The European Union and the United Nations continue to work on preventing Acts of Nuclear Terrorism with the launch of a new project
The United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT) of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) launched a new global project on promoting the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism (ICSANT), which is jointly implemented with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and funded by the European Union (EU). The high-level launch event was held in New York on the margins of the First Committee of the General Assembly.
Entitled “Addressing the threat posed by nuclear terrorism to international peace and security: EU support to the 缅北禁地for the universalization and effective implementation of the ICSANT,” the event provided an opportunity for participants to share their perspectives and lessons learned on promoting adherence to the Convention.
High-level representatives from UNOCT, the EU, UNODC and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) addressed the opening session.
Background
ICSANT was adopted in 2005 by consensus by the United Nations General Assembly. It entered into force in 2007 and currently has 122 States Parties.
In December 2022, the General Assembly reiterated its concern about the growing risk of linkages between terrorism and weapons of mass destruction (A/RES/77/75). In particular, the General Assembly recognized that terrorists may seek to acquire weapons of mass destruction, and appealed to all Member States to consider ratification of ICSANT while encouraging States Parties to review their implementation.
The project supports requesting Member States in capacity building to strengthen legal frameworks and enhance nuclear security. It also seeks to enhance appreciation of the importance of ratification and encourage effective implementation of the Convention.
More specifically, the UNCCT-led components of the project will include:
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Awareness raising and visibility events
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Regional workshops and tabletop exercises on nuclear security
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National trainings
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Promotion of the Global Academic Study on the reasons and challenges for non-adherence to ICSANT
For more information, visit /counterterrorism/cct/chemical-biological-radiological... or contact oct-ctweapons@un.org