A Conference is set 4-8 July 2005 in Vienna on proposed amendments to the international Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material. IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei convened the conference at the request of States that are parties to the Convention, which has been an important element of the world´s nuclear security framework since 1980.
The July Conference specifically looks toward the adoption of proposed amendments to strengthen the Convention. For a number of years, work has been progressing on a draft amendment that would strengthen the Convention´s existing provisions and expand its scope to cover, among other points, the physical protection of nuclear material used for peaceful purposes, in domestic use, storage and transport; and the physical protection of nuclear material and nuclear facilities used for peaceful purposes against sabotage.
Right now, the Convention obliges States Parties to ensure during international nuclear transport the protection of nuclear material within their territory or on board their ships or aircraft. It is the only international legally binding instrument in the area of physical protection of nuclear material.
To facilitate governmental arrangements for the Conference, the IAEA has opened on-line registration for representatives from States invited to participate. See Story Resources for links.