From March 28 – April 1, 2022, States Parties, international organizations, industry representatives and civil society stakeholders gathered in Vienna, Austria to attend the Conference of the Parties to the Amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Materials (A/CPPNM). The A/CPPNM is a critical international framework for protecting nuclear facilities and nuclear material in domestic use and storage and in domestic and international transport. The convention also strengthens global efforts to reduce the risk of nuclear terrorism by normalizing approaches to combatting criminal acts involving nuclear materials and facilities and strengthening international cooperation in managing materials out of regulatory control.
The International Nuclear Security (INSF) was well-represented at the conference through the presence of the INSF coordination team and the presence of several INSF members. INSF Director Richard Cupitt and several other INSF Members representing various Member Organizations gave statements at the official NGO session on March 29, 2022. Several INSF members also hosted side events on the margins of the Conference, engaging other civil society representatives as well as States Parties, industry representatives, and delegates from international organizations. Through these events, INSF members created a meaningful impact on a diverse range of nuclear security stakeholders during the event.
As a caveat, this resource is compiled from updates submitted to the INSF coordination team for the monthly newsletter, and may not have captured the full range of activities conducted by INSF members at the conference.
Fundación Argentina Global
- Julián Gadano delivered remarks on behalf of Fundación Argentina Global during the official Session with Non-governmental Organizations His Spanish-language presentation reviewed the implementation of criminalization provisions from a Latin American perspective. Learn more.
Center for Science and Security Studies, King’s College London
- CSSS hosted a hybrid side event on March 28, 2022, “Nuclear Security and Safeguards Considerations for Next Generation Reactors: International Approaches.” The event featured a panel of international experts explored the key safety and security considerations for small modular reactors and advanced modular reactors. Learn more.
- Christopher Hobbs delivered a statement at the official Session with Non-governmental Organizations . His presentation reviewed the prevailing situation.
The Henry L. Stimson Center
- INSF Director and Senior Fellow at the Stimson Center Richard T. Cupitt delivered a statement on behalf of the INSF at the official Session with Non-governmental Organizations. Read the statement.
- INSF and Stimson Center hosted an event on the margins of the A/CPPNM review conference. The event, “Ways Non-Governmental Organizations and Civil Society Support Global and Regional Nuclear Security” was held on March 29, 2022 and reviewed the pilot edition of the Catalogue of Civil Society Activities Strengthening Nuclear Security to examine how non-governmental organizations and civil society have contributed to nuclear security through a diverse range of topics and programs. In reflecting on these contributions, INSF Director Richard Cupitt moderated a panel discussion with Matthew Bunn (Project on Managing the Atom) and Elena Sokova (Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation) to explore how civil society-stakeholder cooperation efforts could be further improved to create a stronger, more robust global nuclear security program. Read the summary.
Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI)
- Jessica Bufford was a panelist at the CSSS side event, “Nuclear Security Considerations for Next Generation Reactors: International Approaches.”
- Scott Roecker was a panelist at the A/CPPNM side event organized by NTS and WNTI, “Global Nuclear Transportation Security: Implementation & Operational Perspectives.”
- Scott Roecker delivered an introductory statement during the official Session with Non-governmental Organizations.
- Jessica Bufford delivered remarks on behalf of NTI during the official NGO session. Her presentation examined how to build a strong and sustainable treaty regime.
- On March 30, 2022, the Nuclear Threat Initiative hosted a side event titled, “Next Steps For Ensuring A Strong And Sustainable Treaty Regime.”
- NTI organized a series of bilateral meetings to help governments fulfill their obligations under Article 14 of the A/CPPNM.
- NTI created a page with resources on the CPPNM and the 2022 Review Conference. View page.
- NTI published a news update reviewing their activities at the A/CPPNM review conference. View the article.
Nuclear Transport Solutions (NTS)
- World Nuclear Transport Institute (WNTI) and NTS co-hosted an in-person side-event, “Global Nuclear Transport Security: The A/CPPNM, Implementation & Operational Perspectives,” on March 29, 2022. The event brought together experts from government, NGOs, and industry to discuss the role and implementation of nuclear transport security under the Amended CPPNM. Secure international transport of nuclear and radiological materials is vital for the global civil nuclear industry. It is also a foundational issue within the Amended CPPNM, as the focus of the original Convention, and important for both nuclear and non-nuclear states. As technologies and threats change over time, the international community must ensure that the global transport security regime can meet current and future challenges.
- On March 30, 2022, NTS and the United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory hosted “Attracting and retaining the next generation of nuclear security professionals.” This in-person side event showcased some graduate and early career nuclear security professionals who will share their journey into the sector, experiences, and aspirations for the future. The nuclear security domain has typically been resourced by ex-police/ex-military personnel, or time-served individuals within the nuclear industry. As such, it has not typically been available for direct early-career entry. Emerging issues such as Artificial Intelligence, novel threats, and challenges and opportunities presented by advanced nuclear technology require the sector to attract newcomers from a diverse talent pool. The session included a Q&A panel with the individuals and industry leaders.
Vienna Center for Disarmament and Nonproliferation (VCDNP)
- Marianne Nari Fisher delivered remarks on behalf of VCDNP during the official Session with Non-governmental Organizations. Her presentation reviewed implementation and universalization.
- The VCDNP hosted a hybrid event, “A/CPPNM and Nuclear Security: A Conversation with Ambassador Bonnie D. Jenkins,” on March 29, 2022. Learn more.
- VCDNP published a review of their delegation’s activities at the A/CPPNM review conference. Read the piece.
World Institute for Nuclear Security (WINS)
- Lars van Dassen delivered remarks on behalf of WINS during the official Session with Non-governmental Organizations. His presentation provided a threat briefing on nuclear security and the new nuclear security paradigm. Read the statement.
- On March 31, 2022, WINS hosted a hybrid event, “Strengthening the Role of Industry in Implementing the Obligations in the A/CPPNM”. WINS presented a review of the current level of engagement of the nuclear industry in international forums for nuclear security, how the industry shares its implementation challenges, and how to move to actionable recommendations with practical examples of how the nuclear industry contributes to strengthening nuclear security at all levels. WINS also presented available tools and services for nuclear industry that could help better implement nuclear security measures to fulfill A/CPPNM obligations. Learn more.
Rhonda Evans participated in a session on “Leadership in nuclear security: Women supporting the CPPNM/A”, hosted by Argentina.
