International Conference in Stockholm to Address Protection of Nuclear Material and Radioactive Sources

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is holding a major conference on "Security of Material, Measures to Prevent, Intercept and Respond to Illicit Uses of Nuclear Material and Radioactive Sources" in Stockholm from 7 to 11 May. The Conference, which is hosted by the Government of Sweden, is being organized in co-operation with the World Customs Organization, and the International Criminal Police Organization — Interpol, and the European Police Office. It will bring together over 300 officials from government ministries, customs authorities and police forces from more than 70 countries.

The Conference will look at approaches for enhancing security of material in general as well as protecting facilities against terrorism and sabotage. More specifically it will address measures for interception and response to illicit trafficking and discuss the practices and measures currently being used to minimize the possibilities of the unauthorized removal and movement of nuclear materials and critical equipment. It will also consider the importance of closer co-operation with law enforcement authorities and intelligence agencies and the necessity of applying new technologies to this effort.

"The potential for the smuggling of large quantities of weapons-usable material may be low", said IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei. "However, even trafficking of small quantities of such material deserves full attention in the context of non-proliferation, since quantities of nuclear material of strategic value could be accumulated. Trafficking involving other radioactive materials do not pose a proliferation threat, but can cause, and have resulted in, serious radiation exposure to individuals."

Within its programme, the IAEA has initiated a number of activities to support Member States in improving measures for protecting nuclear material and radioactive sources from illicit trafficking, particularly in the areas of material accountability and physical protection of nuclear materials and facilities.

Members of the press are welcome to attend all sessions of the Conference as observers. A press conference will be held on the first day at 11:00 with a representative of the Swedish Government, Ambassador Rolf Ekeus, Director of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, and Anita Nilsson, Head of the IAEA’s Office of Physical Protection and Material Security.