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International Legal Framework for Safeguards
Webinar Series on Nuclear Law
Description
The IAEA contributes to nuclear non-proliferation through safeguards designed to verify States’ undertakings to use nuclear material, facilities and other items subject to safeguards only for peaceful purposes. The safeguards measures implemented by the IAEA are the key means of verifying compliance by States with their commitments not to use nuclear material to develop nuclear weapons or other explosive devices. The legal framework for IAEA safeguards is thus an important element of the IAEA’s work in fulfilling its statutory objective “to accelerate and enlarge the contribution of atomic energy to peace, health and prosperity throughout the world”. The implementation of safeguards depends on the State’s adherence to relevant international treaties, such as the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and/or regional nuclear-weapon-free zone treaties, and to the provisions of the safeguards agreement(s) and relevant protocols concluded by the State with the IAEA.
This webinar introduces participants to the IAEA legal framework for safeguards, provides an overview of the safeguards agreements and protocols thereto, as well as related instruments including recent developments. This webinar also highlights the safeguards elements in the national legal framework.
By the end of this webinar, participants should be able to:
- Understand the evolution of IAEA safeguards and the basic character of safeguards;
- Describe and identify the main elements of the IAEA legal framework for safeguards;
- Understand the different types of Non-proliferation treaties basic safeguards agreements and protocols thereto, including their objectives and scope, in particular, Comprehensive safeguards agreements (CSAs), Voluntary offer agreements (VOAs), Additional Protocols (APs) and Small Quantities Protocols (SQPs);
- Identify the key safeguards elements in the national legal framework and those elements of nuclear export and import control legislation.
Presenter
Lourdes Vez Carmona, IAEA
Moderator
Wolfram Tonhauser, IAEA
