Country Assessment Methodology for Prioritizing International Nuclear Safeguards Engagement

The U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration’s (DOE/NNSA) International Nuclear Safeguards and Engagement Program (INSEP) has developed a semi-quantitative methodology that prioritizes countries for engagement in international safeguards activities. INSEP has two principal engagement activities, international safeguards cooperation and technical engagement on peaceful uses of nuclear energy under the Sister Laboratory Program. This specialized tool employs a comprehensive, flexible and auditable approach that can be used to identify countries for engagement under a variety of U.S. government initiatives, including the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP) and United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540. INSEP developed this tool to identify and justify programmatic priorities and to achieve its mission more cost effectively.