Opening Statement by Ms Kathleen Heppell-Masys, Director General, Directorate of Security and Safeguards, Conference President [International Conference on Physical Protection of Nuclear Material and Nuclear Facilities, Vienna (Austria), 13-17 November 2017]

The conference provides a forum for Member States to share experiences, good practices and lessons learned for the implementation of INFCIRC rev 225. The intention of this conference is to enhance the understanding of the recommendations contained in this document, and to assist Member States in implementing a comprehensive nuclear security regime, including international commitments. The conference will also provide a forum to discuss the CPPNM and its Amendment, which entered into force in May 2016. The significance of the conference reflects growing concerns of evolving threats to nuclear security and the rapidly changing technologies, as is evidenced in the nearly 800 participants representing 107 Member States and 14 International Organizations. The physical protection of nuclear material and nuclear facilities are critical aspects of achieving nuclear security. The CPPNM and its Amendment are legally binding documents that include revisions for state parties to protect nuclear material and nuclear facilities in use, storage and transport, and to reduce risk of a terrorist attack involving nuclear material. The entering into force of the CPPNM into force in 2016 was a further step in strengthening nuclear security around the world. The Ministerial declaration of the 2016 Nuclear Security conference encouraged the IAEA's efforts to promote universalization. Today there are 115 state parties to the CPPNM and A, and efforts continue to attract more. As President of this conference, I view this momentum as a great achievement, and I strongly encourage further member states to become parties to the Amendment.