy debate about how to construct and maintain an international nuclear security framework, including discussions on financial aspects.7 In particular, one of the areas of focus is on how to replace the NSS Sherpa meetings, which played an important role, including in setting the NSS agendas. In this connection, the nuclear security contact group, which has newly changed its presidency from Canada to Jordan,8 has been drawing attention from the international community.

As symbolized by the rise of international terrorist threats, the international community needs to keep constant vigilance regarding the emergence of new threats to nuclear security. Also, as can be seen in recent cases such as cyber threats and the spread of the drone technologies, attention must also be paid to possible new vulnerabilities introduced by technological advances. In this sense, national regulatory authorities and contractors in each state must maintain a prompt and sustainable response to these new emerging vulnerabilities.9 Although there is a premise that each country is responsible for its own nuclear security, there is also room for multilateral cooperation. Indeed, many countries hope to strengthen nuclear security through collaboration with international organizations such as the IAEA and regional organizations.

Against this backdrop, the trends of international conferences related to nuclear security, such as the 7th Review Meeting of the Contracting Parties of the Convention on Nuclear Safety (March 27-April 7, Vienna)10, the International Ministerial Conference on “Nuclear Power in the 21st Century”, organized by the IAEA (October 30-November 1, Abu Dhabi, UAE) 11 and the technical meeting of the Representatives of States Parties to the CPPNM and the CPPNM Amendment (November 9 – November 10, Vienna)12, attracted attention in 2017.

In addition to this, the IAEA reported on various nuclear security-related efforts. As outlined below by item, events related to nuclear security were held around the world from a developed country to a developing country on a wide range of topics, and efforts to improve the level of nuclear security were promoted.

  • Regarding physical protection of nuclear material
    • A regional training course on the use of Threat Based Risk—Informed Approach for Protection of Materials and Facilities (July, Niamey, Niger). 13
    • A regional workshop on Threat Assessment and Development of a Design Basis Threat (October, Accra, Ghana).14
  • Prevention of acts of sabotage
    • A regional training course on Protection and Prevention Measures against Sabotage of Nuclear Facilities (March, Lima, Peru).15
  • Nuclear security regulatory framework
    • A regional workshop to launch a Project on Enhancing National Regulatory Frameworks for Nuclear Security in Africa (April, Rabat, Morocco).16
    • An international training course on Regulations and Associated Administrative Measures for Nuclear Security (April, Vienna).17
    • A regional training course on the Development and Drafting of Regulation to Support National Nuclear Security Regimes (May, Livingston, Zambia).18
    • A regional training course on the Development and Drafting of Regulation to Support National Nuclear Security Regimes (May, Niamey, Niger).19
  • Framework of information exchange on nuclear security
    • The 13th Nuclear Security Information Exchange Meeting (April, Vienna).20
    • A regional meeting (Balkan Region) on Nuclear Security Information Exchange and Coordination (August, Tirana, Albania).21
    • The 14th Nuclear Security Information Exchange Meeting (October, Vienna).22
    • A subregional meeting on Nuclear Security Information Exchange and Coordination (October, Manama, Bahrain).23
    • A regional meeting on Nuclear Security Information Exchange and Coordination (November, Mexico City, Mexico).24
  • Effort to combat illegal transfer
    • An international coordination meeting on Developing a Defense in Depth Approach for the Detection of Illicit Movement of Nuclear Radioactive Material out of Regulatory Control (April, San Jose, Costa Rica).25
    • An international training course of New and Prospective Points of Contact for the Incident and Trafficking Database (ITDB) (July, Vienna).26
    • Computer security related to prevention of nuclear terrorism
    • A regional workshop on the Development of National Training Program for Advanced Topics in Computer Security (july, Hanoi, Vietnam).27
    • A regional training course on Conducting Computer Security Assessments at Nuclear and Other Radioactive Material Facilities (September, Helsinki, Finland).28
    • A regional training course on Information and Computer Security for Awareness for Nuclear Security Regimes (September, Rabat, Morocco).29
  • International Nuclear Security Review Missions by the IAEA
    • A Technical Meeting to Assess the Overall Structure, Effectiveness and Efficiency of Peer Review and Advisory Services in the Areas of Nuclear Safety and Security (August, Vienna).30
    • An international workshop on the International Physical Protection Advisory Service (IPPAS) for Potential Team Members of Future IPPAS Missions (October, Vienna).31
  • International capacity-building support for nuclear security
    • A regional Train the Trainers Course on the Development of Nuclear Security Training and Support Center Capabilities in Nuclear Security Detection (September, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia).32
  • International efforts to promote nuclear security culture
    • A regional workshop on Nuclear Security Culture in Practice (September, Rabat, Morocco).33
  • Other nuclear security related events
    • The 29th meeting of the Advisory Group on Nuclear Security (April, Vienna).34
    • An international workshop on the Essential Elements of Nuclear Security (May, Argome, U.S.).35
    • The first plenary meeting of the International Project on Demonstration of the Operational and Long-Term Safety of Geological Disposal Facilities for Radioactive Waste (May, Vienna).36
    • A domestic workshop on Emergency Preparedness and Response for Japan (July, Fukushima, Japan).37
    • A regional training course on Threat Assessment and a Risk Informed Approach for Nuclear and Other Radioactive Material out of Regulatory Control (July, Asuncion, Paraguay).38
    • A regional workshop on Security in Practice for the Uranium Ore Concentrate Industry Including during Transport (July, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo).39
    • An international training course on Nuclear Material Accounting and Control for Nuclear Security at Facilities (August, Vienna).40
    • A regional workshop on Developing and Implementing Nuclear Security Systems and Measures for Major Public Events (August, Tokai, Japan).41
    • A regional workshop on Developing a Road Map for Building a Nuclear Security Detection Architecture for Material out of Regulatory Control (September, Ouagadougon, Burkina Faso).42
    • An international training course on the Development of a Nuclear Security Regime for Member States with Nuclear Power Program (September, St. Petersburg, Russia).43
    • A regional coordination meeting on Nuclear Security Implementation Strategy in Latin America and the Caribbean (October, Montevideo, Uruguay).44
    • An international training course on Regulations and Associated Administrative Measures for Nuclear Security (October, Cairo, Egypt).45
    • A regional training course on Nuclear Security in Practice: Field training for University Students (October, Obninsuk, Russia).46
    • A regional training course on Development of a Nuclear Security Detection Architecture Design Plan (November, Vienna).47
    • A regional workshop and tabletop exercise on Management of the Response to a Nuclear Security Event at a Nuclear Power Plant (December, Vienna).48
  • Nuclear safety and security interface
    • A technical meeting to review and Revise IAEA Safety Guides and Related Reports on Leadership Management for Safety and Safety Culture (July, Vienna).49
    • An international workshop on Nuclear Security Measures and Emergency Response Arrangements for Ports (November, Las Vegas, USA).50
    • The 12th meeting of the Nuclear Security Guidance Committee (November, Vienna).51
    • The 11th meeting of the Steering Committee of the Global Nuclear Safety and Security (GNSSN) Network (November, Vienna).52
    • A technical meeting to evaluate the ConvEx-3 (2017)53 Exercise (December, Vienna).54

As described above, even though the NSS process came to an end in 2016, a number of nuclear securityrelated events, especially the IAEA conference, were implemented and various steps related to strengthening the nuclear security system were somehow maintained in many countries. From the viewpoint of strengthening sustainable nuclear security, such steady efforts should receive appropriate appraisals. With this regard, in contrast to the former U.S. President Barack Obama, who led the nuclear security summit process, international community’s attention gathered the new nuclear security policy of the U.S. Trump administration. However, so far no announcement has been made that will change a major policy in the field of nuclear security.

In view of the factors mentioned above, this report surveys the following items to evaluate the implementation of nuclear security-related measures of each country. In order to assess the nuclear security risks of each country, this report considers: indicators of the presence of nuclear material that may be “attractive” for malicious intent, facilities that produce such material, and related activities. It also examines the accession status to nuclear security-related international conventions, the implementation status of existing nuclear security measures and proposals to enhance them, and official statements related to nuclear security approaches, in order to evaluate the nuclear security performance and status of each county.


[1] This chapter is written by Sukeyuki Ichimasa.

[2] “International Conference on Physical Protection of Nuclear Material and Nuclear Facilities,” IAEA website, November13–17, 2017, https://www.iaea.org/events/physical-protection-of-nuclear-material-conference-2017/programme.

[3] Kenneth C. Brill and John H. Bernhard, “Preventing Nuclear Terrorism: Next Steps in Building a Better Nuclear Security Regime,” Arms Control Today, Vol.47, No.8, October 2017, pp. 6-11.

[4] “Ministerial Declaration, International Conference on Nuclear Security: Commitments and Actions,” December 5-9, 2016, https://www.iaea.org/sites/default/files/16/12/english_ministerial_declaration.pdf.

[5] 2017 IAEA General Conference Remarks as Prepared for Delivery Secretary Rick Perry, https://www.iaea.org/sites/default/files/gc61-usa-statement.pdf.; Australian National Statement by Ambassador Brendon Hammer, Governor and Permanent Representative to the IAEA, 61st Regular Session of the IAEA General Conference, September 2017, https://www.iaea.org/sites/default/files/gc61-australia-statement.pdf.

[6] “Nuclear Security after the Summits,” Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation, October 18, 2016, http://vcdnp.org/nuclear-security-after-the-summits/.

[7] “Director General’s Statement to Sixty-First Regular Session of IAEA General Conference,” IAEA website, September 18, 2017, https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/statements/statement-to-sixty-first-regular-session-of-iaea-generalconference-2017.

[8] Canadian Statement at the IAEA 61th General Conference, https://www.iaea.org/sites/default/files/gc61-canadastatement.pdf.

[9] Matthew Bunn, Martin B. Malin, Nickolas Roth and William H. Tobey, “Project on Managing the Atom: Preventing Nuclear Terrorism Continuous Improvement or Dangerous Decline?” Harvard Kennedy School Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, March 2016, p. i.

[10] Convention on Nuclear Safety: 7th Review Meeting of the Contracting Parties, March 27-April 7, 2017, http://wwwpub.iaea.org/iaeameetings/49023/Convention-on-Nuclear-Safety-7th-Review-Meeting-of-the-Contracting-Parties.

[11] Nuclear Power in the 21st Century—International Ministerial Conference, October 30-November 1, 2017, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, https://www.iaea.org/events/nuclear-power-conference-2017/statements.

[12] Technical Meeting of the Representatives of States Parties to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM) and the CPPNM Amendment, November 9-10, 2017, https://www.iaea.org/events/technical-meetingof-the-representatives-of-states-parties-to-the-convention-on-the-physical-protection-of-nuclear-material-cppnm-andthe-cppnm-amendment.

[13] Regional Training Course on the use of Threat Based Risk-Informed Approach for Protection of Materials and Facilities, July 24-27, 2017, https://www.iaea.org/events/regional-training-course-on-the-use-of-threat-based-riskinformed-approach-for-protection-of-materials-and-facilities-0.

[14] Regional Workshop on Threat Assessment and Development of a Design Basis Threat, October 2-5, 2017, https://www.iaea.org/events/regional-workshop-on-threat-assessment-and-development-of-a-design-basis-threat.

[15] Regional Training Course on Protection and Prevention Measures against Sabotage of Nuclear Facilities, March 31, 2017, https://www.iaea.org/events/regional-training-course-on-protection-and-prevention-measures-against-sabotageof-nuclear-facilities-0.

[16] Regional Workshop to Launch a Project on Enhancing National Regulatory Frameworks for Nuclear Security in Africa, April 3-7, 2017, https://www.iaea.org/events/regional-workshop-to-launch-a-project-on-enhancing-nationalregulatory-frameworks-for-nuclear-security-in-africa.

[17] International Training Course on Regulations and Associated Administrative Measures for Nuclear Security, April 17-20, 2017, https://www.iaea.org/events/international-training-course-on-regulations-and-associated-administrativemeasures-for-nuclear-security.

[18] Regional Training Course on the Development and Drafting of Regulations to Support National Nuclear Security Regimes, May 8-10, 2017, https://www.iaea.org/events/regional-training-course-on-the-development-and-drafting-ofregulations-to-support-national-nuclear-security-regimes.

[19] Regional Training Course on the Development and Drafting of Regulations to Support National Nuclear Security Regimes, May 22-26, 2017, https://www.iaea.org/events/regional-training-course-on-the-development-and-drafting-ofregulations-to-support-national-nuclear-security-regimes-0.

[20] 13th Nuclear Security Information Exchange Meeting, April 6-7, 2017, https://www.iaea.org/events/13th-nuclearsecurity-information-exchange-meeting.

[21] Regional Meeting on Nuclear Security Information Exchange and Coordination (Balkan Region), August 28-31, 2017, https://www.iaea.org/events/regional-meeting-on-nuclear-security-information-exchange-and-coordination-balkanregion.

[22] 14th Nuclear Security Information Exchange Meeting, October 12, 2017, https://www.iaea.org/events/14th-nuclearsecurity-information-exchange-meeting.

[23] Subregional Meeting on Nuclear Security Information Exchange and Coordination, October 24-26, 2017, https://www.iaea.org/events/subregional-meeting-on-nuclear-security-information-exchange-and-coordination.

[24] Regional Meeting on Nuclear Security Information Exchange and Coordination, November 14-16, 2017, https://www.iaea.org/events/regional-meeting-on-nuclear-security-information-exchange-and-coordination-0.

[25] International Coordination Meeting on Developing a Defence in Depth Approach for the Detection of Illicit Movement of Nuclear and Radioactive Material out of Regulatory Control, April 24-28, 2017, https://www.iaea.org/events/international-coordination-meeting-on-developing-a-defence-in-depth-approach-for-the-detection-of-illicitmovement-of-nuclear-and-radioactive-material-out-of-regulatory-control.

[26] International Training Course of New and Prospective Points of Contact for the Incident and Trafficking Database (ITDB), July 24-28, 2017, https://www.iaea.org/events/international-training-course-of-new-and-prospective-points-ofcontact-for-the-incident-and-trafficking-database-itdb.

[27] Regional Workshop on the Development of National Training Programme for Advanced Topics in Computer Security, July 10-14, 2017, https://www.iaea.org/events/regional-workshop-on-the-development-of-national-training-programmefor-advanced-topics-in-computer-security.

[28] Regional Training Course on Conducting Computer Security Assessments at Nuclear and Other Radioactive Material Facilities, September 4-8, 2017, https://www.iaea.org/events/regional-training-course-on-conducting-computer-securityassessments-at-nuclear-and-other-radioactive-material-facilities.

[29] Regional Training Course on Information and Computer Security Awareness for Nuclear Security Regimes,

September 11-15, 2017, https://www.iaea.org/events/regional-training-course-on-information-and-computer-securityawareness-for-nuclear-security-regimes.

[30] Technical Meeting to Assess the Overall Structure, Effectiveness and Efficiency of Peer Review and Advisory

Services in the Areas of Nuclear Safety and Security, August 30-31, 2017, http://www.ursjv.gov.si/fileadmin/ujv.gov.si/pageuploads/Info_sredisce/Tecaji_konference_seminarji/tecaji_MAAE/Peer_Review_2017_InfoSheet.pdf.

[31] International Workshop on the International Physical Protection Advisory Service (IPPAS) for Potential Team Members of Future IPPAS Missions, October 23-27, 2017, https://www.iaea.org/events/international-workshop-on-theinternational-physical-protection-advisory-service-ippas-for-potential-team-members-of-future-ippas-missions.

[32] Regional Train the Trainers Course on the Development of Nuclear Security Training and Support Centre Capabilities in Nuclear Security Detection, September 4-8, 2017, https://www.iaea.org/events/regional-train-the-trainers-course-onthe-development-of-nuclear-security-training-and-support-centre-capabilities-in-nuclear-security-detection.

[33] Regional Workshop on Nuclear Security Culture in Practice, September 11-14, 2017, https://www.iaea.org/events/regional-workshop-on-nuclear-security-culture-in-practice.

[34] 29th Meeting of the Advisory Group on Nuclear Security, April 18-21, 2017, https://www.iaea.org/events/29thmeeting-of-the-advisory-group-on-nuclear-security.

[35] International Workshop on the Essential Elements of Nuclear Security, May 15-26, 2017, https://www.iaea.org/events/international-workshop-on-the-essential-elements-of-nuclear-security.

[36] First Plenary Meeting of the International Project on Demonstration of the Operational and Long-Term Safety of Geological Disposal Facilities for Radioactive Waste, May 22-26, 2017, https://www.iaea.org/events/first-plenarymeeting-of-the-international-project-on-demonstration-of-the-operational-and-long-term-safety-of-geological-disposalfacilities-for-radioactive-waste.

[37] Domestic Workshop on Emergency Preparedness and Response for Japan, July 18-21, 2017, https://www.iaea.org/events/domestic-workshop-on-emergency-preparedness-and-response-for-japan.

[38] Regional Training Course on Threat Assessment and a Risk Informed Approach for Nuclear and Other Radioactive Material out of Regulatory Control, July 24-28, 2017, https://www.iaea.org/events/regional-training-course-on-threatassessment-and-a-risk-informed-approach-for-nuclear-and-other-radioactive-material-out-of-regulatory-control.

[39] Regional Workshop on Security in Practice for the Uranium Ore Concentrate Industry Including during Transport, July 24-28, 2017, https://www.iaea.org/events/regional-workshop-on-security-in-practice-for-the-uranium-oreconcentrate-industry-including-during-transport.

[40] International Training Course on Nuclear Material Accounting and Control for Nuclear Security at Facilities, August, 21-25, 2017, https://www.iaea.org/events/international-training-course-on-nuclear-material-accounting-and-control-fornuclear-security-at-facilities.

[41] Regional Workshop on Developing and Implementing Nuclear Security Systems and Measures for Major

Public Events, August 28-September 1, 2017, https://www.iaea.org/events/regional-workshop-on-developing-andimplementing-nuclear-security-systems-and-measures-for-major-public-events.

[42] Regional Workshop on Developing a Road Map for Building a Nuclear Security Detection Architecture for Material out of Regulatory Control, September 11-15, 2017, https://www.iaea.org/events/regional-workshop-on-developing-a-roadmap-for-building-a-nuclear-security-detection-architecture-for-material-out-of-regulatory-control.

[43] International Training Course on the Development of a Nuclear Security Regime for Member States with Nuclear Power Programme, September 25-29, 2017, https://www.iaea.org/events/international-training-course-on-thedevelopment-of-a-nuclear-security-regime-for-member-states-with-nuclear-power-programme.

[44] Regional Coordination Meeting on Nuclear Security Implementation Strategy in Latin America and the Caribbean, October 2-4, 2017, https://www.iaea.org/events/regional-coordination-meeting-on-nuclear-security-implementationstrategy-in-latin-america-and-the-caribbean.

[45] International Training Course on Regulations and Associated Administrative Measures for Nuclear Security, October 16-19, 2017, https://www.iaea.org/events/international-training-course-on-regulations-and-associated-administrativemeasures-for-nuclear-security-0.

[46] Regional Training Course on Nuclear Security in Practice: Field Training for University Students, October 16-27, 2017, https://www.iaea.org/events/regional-training-course-on-nuclear-security-in-practice-field-training-for-universitystudents.

[47] Regional Training Course on Development of a Nuclear Security Detection Architecture Design Plan, November 13-17, 2017, https://www.iaea.org/events/regional-training-course-on-development-of-a-nuclear-security-detectionarchitecture-design-plan.

[48] Regional Workshop and Tabletop Exercise on Management of the Response to a Nuclear Security Event at a

Nuclear Power Plant, December 4-8, 2017, https://www.iaea.org/events/regional-workshop-and-tabletop-exercise-onmanagement-of-the-response-to-a-nuclear-security-event-at-a-nuclear-power-plant.

[49] Technical Meeting to Review and Revise IAEA Safety Guides and Related Reports on Leadership Management for Safety and Safety Culture, July 10-12, 2017, https://www.iaea.org/events/technical-meeting-to-review-and-revise-iaeasafety-guides-and-related-reports-on-leadership-management-for-safety-and-safety-culture.

[50] International Workshop on Nuclear Security Measures and Emergency Response Arrangements for Ports, November 6-10, 2017, https://www.iaea.org/events/international-workshop-on-nuclear-security-measures-and-emergencyresponse-arrangements-for-ports.

[51] Twelfth Meeting of the Nuclear Security Guidance Committee, November 27-30, 2017, https://www.iaea.org/events/twelfth-meeting-of-the-nuclear-security-guidance-committee.

[52] GNSSN: 11th Meeting of the Steering Committee of the Global Nuclear Safety and Security Network, December 11- 12, 2017, https://www.iaea.org/events/gnssn-11th-meeting-of-the-steering-committee-of-the-global-nuclear-safety-andsecurity-network.

[53] Technical Meeting to Evaluate the ConvEx-3 (2017) Exercise, December 18-19, 2017, https://www.iaea.org/events/technical-meeting-to-evaluate-the-convex-3-2017-exercise.

[54] “ConvEx-3 exercise in Hungary,” Hungarian Atomic Energy Authority website, June 21, 2017, http://www.oah.hu/web/v3/HAEAPortal.nsf/web?OpenAgent&article=news&uid=38478E6895D11956C1258146004DD488.

< BackNext >

 

Top