Proceedings of an international conference on nuclear security: Global directions for the future

International terrorism is more far reaching, multifaceted, ruthlessly planned and well financed than ever before. Sub-State actors have shown that they are prepared to attack any target, sacrifice lives (including their own) and use any means to obtain their goals. Criminals have attempted to obtain nuclear and radioactive material. It must be assumed that sub-State actors or criminals may try to acquire weapons of mass destruction, improvise a nuclear explosive device or radiological dispersal device, or attempt to sabotage nuclear facilities, locations or transports. The international community is challenged to make every effort to prevent nuclear or other radioactive material from falling into the wrong hands. Based on a design basis threat, nuclear facilities and other places where radioactive material may be located, as well as transport vehicles, must be protected against sabotage. The potential consequences of any malicious use of nuclear or other radioactive material could be catastrophic and could jeopardize the continued peaceful uses of nuclear technology and applications. The International Conference on Nuclear Security: Global Directions for the Future was convened by the IAEA in cooperation with the European Union, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the International Criminal Police Organization, the European Police Office and the World Customs Organization and was hosted by the Government of the United Kingdom. The conference considered the threat of malicious acts involving nuclear and other radioactive material; the experiences, achievements and shortcomings of national and international efforts to strengthen the prevention of, detection of and response to malicious acts involving these materials; and the ways and means to achieve future improvements. There were 288 participants at the conference from 68 countries and 12 organizations. This was the first conference of its kind. In the past, conferences have been convened on related subjects: - In May 2001 the IAEA held the International Conference on Security of Material: Measures to Prevent, Intercept and Respond to Illicit Uses of Nuclear Material and Radioactive Sources, which created an awareness of the consequences that might result from illegal activities involving nuclear and other radioactive material.- In March 2003 the IAEA and its cosponsors held the International Conference on the Security of Radioactive Sources, which resulted in a number of findings regarding the promotion of greater international cooperation in addressing the security concerns raised by insufficiently controlled radioactive sources. - The International Conference on National Infrastructures for Radiation Safety, held in Rabat in September 2003, which provided a forum for information exchange on current issues related to the requirements for adequate national radiation safety infrastructures and their evolution towards sustainable and effective systems. The principal aim of this conference was to share information on how to most successfully combat sub-State and criminal threats now and in the future and to foster a better understanding and awareness of the global changes since 11 September 2001. It considered the nature of future threats involving the malicious use of nuclear or other radioactive material, including ways in which assistance and support to countries without the necessary resources can be more effectively provided and sustained. It examined what has been achieved and how effective the existing measures have been, and considered what should be continued and how the international response might be altered to provide a more comprehensive and coherent approach. The conference sought new ideas to facilitate better and more systematic planning. These proceedings contain the opening and keynote addresses and the invited papers presented during the various topical and panel sessions. The conference generated an extensive exchange of information on key issues related to a number of aspects of nuclear security. The summaries of these discu ssions as well as the findings, as presented by the President of the Conference, are also included