Nuclear Security News and Member Updates Roundup, September 2023

Dear Friend,

As the International Atomic Energy Agency’s General Conference took place this month with no let-up in the tension surrounding Ukraine’s occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, it is heartening to see headlines about important nuclear security efforts that continue such as the U.S.-Japan Nuclear Security Working Group the IAEA’s100^th International Physical Protection Advisory Service (IPPAS) mission in Zambia. The newsletter includes many other examples of ongoing work on a number of fronts to reinforce global norms, not least of which are the efforts of the members of this forum. Wishing everyone a productive month ahead.

Christina

Director, International Nuclear Security Forum

Join the conversation on Twitter: @INS_Forum

Updates

• Join us at 10:00 am EST on October 4, 2023, for an hour-long virtual discussion of the implications of the Russian occupation of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant with Valeriia Hesse and Christina McAllister. Register here.
• ICYMI: Catch up on Ali Alkış’ country update on Turkish nuclear security, titled “Nuclear Security for Nuclear Newcomers: Exploring Türkiye’s Readiness.” Read the issue brief.
• ICYMI: Ali Alkış and Christina McAllister discussed the Türkiye country update on September 6, 2023, and answered questions about nuclear security responsibilities, security risks, and more. Watch the recording.

Nuclear Security News

Impact: The Russian Invasion of Ukraine

• Ukraine Strains to Safely Operate Nuclear Power Plants While Under Russian Invasion: “The head of Ukraine’s nuclear energy utility, Energoatom, says his country is trying to do something never before attempted: operate a large network of atomic reactors in the midst of a full-scale war…There are six reactors at Zaporizhzhia maintained by Energoatom personnel, according to [Petro] Kotin, but Russia controls the plant. Those reactors are currently offline. Meanwhile, Ukraine is operating nine reactors generating electricity at three other locations around the country. Ukrainian officials say they have no choice but to keep the plants operating. Together they provide roughly half of Ukraine’s electricity. Kotin spoke during a demonstration at the Khmelnytskyi plant staged for journalists. A team of technicians showed their step-by-step process for restarting a reactor and connecting it to the power grid. Officials said the actual restart of one of the plant’s Soviet-era reactors was happening in another part of the complex, after a cycle of routine maintenance and refueling.”
• UN Atomic Watchdog Warns of Threat to Nuclear Safety as Fighting Spikes Near a Plant in Ukraine: “The United Nations atomic watchdog warned of a potential threat to nuclear safety from a spike in fighting near Europe’s largest nuclear power plant in Ukraine, whose forces continued pressing their counteroffensive…The International Atomic Energy Agency said its experts deployed at the Russia-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant reported hearing numerous explosions…in a possible indication of increased military activity in the region. There was no damage to the plant. ‘I remain deeply concerned about the possible dangers facing the plant at this time of heightened military tension in the region,’ IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi warned in a statement…He noted that the IAEA team was informed that staff at the nuclear power plant had been reduced temporarily to minimum levels due to concerns of more military activity in the area. ‘Whatever happens in a conflict zone, wherever it may be, everybody would stand to lose from a nuclear accident, and I urge that all necessary precautions must be taken to avoid it happening,’ Grossi said.”
• IAEA Sees Improvement in Safety Around Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant in Ukraine – RIA: “There has been some improvement in safety at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi told Russia’s RIA news agency…The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant in Ukraine’s southeast has been controlled by Russia since the early days of the war that Moscow launched against its neighbour in February 2022. ‘So far we have seen some improvement, but the situation continues to be extremely fragile,’ RIA cited Grossi as saying. He said the agency has not observed any shelling of the plant. ‘But I weigh my words carefully,’ he added.”

International Architecture

• U.S. and Japan Convene Nuclear Security Working Group to Adopt New Goals, Discuss Nuclear Security Landscape: “The U.S.-Japan Nuclear Security Working Group (NSWG) convened for its 12th meeting at Oak Ridge National Laboratory earlier this month. The United States and Japan established the bilateral NSWG in 2011 in response to a shared desire to demonstrate leadership in strengthening nuclear security worldwide and in support of the Nuclear Security Summit process. The meeting’s co-chairs were Corey Hinderstein, NNSA Deputy Administrator for Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation, and Ambassador Mitsuko Hayashi, Deputy Director-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Disarmament, Non-Proliferation and Science Department…Other areas of cooperation under the NSWG include research and development, special nuclear material minimization, countering nuclear smuggling, and nuclear material attractiveness.”
• Nuclear Safety and Security Side Events at the 67th IAEA General Conference: “The IAEA Department of Nuclear Safety and Security will host 15 side events and three tours, during the 67th IAEA General Conference, to be held in Vienna from 25 – 29 September 2023.”
• IAEA Concludes International Physical Protection Advisory Service Mission in Zambia: “The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) completed…an International Physical Protection Advisory Service (IPPAS) mission in Zambia. The mission is the 100th IPPAS mission conducted by the IAEA since the programme began in 1995. It is the IAEA’s only advisory service focusing on reviewing physical protection elements of national nuclear security regimes. The mission, conducted upon the request of the Government of Zambia from 28 August to 8 September, was the first such mission in the country. The twelve day mission was hosted by Zambia’s Radiation Protection Authority (RPA) and reviewed the nuclear security regime with regard to the security of radioactive material, associated facilities and activities, including transport. Zambia uses nuclear science and technology for peaceful purposes in various sectors, including agriculture, health, mining, education and environment. The scope of the mission also included a review of the legislative and regulatory framework for the security of radioactive material; regulatory practices in licensing, inspection and enforcement; and coordination between stakeholders involved in nuclear security. In addition, the review covered security systems and practices in place at four selected facilities.”
• International Physical Protection Advisory Service: IAEA Reaches the 100th Mission Milestone: “From the very first International Physical Protection Advisory Service (IPPAS) missions in Bulgaria and Slovenia in 1996 to the most recent 100th mission in Zambia, teams of international experts convened by the IAEA have reviewed the physical protection of nuclear and other radioactive material and associated facilities in 60 countries as well as at the IAEA Laboratories in Seibersdorf. ‘The advice and support provided by IPPAS teams of international experts has helped countries to improve their national nuclear security regimes. The milestone of the 100 IPPAS missions in 60 countries confirms the value and importance of the programme and drives all of us to keep working on strengthening nuclear security globally,’ said Lydie Evrard, Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Nuclear Safety and Security in her remarks at a side event of the IAEA’s annual General Conference.”
• Three More Countries Commit to Safe, Secure and Peaceful Use of Nuclear Technology: “At the annual Treaty Event on the sidelines of the 67th regular session of the IAEA General Conference…three more countries pledged their commitment to nuclear safety, security, and the peaceful use of nuclear technology. Belarus, Egypt, and Zimbabwe all deposited legal instruments to become a party to various multilateral treaties under IAEA auspices, which cover a spectrum of subjects aiming to bolster global nuclear safety and security as well as enabling the development of nuclear science and technology. This year, Belarus ratified the Amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (A/CPPNM), Egypt ratified the Convention on Nuclear Safety (CNS), and Zimbabwe delivered the following six instruments at once: the instruments of accession to the CNS, the Vienna Convention on Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage, the Joint Protocol Relating to the Application of the Vienna Convention and the Paris Convention,  as well as the Protocol to Amend the Vienna Convention on Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage, and instruments of acceptance of the Amendment to the CPPNM and of the Agreement on the Privileges and Immunities of the International Atomic Energy Agency.”
• Remarks by the U.S. Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security at the Commemorative High-Level Event on Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty Hosted by Japan for the UN General Assembly High Level Week: “Some argue that the [Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty] FMCT is inadequate to this agenda; that it would serve not as a step towards disarmament but rather to freeze existing stockpiles in place and ensure their indefinite retention. We reject this perspective. The FMCT is not by itself a solution to the issues facing nuclear arms control, which are significant.  It cannot by itself prevent nuclear war or accomplish total nuclear disarmament. We can and must pursue multiple, reinforcing measures, dialogues, and compromises to realize our arms control objectives, built on the cornerstone of the NPT and of which FMCT is a critical plank. But while it is not the only disarmament step, the FMCT is an essential next step if we are to work towards achieving a more secure world…The greatest mistake we can make today would be to underestimate the utility of an FMCT at the precise the moment in history when it is most urgently needed. One need only consider the rapid nuclear build-up underway in the People’s Republic of China, the only NPT nuclear weapon state not to implement a voluntary moratorium on the production of fissile material for use in nuclear weapons. This is hardly conducive to the pursuit of mutual security or nuclear restraint. This environment inevitably risks impacting conditions of strategic stability that have proven to be so essential to the health and durability of the global nonproliferation regime.”
• Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellows Trained in Nuclear Security: “Women from around the world took part in an International School on Nuclear Security at the IAEA in August. It was the fourth time the school had hosted fellows from the IAEA Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship Programme (MSCFP) since the launch of the programme in 2020. The MSCFP aims to support the next generation of women leaders in the nuclear field through scholarships, internships, and training and networking opportunities. ‘This is a unique programme introducing nuclear security to participants,’ said Marina Labyntseva, Head of the Education and Training Development Unit in the IAEA Division of Nuclear Security. ‘Through a series of lectures, demonstrations and practical exercises, participants learned about the national nuclear security regimes, and what prevention, detection and response to nuclear security threats actually means.’”
• A Global Community of Shared Future: China’s Proposals and Actions: “Concerning the fundamental issues in global nuclear security governance, China proposes to build a community of shared future on nuclear security. It firmly safeguards the international nuclear nonproliferation regime, promotes the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and upholds a rational, coordinated and balanced approach to nuclear security. In response to the increasing risk of nuclear conflict, China has pushed for the conclusion of a joint statement among the leaders of the five nuclear-weapon states, reaffirming that “a nuclear war cannot be won, and must never be fought”. China actively advocates the complete prohibition and thorough destruction of nuclear weapons, and it is the only nuclear country that has publicly committed to no-first-use of nuclear weapons, and not using or threatening to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear-weapon states and nuclear-weapon-free zones.”

Threats

• Thieves May Have Stolen Radioactive Metal from Japan’s Tsunami-Battered Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant: “Construction workers stole and sold potentially radioactive scrap metal from near the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant, the Japanese environment ministry said…The materials went missing from a museum being demolished in a special zone around 2.5 miles from the atomic plant in northeast Japan that was knocked out by a tsunami in 2011. Although people were allowed to return to the area in 2022 after intense decontamination work, radiation levels can still be above normal and the Fukushima plant is surrounded by a no-go zone. Japan’s environment ministry was informed of the theft by workers from a joint venture conducting the demolition work in late July and is ‘exchanging information with police,’ ministry official Kei Osada told AFP. Osada said the metal may have been used in the frame of the building, ‘which means that it’s unlikely that these metals were exposed to high levels of radiation when the nuclear accident occurred.’…The Mainichi Shimbun daily, citing unidentified sources, reported on Tuesday that the workers sold the scrap metal to companies outside the zone for about 900,000 yen ($6,000). It is unclear what volume of metal went missing, where it is now, or if it poses a health risk.”

Security Culture

• Over 100 Security Incidents at MoD Nuclear Weapons Body: “An arm of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) which oversees the UK’s nuclear weapons programme has refused to release details of over 100 security incidents it logged over the last five years, prompting accusations of a ‘cover up’. According to new figures…the Defence Nuclear Organisation (DNO) has recorded 113 ‘security concerns’ since 2017-18. The DNO said these incidents may have ranged from minor breaches of security policies to the outright loss of information. But despite claiming that many of the reported incidents would not have ‘significant ramifications’, the organisation refused to provide descriptions of any. It cited national security concerns and fears about damaging the UK’s reputation internationally. The DNO is responsible for all issues related to the UK’s nuclear weapons – apart from military operations. Its refusal to release further information has been met with concern by politicians and campaigners.”
• The Threat of Nuclear Terrorism Still Hangs Over Us: “As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues, with Russia threatening to use tactical nuclear weapons, and media reports of North Korea providing Russia with artillery shells and rockets, in exchange for energy assistance and help with their nuclear and missile programs, now would be the time for the U.S. to convene another nuclear security summit. Indeed, this would be the time for all nuclear weapons states and non-nuclear weapons states with civilian nuclear energy capabilities to come together to provide assurances that nuclear weapons and fissile materials (for dirty bombs) will be protected, with assurances they would never be sold or provided to rogue states or non-state terrorist organizations. This would also be a good time to communicate directly with North Korea that we will never forget what they did with Syria: Providing a state supporter of terrorism with a nuclear reactor to produce nuclear weapons. North Korea’s leadership should be reminded that we monitor their actions closely and there would be consequences if they sell or provide a nuclear weapon or fissile material to a rogue state or non-state terrorist organization.”
• U.S. Announces New Support for Ghana’s Civil Nuclear Energy Program under the FIRST Capacity Building Program: “U.S. Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for International Security and Nonproliferation Ann Ganzer joined Ghanaian counterparts…to announce further U.S. support for establishing Ghana as a Small Modular Nuclear Reactor (SMR) Regional Training Hub and center of excellence for the sub-Saharan African region. The $1.75 million in funding will support Ghana’s nuclear workforce development, including the provision of an SMR control room simulator, university partnerships, and academic exchanges to position Ghana to serve as a regional training hub for nuclear power technicians and operators. Through this partnership, Ghana will be positioned to develop a skilled nuclear workforce for the region consistent with the highest international standards of nuclear safety, security, and nonproliferation.”
• Questions Raised Over Nuclear Scientists’ Suicide Data: “The department of atomic energy appears to be underreporting unnatural deaths of its employees as data show a substantial number of staff suicides at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) in Mumbai over six years since 2008. The DAE, the nation’s nuclear energy development regulator, said in a recent affidavit filed in Bombay high court that only three BARC employees committed suicide between 1995 and 2014. The affidavit said the death rate from suicides in the premier nuclear research organisation was much less than the national average. The statement was in response to a petition demanding special investigation into unnatural deaths of nuclear scientists in India. But a DAE confidential note pegged the number of suicides of BARC employees between 2008 and 2013 at 11. This note on unnatural deaths of its staff members was sent to the prime minister’s office in December 2013.”

Material Minimization

• United States and Norway Move Ahead with Plan to Eliminate All Highly Enriched Uranium in Norway: “The U.S. Department of Energy and Norway’s Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Fisheries…signed a memorandum of understanding to advance a cooperative project to eliminate all of Norway’s highly enriched uranium (HEU) by downblending it to low-enriched uranium – a shared nonproliferation goal. ‘This project is the latest example of the brilliant work of the Department of Energy’s engineers, scientists, and technical experts come to life,’ said Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. ‘Together with our Norwegian friends and partners, we have taken a major challenge and come up with a creative, innovative solution that will make the world a safer place.’ During downblending, HEU is thoroughly mixed with depleted or natural uranium to reduce the uranium-235 concentration below 20%. The resulting low-enriched uranium cannot be used to make an improvised nuclear device, achieving permanent threat reduction. The challenge has been that much of Norway’s remaining HEU is mixed with thorium, making other disposition techniques more challenging.”

Member Organization Announcements and Updates

CRDF Global

• CRDF Global hosted the ninth annual Breaking Barriers event to support the advancement of women in CBRN fields on September 26, 2023. The event offered a variety of speakers, panels, and networking rooms to consider the ever-important topic of “Who Gets a Seat at the Table? Developing Diverse Spaces in Science and Security.” Read more here.

Federation of American Scientists

• The Federation of American Scientists published a piece titled “Nuclear Notebook: Pakistan Nuclear Weapons, 2023” by Hans Kristensen, Matt Korda, and Eliana Johns on September 14, 2023. Read more here.

Global Nuclear Security Partners (GNSP)

• GNSP are excited to announce the establishment of their presence in Australia. Global Nuclear Security Partners Pty Ltd is an independent legal entity that will draw on our established experience and partnerships. Jaz Diab has become Managing Director for this venture. Jaz is also currently President of Women in Nuclear Australia and formerly the Commanding Officer of the Australian Army’s CBRN Regiment. Read more here.
• Senior Partner Nick Tomkinson and Managing Director-Australia Jaz Diab have both been invited to join the Advisory Board of the Australian Nuclear Taskforce. This is an industry led initiative supporting the nuclear industry and skills uplift for Australia. Read more here.

Nuclear Proliferation Prevention Project, University of Texas

• Alan J. Kuperman published an article titled “Biden’s horse-trading on nuclear technology and fuels is an unprecedented proliferation risk” in the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists on September 6, 2023. The article explores how and why the Biden Administration is reversing five decades of US nonproliferation policy by promoting commerce in weapons-usable nuclear materials – plutonium and highly enriched uranium. Read more here. He also spoke about the article on Fox Business News. Watch the interview here.

Nuclear Threat Initiative

• NTI released a new report titled “Reducing Cyber Risks to Nuclear Weapons: Proposals from a U.S.-Russia Dialogue” on September 13, 2023. The report highlights the critical need for a global diplomatic approach to address growing cyber risks, including, where possible, through cooperation between the United States and Russia. Read more here.
• NTI and the Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation co-hosted a side event at the IAEA General Conference titled “NTI Nuclear Security Index: The Road to Reviving Global Nuclear Security” on September 27, 2023. The event covered the 2023 NTI Nuclear Security Index and its findings. Read more here.

Nuclear Transport Solutions

• Alex Barrow presented a poster titled “Industry’s Role in Global Nuclear Security – Towards a New Model” at the UK Project on Nuclear Issues Conference.

Odesa Center for Nonproliferation

• Ali Alkış co-authored an article titled “Lessons from Zaporizhzhia: How to protect reactors against ‘nuclear piracy’” in the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists. Read more here.

Universiteit Antwerpen (University of Antwerp)

• Mathias Reveraert, Tom Sauer, Marlies Sas, Genserik Reniers, and Wim Hardyns co-authored a book chapter titled “Insider Threats to Critical Infrastructure: A Typology” in Management and Engineering of Critical Infrastructure. The book was published on September 4, 2023.

Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation

• The VCDNP organised a visit for the UN Disarmament Fellows to the Brussels-based European Union offices dealing with nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament policy. Read more here.
• VCDNP experts organised, spoke at, and moderated 10 events at the 2023 NPT Preparatory Committee meeting and the Working Group on further strengthening the review process, and served on two national delegations. Read more here.
• The VCDNP hosted a side event at the 2023 NPT Preparatory Committee meeting focused on IAEA coordinated research projects and expanding access to the benefits of ionising radiation. Read more here.
• VCDNP and NTI have created the GCNP Next in Nuclear Fellowship as partners in Gender Champions for Nuclear Policy and are sponsoring Lynette Moyo, an early-career scientist with the Radiation Protection Authority of Zimbabwe.

World Institute for Nuclear Security

• WINS co-hosted a side event on gender diversity in nuclear security at the 67^th IAEA General Conference in Vienna, Austria highlighting their recent publications supporting organizational efforts to advance gender diversity in nuclear security.

Individual Member Updates

• Artem Lazarev from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) shared that:
  • Since 2018, UNODC has been working with the Government of Albania to promote and facilitate their adherence to the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism (ICSANT). After depositing its instrument of ratification with the United Nations Secretary-General on 21 August, Albania became the 121stparty to ICSANT on 20 September. Read more here.
  • On 20-23 August, UNODC contributed to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) regional workshop to coordinate the implementation of Integrated Nuclear Security Support Plan (INSSP) for countries of the Economic Community of West African States, which was held in Lomé, Togo. UNODC briefed participating States on ICSANT and its related work and held bilateral meetings on the margins of the event to discuss available assistance under its Canada and EU-funded projects.
  • On 18 September, UNODC, in cooperation with UNOCT and the European Union (EU), launched the new EU project “Union Support for the Universalisation and Effective implementation of ICSANT.” Information on the project is available at the UNODC’s ICSANT website. Read more here.
  • One of the deliverables under the project is four virtual regional workshops to promote adherence to ICSANT. The first workshop took place on 20 September and brought together over 60 participants from some 20 countries in the African region. Read more here.
• Bahram Ghiassee participated in a panel discussion of the policy memo titled “Why is the UK Still Party to the Iran Nuclear Deal? Practical Applications for the Future of the JCPOA” on September 27, 2023. Read more here.  

Opportunities

• The IAEA is now accepting applications for the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship Programme that aims to help increase the number of women in the nuclear field. Fellows will receive a scholarship for Master’s programs in nuclear related studies, and are provided with an opportunity to pursue internships facilitated by the IAEA for up to 12 months. Learn more.
• CRDF Global is now accepting applications for a Research Security Project Associate in Kyiv, Ukraine. The project associate will provide administrative support and complete project-related tasks for a team implementing counter-WMD proliferation programming, specifically focused on supporting international nonproliferation norms and countering malign proliferator state influence and aggression. Learn more.
• The Scoville Peace Fellowship is accepting applications for the Spring 2024 cohort. Fellows will work with think tanks and non-profit organizations in the peace and security field and will gain valuable professional development experience and connections. Applications are due October 9 and Spring 2024 fellows will begin between January 15 and April 1, 2024. Learn more.
• ReThink Media is looking to hire either a Communications Associate or Senior Communications Associate for their Peace & Security Team. The Communications Associate will primarily work on our nuclear portfolio, supporting organizations and coalitions in advancing arms control and disarmament through tactics such as media pitching, op-ed editing, messaging guidance, and media strategy. Learn more.
• The CSIS Nuclear Scholars Initiative is accepting applications for the Class of 2024. The Nuclear Scholars Initiative aims to provide top graduate students and young professionals from around the country with a unique venue to interact and dialogue with senior experts on nuclear weapons issues. Candidates with less than seven years of professional experience are welcome to apply. Learn more.
• The National Nuclear Security Administration Minority Serving Institutions Internship Program (NNSA-MSIIP) is accepting applications for their 2024-2025 cohort. The program provides paid opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students at Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) pursuing degrees in critical science, engineering, technology, mathematics, and other disciplines that complement current and future missions of the NNSA. Learn more.
• The Black Sea Women in Nuclear Network has started a mentorship program for college students, young professionals, and middle career experts. Learn more.