The first Review Conference of the Amended CPPNM: preparations and possibilities

The Amended Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM/A) entered into force on 8 May 2016 and currently has 118 Parties. Article 16 of the convention calls for the depository (the IAEA) to convene a conference of States Parties to “review the implementation of this Convention and its adequacy as concerns the preamble, the whole of the operative part and the annexes in the light of the then prevailing situation” five years after its entry-into-force. This review conference (RevCon) will take place in 2021. The one and only review conference for the original 1980 CPPNM took place in 1992, with little result. The CPPNM/A is one of the two primary treaties dealing with nuclear terrorism. As such, it is a vital element of the global nuclear security architecture. While the triennial international conferences on nuclear security (and their Ministerial components) held by the IAEA are currently the largest forum to discuss all matters pertaining to nuclear security, the CPPNM/A RevCon provides a unique forum for states to discuss, on a regular basis, legally binding undertakings on physical protection. Unlike other nuclear-related conventions, such as the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and the Convention on Nuclear Safety, there is no legally mandated or established preparatory process for the CPPNM/A RevCon. This provides a challenge but moreover an opportunity to shape a sound and productive preparatory process suitable to the needs of States Parties. The challenge will be to deal with the necessary administrative matters such as timing, participation, rules of procedures, financing and electing a chair (or co-chairs) in a way to most effectively deal with thematic areas consistent with the mandate set out in Article 16 (including addressing the “then prevailing situation”) but which also address the topics of highest priority to States Parties. This paper will discuss the procedural and thematic issues relevant to the preparatory process and the RevCon itself with the goal of not only ensuring a strong and sustainable convention but supporting the global nuclear security architecture as a whole.