Working Paper Submitted by Australia, Austria, Canada ... -- Physical Protection, Illicit Trafficking

Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)

Conference on Disarmament

General Assembly First Committee

UN Disarmament Commission

Special Session on Disarmament

Physical protection, illicit trafficking

Working paper submitted to Main Committee II by Australia, Austria, Canada, Denmark, Hungary, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway and Sweden

1. The Conference notes the paramount importance of effective physical protection of nuclear material, especially that usable for military purposes, and calls on all States to maintain the highest standards of security and physical protection of nuclear materials. The Conference notes the need for strengthened international cooperation in physical protection. In this regard, the Conference notes that 64 States have become party to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material. The Conference urges all States that have not yet done so to adhere to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material and other international instruments on the physical protection of nuclear material and nuclear facilities, at the earliest possible date. It welcomes the continuing informal discussions among experts, under the aegis of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), to discuss whether there is a need to revise the Convention. The Conference also notes that the recommendations contained in INFCIRC/225, on the physical protection of nuclear material and facilities have been revised and are currently set forth in INFCIRC/225/Rev.4 (Corrected).

2. The Conference expresses grave concern about the illicit trafficking of nuclear and other radioactive materials and urges all States to introduce and enforce appropriate measures and legislation to protect and ensure the security of such material. The Conference welcomes the activities in the fields of prevention, detection and response being undertaken by IAEA in support of efforts against illicit trafficking. The Conference acknowledges IAEA efforts to assist member States in strengthening their regulatory control on the applications of radioactive materials, including the Agency's registry of sealed sources. It also welcomes the IAEA activities undertaken to provide for the enhanced exchange of information among its member States, including the continued maintenance of the illicit trafficking database. The Conference recognizes the importance of enhancing cooperation and coordination among States and among international organizations in preventing, detecting and responding to the illegal use of nuclear and other radioactive material.