THE GLOBAL NUCLEAR SECURITY PROGRAM OF THE NATIONAL NUCLEAR SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has been actively engaged in various international programs to provide for adequate physical protection of nuclear materials and facilities since 1974. Under these programs, DOE has assisted in security efforts by identifying and/or implementing security improvements in over 50 countries. The DOE’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) has recently reorganized many of these programs to form the Global Nuclear Security Program (GNSP) under the Office of International Safeguards (NA-243). The purpose of this paper is to describe this new organization and how it is actively engaged in securing nuclear materials and preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons. The GNSP ensures the security of nuclear materials through a combination of multilateral and bilateral measures that enhance the physical protection and proper accounting of nuclear materials in countries that are Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). The GNSP works cooperatively with governments worldwide and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to strengthen physical protection at nuclear facilities. The program exercises its mandate through 4 areas of emphasis: 1. Bilateral Consultations on the Security of U.S. Origin Nuclear Materials 2. Support to the IAEA’s International Physical Protection Advisory Service (IPPAS) Program 3. Bilateral Assistance to Augment Physical Protection 4. Provision of Training and Technical Advice on Physical Protection