Global Forum to Prevent Radiological and Nuclear Terrorism (Global FTPRNT) reaffirm their unwavering commitment to strengthening global radiological and nuclear (R/N) security by fostering international cooperation, upholding international norms, adhering to multilateral conventions, supporting the robust implementation of relevant legal frameworks, and working through international organizations to counter R/N terrorism.
The meeting was convened in Bucharest, Romania, from November 13-15, 2024.
According to the press release of the US State Department, Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Czechia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Ireland, Japan, Lithuania, Montenegro, The Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Poland, Republic of Croatia, Republic of Korea, Republic of Slovenia, Spain, Ukraine, United Kingdom have endorsed their commitments.
For over fifteen years, the international community engaged in the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism (GICNT) under the co-chairmanship of Russia and the United States to coordinate international capacity-building measures to prevent non-state actors, including terrorist groups, from acquiring or using R/N materials for malicious purposes.
Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the United States and Russia mutually agreed to pause all official GICNT activities, creating a significant gap in international efforts to address R/N terrorism.
The Global FTPRNT bridges this gap by bringing together like minded partners to address the urgent need for continued international cooperation and coordination to prevent, detect, and respond to R/N terrorism risks and threats globally.
The forum also affirms their commitment to remain vigilant against the risk of R/N materials falling into the hands of terrorists and other non-state actors with intent to cause harm, recognizing the importance of international cooperation to identify and implement measures to minimize the risk of terrorist use of R/N materials.
As nations increasingly pursue nuclear power options – including in considering the selection, development, and deployment of advanced nuclear energy technology such as advanced and small modular reactors – as part of their energy mix, it is essential that adequate security measures are in place and implemented to mitigate the potential risks from R/N terrorism.
Forum will uphold nuclear security principles for R/N terrorism deterrence, prevention, detection, response, and prosecution.
In order to achieve this, they commit to developing global capacity to combat R/N terrorism, consistent with national legal authorities and in compliance with obligations outlined in international legal frameworks that foster international cooperation to prevent the illicit acquisition, transport, or use of R/N materials by strengthening global activities and institutions through the integration of collective capabilities and resources aiming to build a safer and more secure world and protect against the threat of R/N terrorism.
