Year
2007
Abstract
Following Libya’s abandonment of its nuclear weapons programme in December 2003, the International Atomic Energy Agency (the Agency) saw clear evidence of the extent of nuclear proliferation by trans-national networks. It was decided, at the end of 2004, to respond to the ongoing threat by creating a Nuclear Trade Analysis Unit in the Department of Safeguards. This measure was reinforced by an IAEA General Conference resolution GC(49)/RES/13 in September 2005 which “Welcomes efforts to strengthen safeguards, including the Secretariat’s activities in verifying and analysing information provided by Member States on nuclear supply and procurement, taking into account the need for efficiency, and invites all States to cooperate with the Agency in this regard”. The Director General also stated, at that time, that “the IAEA needs new mechanisms for obtaining information on the covert transfer of nuclear related goods and activities”. ‘NUTRAN1 Outreach’ – outreach for nuclear trade analysis – is one such mechanism that has been introduced in the Department of Safeguards. This voluntary mechanism agreed first with the individual State and then with companies, is used for making contact with the nuclear related industries of cooperating Member States to provide the Agency with early indication of a covert transfer of nuclear related goods. The Agency has had experience and has seen good results from this type of initiative in connection with Iraq. It is also one that can be adopted by Member States to help meet their obligations under various Security Council resolutions. The evolution, working processes and benefits derived from Procurement Outreach activities for the Department of Safeguards and Member States are described herein.