28 March – 1 April, 2022 Through the invitation of World Institute for Nuclear Security (WINS), WiN Ukraine participated in the Conference of the Parties to the Amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material, which took place in Vienna, Austria.
The CPPNM and its Amendment is the only legally binding international instrument in relation to the physical protection of nuclear material and nuclear facilities. The CPPNM and A-CPPNM is binding on States Parties to the CPPNM and States Parties who have ratified the Amendment and it generally forms the basis for their legal and regulatory framework and guiding principles systems and measures and for nuclear security at the national level.
This year, the statements given by most countries – members of the IAEA – highlighted the unprecedented and unjust military actions by the russian federation against Ukraine, which is, certainly not covered by the Convention – as neither the Convention nor IAEA recommendations provide for measures to ensure the physical protection of nuclear material under conditions of full-scale war, which was also mentioned in the online speech by the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine.
As previously reported, the Executive Director of WINS, Mr. Lars van Dassen, presented his speech during the plenary session ( https://win-ukraine.org.ua/threat-and-threat-perceptions-in-a-new-nuclear-security-paradigm-lars-van-dassen/ ).
In the course of the Conference, WINS’ booth showcased its current and future projects and programmes with brochures, its recently released Annual Report, as well as its newly developed roll-up entitled “WiN Ukraine Lives On in WINS”.
On 31 March, WINS organized a side event called “Strengthening the Role of Industry in Implementing the Obligations in the A/CPPNM”. During this event, WINS presented a review of the current level of engagement of the nuclear industry in international forums for nuclear security, how the industry shares its implementation challenges, and how to move to actionable recommendations with practical examples of how the nuclear industry contributes to strengthening nuclear security at all levels. The event was prepared by Tomas Bieda (Project Manager) and Anida Celikovic (Membership Manager and Project Support).
WINS and WiN Ukraine also took part in the side event organized by Argentina called “Leadership in nuclear security: Women supporting the CPPNM/A.” During this event, Rhonda Evans (Head of Programme Development), provided the audience more information about the WINS Gender Programme.
In view of the ongoing war, WiN Ukraine also highly appreciates the work being provided in diplomatic fields in the context of advocacy of the Ukrainian position (as Ukraine also being a party to A/CPPNM) by the Permanent Mission of Ukraine to the International Organizations in Vienna. In this regard, we especially mark the important mission fulfilled by Mr. Oleh Verbovyi (Advisor to the Resident Representative to United Nations (Vienna), IAEA and CTBTO).
Ms. Nataliia Kostenko, Alternate Permanent Representative, in her brilliant speech at the closing day of the Conference, bravely resisted the attacking russian delegation’s statements with indisputable facts of the breach of international law by the russian federation and its lies and fabrication about the real military actions and actions of nuclear terrorism which cannot be ignored by the so-called international nuclear community.
The final day of the Conference was also highlighted with the IAEA Director General’s speech touching upon, inter alia, the outcome of his recent visits to Ukraine and also russia.
WiN Ukraine is thankful to WINS for the chance to be invited at the IAEA and to be given opportunity to meet with various stakeholders with the aim to share proper information about the russian aggression against Ukraine and acts of nuclear terrorism committed by russian troops.
WINS and WiN Ukraine both look forward to working alongside each other toward the shared goal of an enhanced global nuclear security regime.
