Amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material
The Amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material augments the existing Convention which is designed to physically safeguard all non-military nuclear material. The July 2005 Amendment expands the remit of the convention to include all nuclear material designated for civilian use that is being stored, used in facilities, in addition to the existing convention’s guidelines on nuclear material being transported internationally. It is nevertheless still the responsibility of the state to verify that a sufficient level of nuclear security is in place, and as such the amended convention does not interfere with the sovereign rights of State Parties. It is therefore aimed at deepening cooperative efforts amongst and within states to enhance their existing level of nuclear security. In doing so it recommends states adopt twelve ‘fundamental principles’ which range from establishing the appropriate legislation and regulations to safeguard nuclear material, maintaining a system of layered defence to prevent the theft or sabotage of nuclear material, and producing contingency plans in the event of a security breach. Although only 102 states of the original 153 have ratified the amendment it symbolises the growing importance of nuclear security within international politics.