Building Effective Systems for Nuclear Export Control: Lessons Learned from Cooperation with Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan

Preventing the spread of nuclear weapons is an urgent global challenge. Underdeveloped national controls, the globalization of nuclear and related high-tech industries, and the determined pursuit of nuclear capabilities by both national and sub-national terrorist groups, intensify the threat. Effective export controls are a cornerstone of the international nuclear nonproliferation effort. For decades, the United States and the international community have advocated the regulation of the use and supply of materials, equipment, and technology that could contribute to proliferation. The Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Office of Export Control Policy and Cooperation coordinates programs to strengthen export control practices worldwide through its International Nuclear Export Control Program (INECP). Since 1995, the INECP has sponsored joint programs with Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan to develop the infrastructure necessary to control international transfers of proliferation-sensitive commodities and technology without unduly restricting legitimate trade. This paper summarizes INECP efforts to support the development of effective nuclear export control in these three nuclearsupplier states by enhancing national export licensing, industry outreach, and export control enforcement capabilities.