Strengthening multilateral cooperation to enhance nuclear security and counter terrorism (Counter-Terrorism Week Side Event)

Excellencies, distinguished delegates, colleagues, and friends, on behalf of the co-organizers from the European Union, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute, the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime, and ourselves, United Nations Office on Counterterrorism, I am pleased to welcome you to this side event entitled Strengthening Multilateral Cooperation to Enhance Nuclear Security and Counterterrorism: Promoting the Universalization and Effective Implementation of the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism, known as ICSANT. As we mark the 20th anniversary of the United Nations Global Counterterrorism Strategy, this discussion provides a timely opportunity to reflect on the importance of international cooperation in strengthening nuclear security preventing acts of nuclear terrorism. It allows us to highlight the value of IKSANT as a cornerstone of the international legal framework against terrorism and to examine ways to advance the universalization and effective implementation. I would like to thank all of our partners and speakers for joining us today and for the continued commitment to strengthening the global efforts against nuclear terrorism. I would also like to acknowledge that we have a lot of people connected online and that the event is being broadcasted at UN Web TV. To begin our event, I am pleased to invite Mr. Marom Jediko, Director of the United Nations Counterterrorism Centre of UNOCT, to deliver his opening remarks. The floor is yours, Marom.

Thank you very much, Rulik, and Good afternoon to everybody, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen. On behalf of the UN Office for Counter-Terrorism, it's really my pleasure to welcome you all to this side event held during the 4th United Nations Counter-Terrorism Week. And I would like to start by expressing my strong and deep appreciation to our partners and the co-organizers of this event, the European Union, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime for their continued collaboration and commitment to strengthening global efforts to prevent and counter nuclear terrorism. I also wish, of course, to thank all of the member states, international organizations, and the experts who are joining us today, both here in this room and online. This year, Counter-Terrorism Week is taking place under the theme "A Future Free from Terrorism: Consolidating the Global Commitment to Multi-Stakeholder Approaches to Counter Terrorism through Member States' Leadership and Action." Few areas demonstrate the importance of this theme more clearly than nuclear security and the prevention of nuclear terrorism. The threat posed by terrorists and other non-state actors seeking to acquire, develop, or use nuclear or other radioactive material remains a serious concern for the international community. While the probability of a nuclear terrorist attack is low, the consequences of such an attack would be catastrophic. Such an attack would cause loss of life, widespread social and economic disruption,— environmental damage and other long-lasting impacts across borders and across generations. Preventing such attacks requires vigilance, preparedness and, above all, cooperation. Prevention requires robust national capacities in every country. It requires effective international partnerships. It also requires strong legal frameworks and practical mechanisms for cooperation. And prevention requires sustained political commitment to ensuring that no gaps exist to be exploited by those who seek to use radioactive or nuclear material for terrorist or criminal purposes. The International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism, or ICSANT, is a cornerstone of these efforts. As one of the 19 universal legal instruments Against Terrorism provides a comprehensive legal framework for criminalizing acts involving nuclear and other radioactive material, facilitating international cooperation in investigations and prosecutions, and strengthening collective responses to evolving threats. The Convention is relevant to all States, which is why universalization is critical. In fact, IXANT addresses not only nuclear material, but also other radioactive material used daily in medicine, industry, agriculture, and scientific research. Such materials are present in every country, making effective legal and institutional safeguards a shared responsibility. While significant progress has been achieved since the Convention's the Convention entered into force, universal adherence remains an unfinished task. More than one-third of United Nations member states have yet to become parties, for example. Universalization is therefore not simply a legal objective. It is a security imperative. Over the past 7 years, UNOCT and UNODC, with the generous support of the European Union, have worked together, aligned of course with the International Atomic Agency and UNICREI, to advance the universalization and effective implementation of ICSANT through dedicated global projects. These initiatives have supported legislative assistance, provide capacity building, regional-international dialogue, and technical cooperation with Member States literally across the entire globe. The results demonstrate the value of multilateral action. Through partnership with Member States, UN Counter-Terrorist Compact partners, regional counterparts in the European Union or in the African Union and many others, we have been able to strengthen awareness, build expertise and support concrete progress towards adherence and implementation. But important work remains ahead. As terrorist threats continue to evolve and technological developments create new challenges and opportunities, international cooperation must continue to adapt. We must strengthen information sharing, promote coordinated assistance, enhance legal preparedness, and ensure that the international framework remains fit for purpose. This year also marks two important milestones. We commemorate the 20th anniversary of the UN Global Counter-Terrorist Strategy, —a landmark document that guides international counter-terrorist efforts. And of course, we also look ahead to the implementation— to the adoption and implementation of the Ninth Review, which reaffirms the commitment of Member States to prevent terrorists from acquiring nuclear, chemical and biological materials. Today's discussion offers an opportunity to take stock of progress achieved, identify remaining gaps, and consider practical ways forward. It is also an opportunity to reaffirm a fundamental principle that no state can address the threat of nuclear terrorism alone. Only through effective multilateral cooperation, shared responsibility, and sustained commitment to international law can we ensure that nuclear and other radioactive materials are never used to advance terrorist objectives. I hope today's discussion will further strengthen momentum towards, of course, the full universalization and effective implementation of ICSAN. And I thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Miedeko, for those opening remarks. And I'll turn the floor to Ms. Xiaohong Li, representative of UNODC's New York liaison office, to provide her opening remarks.

Ms. Li.

Thank you, Moderator, for giving me the floor. Excellencies, Distinguished delegates and dear colleagues, it's my great pleasure on behalf of UN Office on Drugs and Crime, also referred to as UNODC, to welcome you all to this side event on promoting the universal adherence and effective implementation of ECOSAND. It's also my honor and UNODC's honor to co-organize this event together with EU, IAEA, UNOCT, and UNICRE. I would also like to express our appreciation to the European Union for funding this activity and for continuously supporting our efforts to promote ECOSAND. This event is yet another testament to the EU and the UNODC's longstanding cooperation on ECOSAND., which dates back to 2019. As Mr. Madhukar mentioned just now, that nuclear technology and radioactive materials deliver important benefits in areas such as medicine, agriculture, and research and industry. At the same time, there remains a risk that they could be acquired or misused by non-state actors for terrorist or other criminal purpose. Given the transnational nature and the potentially devastating consequences of radiological and nuclear terrorism, all states must establish robust national legal policy frameworks to prevent and combat such threats. ICSENT is one of the 19 international legal instruments against terrorism that the UNODC is mandated to promote by the resolutions of General Assembly. It is an essential tool for preventing and responding to terrorist and other criminal conduct involving nuclear or other radioactive material and for improving nuclear security worldwide. Since ICSENT was adopted in 2005, UODC has been providing states with relevant legal, technical, and operational support to promote its universal adherence and effective implementation. Under projects funded by Canada, the European Union, and the United States of America. Our work is two-branched. First, we support universal adherence to ICSEMD by engaging with states not yet a party to the convention. Since 2023, 7 states have joined ICSEMD with direct support from UODC. Second, we assist states in effectively implementing the Convention through legislative assistance, capacity building, and development of tools. Under the complementary projects respectively funded by Canada, the European Union, and the U.S., UNODC has developed a dedicated website for the Convention to share relevant information and resources, and also promoted the designation of points of contact by these parties and promoted their cooperation. UODC also trained criminal justice and other relevant officials to investigate, prosecute, and adjudicate relevant terrorist and criminal cases. In this regard, and expanded outreach and awareness-raising activities to policymakers, practitioners, and diplomats. So yesterday, at the next conference room, we organized together with our donors from U.S. a seminar to raise awareness on the convention. So I would also like to share that through all the above-mentioned efforts, UODC regularly cooperates and coordinates with multilateral partners. For example, with UNOCT and also the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, we held high-level side event at the margins of the 58th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva on preventing and suppressing nuclear terrorism while respecting human rights. And also, together with IAEA, we joined forces in promoting the legal framework for nuclear security through a series of seminars. So we have developed and disseminated specialized guidance for criminal justice officials on radiological and nuclear terrorism with UNICRI and other partners through a prosecutor's guide to radiological and nuclear terrorism and crimes. And also with Interpol through its Radiological and Nuclear Terrorism Prevention Unit, we held the tabletop exercise on ICSINT for Southeast Asia. So, ladies and gentlemen, the convention currently has 127 state parties. It's still far from reaching universality. So we still need to work together to achieve the universalization of the convention, and the UODC will remain commitment to join the force with our partner to support member states in this regard. And also, I wish you a fruitful and successful discussion. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Ms. Li, for these opening remarks. And I have the pleasure of inviting Ms. Elena Buklova, Director of the Division of Nuclear Security, Department of Nuclear Safety and Security of IAEA, to deliver her remarks.

Thank you very much. Excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen. On behalf of the International Atomic Energy Agency, it is my pleasure to welcome you to this jointly organized event. From the beginning, I would like to highlight the importance of the international legal framework in achieving the highest levels of nuclear security globally. The International Convention for the Suppression of the Acts of Nuclear Terrorism, together with the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material and its amendment, or CPPNM and its amendment, are key components of this framework empowering states against criminal acts involving nuclear and other radioactive material. Effective nuclear security regimes are built on this legal framework. This legal framework is essential because it sets the ground for international cooperation and assistance, and it also helps to ensure that those participating in criminal acts are brought to justice and are denied safe havens. It goes without saying that the more countries join these conventions, the stronger the legal framework becomes and the stronger the international nuclear security regime becomes. Ladies and gentlemen, the IAEA plays a recognized central role in strengthening the nuclear security framework globally and in coordinating international activities in this field. As part of that role, the IAEA helps States adhere to, and implement the instruments in the area of nuclear security through various legislative and technical assistance tools. The CPPNM has been essential to nuclear security around the world since its entry into force on 8 February 1987. The 2005 amendment expanded the scope of the CPPNM to cover nuclear facilities and nuclear material in domestic use, storage, and transport, and provides a foundation to establish effective nuclear security regimes at the national level. We already heard that this year marks several important anniversaries. Let me add another one in the list, because this year also marks 10th anniversary of the entry into force —of the amendment of the CPPNM, and we are delighted to witness a growing global commitment to this significant legal instrument. As of today, there are 165 parties of the CPPNM, of which 138 have joined the amendment. The Director-General of the IAEA has a role as depository of the CPPNM and its amendment. In addition, the IAEA is in fact tasked with certain specific functions under the CPPNM and its amendment, as well as for IXANT. These functions, approved by the IAEA Board of Governors, are primarily related to facilitating international cooperation, information sharing, and assistance in the event of criminal acts having taken place. Ladies and gentlemen, as we continue to advance the peaceful use of nuclear science and technology, the objective we are aiming at, it is important to acknowledge and address the risks associated with the potential misuse of nuclear and other radioactive material. These nuclear security threats are real and they are— continue to evolve. Since any state could be affected by an act of nuclear terrorism, all states have a responsibility to strengthen collective capacity to prevent such materials from being used to cause harm. This is a risk we cannot take. The establishment and maintenance of a strong legal framework to prevent and combat such criminal acts is a fundamental part of this effort, emphasizing criminal deterrence and accountability. To conclude, the IAEA actively collaborates with Member States and international organizations, including UNODC, UNCT, and UNICRI, to promote further adherence to and full implementation of the Nuclear Security International Legal Framework. Framework, reinforcing the shared commitment to strengthening global nuclear security. I thank you.

Thank you very much, Ms. Buklova, and also for the excellent cooperation that we're enjoying. I now give the floor finally to Mr. Oren McCarthy, the New York liaison officer of UNICREAM.

Over to you.

Thank you, Ulrich. Excellencies, distinguished colleagues, ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of UNICREAM, United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute. First of all, allow me to thank UNOCT and our fellow partners for organizing this important discussion and for their continued efforts to promote the universalization and effective implementation of ICSAMs. When we discuss nuclear security, much of the conversation understandably focuses on the legal frameworks, international commitments, and treaty obligations. These are essential, but ultimately their success depends on implementation in practice. ICSANT provides the legal foundations, but translating its provisions into action requires operational preparedness, institutional coordination, and practical cooperation between the many actors responsible for the prevention, detection, and responding to nuclear and radiological threats. From UNICUE's perspective, this is where we focus our efforts through both our nuclear security program and through the European Union CBRN Risk Mitigation Centers of Excellence initiative. We work closely with member states to translate international commitments into practical capabilities. Our focus is on strengthening capacities, improving coordination, and supporting the development of trusted networks amongst practitioners, primarily within the criminal justice space. In the Middle East, for instance, we recently concluded the ARZ 2025 exercise, which is the third counter-terrorism CBRN field exercise in Lebanon. Which focused on strengthening interagency cooperation to address radiological and nuclear threats. This exercise brought together national authorities and more than 10 international partners and organizations to test and validate capacities developed over several years. It highlighted how sustained cooperation, capacity building, and strengthening institutional resilience, even in highly complex geopolitical environments, is critical. Similarly, across Central Asia, Africa and Southeast Asia, we have supported training activities, exercises, and regional cooperation initiatives designed to strengthen preparedness and improve operational responses. As a further example, last December, in partnership with UNOCT, we convened a regional tabletop exercise in Tashkent, bringing together authorities from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan to test intelligence sharing and operational and cooperation mechanisms relevant to the implementation of the convention. And next week in Yaoundé, together with UNOCT once again, we will support a regional exercise involving Benin, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, and Senegal, focused on testing operational responses and strengthening regional preparedness. While the context differs, the objective remains the same: ensuring that the principles contained within INCENT are translated into practical capabilities and effective cooperation mechanisms. Increasingly, however, this also requires attention to emerging challenges. Preventing acts of nuclear terrorism depends not only on effective law enforcement cooperation, but also on stronger public-private partnerships, which are essential to secure supply chains, identify suspicious procurement networks, and detect proliferation financing activities before sensitive materials can be diverted for malicious purposes. Ladies and gentlemen, preventing acts of nuclear terrorism requires legal frameworks, but it also requires sustained cooperation through regular exercises, information sharing, and continued investment in the people and institutions responsible for implementing these commitments on the ground. UNECU remains committed to supporting member states in this regard and to working closely with UNOCT as well as our other partners in UNODA, UNODC, the IAEA, European Commission, Interpol, and the many more that play a role in strengthening international cooperation and operational preparedness. On behalf of UNECU, thank you once again.

Thank you very much for those remarks, Oren. And with that, we will move to our first segment on focusing on how IKSAND contributes to strengthening nuclear security and counter-terrorism efforts globally. It will be presented by the two implementing partners of the IKSAND project, the two Marias. I'm conscious of the time and want to make sure that we have time also to hear from our guests. I'm so grateful if both of you can keep it crisp and short. Thank you.

Thank you very much, dear participants.

I promise I will be brief. We just want to walk you a little bit about a very practical presentation on ICSN. I think we have understood from our main speakers in the opening remarks that radiological nuclear terrorism is a threat, but now we want to get into more the practical details of how this impacts member states and also regional security and stability. So, with that said, we will start with a small video, a short video on a case study on Tajikistan and how this project helped make progress towards the universalization of ICJEM, but also effective implementation. So, just a very 2 minutes, bear with me, with a video. So thank you very much. So this is a, an example of how through this project we have been supporting member states for from the ratification process or adherence process to effective implementation. So we wanted to share that. And then I wanted to brief you a little bit about my presentation and how it's structured. So just to understand a little bit more ICSAN, I will walk you through what, why, who, and when. So hopefully this will be an interesting presentation for you. So one-third of states are still not party to ICSAN. ICNT. 20 years after the adoption of ICNT, substantial progress has been achieved. Today, around two-thirds of states have joined the convention, demonstrating a broad international recognition of the importance of preventing and responding to acts of nuclear terrorism. However, the universalization has yet to be fully realized. Although there is widespread support for the objectives of the convention, the challenge today is reaching the remaining states that have not yet adhered and have an understanding what is preventing this progress. This really matters because every additional State Party strengthens the global legal framework for preventing, investigating, and prosecuting acts involving radioactive and nuclear materials. So if support for the Convention is broadly shared, why have some States still not joined? So moving into the why. Um, so UNOCT, through this project in partnership with the non-governmental organization Vertic— sorry, I, uh, Vertic— has conducted a study and it has been distributed. You have it on your table. This is the study. So we are launching it today after a series of regional events with the African Union, the Organization of American States, and also on the sidelines of the NPT. We produced this study just to understand the reasons and challenges for states for not joining ICSAN, as well as the effective implementation practices. The study found that barriers are largely practical rather than political, and the study is available online, but also, as I mentioned before, its hard copies are distributed here today. There is also a link in the presentation. So in terms of barriers, so we kind of have the structure of the study divided into which are, which are the problems and which are the solutions. So if we are to talk about the awareness gap, many officials are simply unfamiliar with the extent, its benefits, and the support available for help to join. For instance, in the survey conducted for the study, 71% of respondents identified a general lack of awareness. Second, there is a relevance gap. Sorry, I'm going to go through all with my presentation. So second, there is a relevance gap. Some states, particularly those without nuclear facilities, do not immediately see how the convention applies to them, even though radioactive materials are widely used in areas such as medicine, agriculture, and industry. And I think this has been highlighted by many speakers prior to my intervention. Third, there is a capacity gap. So legal reviews, interministerial consultations, and legislative drafting all require time and expertise that might be limited. There is also, finally, an assistance gap. Support exists, but many states are not fully aware of these tools, expertise, and assistance that are available to them. In fact, 62% of the survey respondents of this study said that avenues for assistance were not sufficiently publicized. But the good news is that also through the study we have found some solutions. So when we talk about awareness raising, to address this awareness gap, states themselves highlighted that the value of outreach and awareness raising activities, so activities like such as the one we are having today discussing with member states the relevance and importance and the practicalities of the Convention implementation are very important. For instance, to address the relevance gap, member states also identified that regional workshop tabletop exercises help demonstrate the relevance of ICSANs at the operational level. When we talk about capacity gap, states emphasized the importance of practical training and legal assistance. And lastly, to address the assistance gap, states identified the need for accessible tools, such as modern legislation, legal analysis tool, and sustained support throughout the process. So, member states have told us clear needs, and that's what is reflected on the study. So, who? Moving to who. Everybody plays a role. So, achieving universality and effective implementation is not the responsibility of a single actor. I take a moment here to reflect about the theme of this CT Week and the importance of multilateralism and working hand by hand with partners. ICSANT full potential could be achieved only if all the stakeholders take action. So, for instance, we have states that are not yet party. They can take the first step by initiating national discussions, requesting support, and joining the convention. For instance, state parties have the obligation to effectively implement ICSANT but they could also have a multiplier effect by sharing experiences with other member states, lessons learned, and practical examples of implementation. International organizations— we can contribute in providing tailored assistance, training, legal expertise, and partnering with international community to enhance safety and security and, of course, promote ICSNT. And importantly, partners and donors— they can help us to sustain a long-term support that many states required. So the main idea here is that universalization advances most effectively when every stakeholder contributes where they can, and we generate a greater impact. So how? So OCT, with the funding of the European Union and in collaboration with UNODC, has been implementing work to promote and support universalization of ICSAN and its effective implementation since 2009. 2019, sorry. One important lesson from the project is that progress really comes from a single workshop or one single event. Instead, successful assistance follows a journey. It often begins with awareness raising and national discussions that build understanding and political support. This is also followed by legal review to identify gaps in national legislation. States can also receive support in drafting legislation and completing ratification procedures or adherence procedures. Finally, the implementation assistance helps to ensure that legal obligations are translated into practice, and also practical trainings can follow to build capacity. So moving on to— when— sorry. So just one minute. So basically, through this initiative, more than 1,000 officials from over 120 member states have participated in the training and capacity building. But the most important is not the 1,000, the number, but behind every participant there is a policymaker, a legal advisor, a prosecutor, a diplomat, or a technical expert who returns home with the knowledge needed. So just mostly to conclude, we want to promote that we're working with the European Union and UNODC in the next phase of this project. So it's expected approval from next week from the European Council. But very quickly, we from OCT side, we will be working on visibility and advocacy events like today one. For instance, this is an example. We had a side event of the NPT, and you see the special envoy of the European Union sitting next to Mauro, and also Ambassador Okege from the IEA and a representative of Tajikistan. So that's how we collaborate together. We will be also working in regional workshops and tabletop exercises. So we will be having 3. I think this is of interest for member states in different regions of the world. Uh, we normally focus on detection, forensics, response, and mitigation. My presentation will be available for whoever wants to reach, so no problems. And, um, 3 regional and sub-regional peer-to-peer workshops. As we advance with the project, we notice that it's very important the member states talk to each other and share experiences. And we will have 1 national training as well from our rich portfolio of training that we have been disseminated to the project. So with that, I thank you, and I hope I make it on time, Moderator. Thank you.

Just. So thank you very much, Maria. I'll turn it now to the other Maria, Maria Lorenzo Sobrado, who is the head of the CBRN Terrorism Prevention Programme of the UNODC's Terrorism Prevention Branch. Over to you, Maria.

Thank you very much, Ulrich. Good afternoon, everyone, Excellencies, dear panellists, esteemed colleagues. It is a great pleasure to be here today and to brief you on the work that UNODC has been carrying out for 21 years since the adoption of ICSAN in 2005. We do so thanks to our donors: European Union, sponsor of this event today, Canada, and the United States of America. And UNODC is delighted to discuss our work among so many partners and states we work with, so the word of this City Week comes to mind: multilateralism. I will just give you a brief overview of the work that we are doing and why we are doing it. ICSAN has some common key provisions on criminalization, jurisdiction, and international cooperation. This is common to all international legal instruments against terrorism. Our functions related to ICSANT are now with— under the umbrella of us being the Secretariat for everything that is non-depository functions. We are in charge of providing states with assistance with regard to the designation of competent authorities and liaison points, to assist them also with regard to the optional jurisdiction, also with the outcomes of national proceedings. And with regard to the competent authorities and liaison points that I was mentioning before, we held in March this year the first meeting of competent authorities and liaison points, which was very successful, and it was the culmination of a campaign that we launched to revitalize these points of contact, because when we started, out of the 120-something at the time states parties to ICSAN, only 20 had designated focal points, and now that number, thanks to this campaign, has greatly increased. We are also holding— ICSAN does not foresee conference of states parties, But for the past 3 main anniversaries, we have been holding high-level events to commemorate entry into force. The next one, the 20th anniversary of the entry into force, will take place next year in Vienna. Our mandate to work on IKSAN is reiterated on a regular basis by the General Assembly and is conferred to us by the member states. Of course. As I mentioned before, these are our donors that enable us to assist states with the universalization and effective implementation of FIGSAND. We started years ago focusing, of course, on universalization and raising awareness, and while we keep doing that, we have been moving on as it is demanded by states parties to help them on how to effectively implement the Convention through legislative assistance, through tabletop exercises, through mock trials, through a variety of means, always adapted to the needs of the different states at the regional, at the national level. Here I will show you just some select activities on what we have been doing for many years on universalization. I trust that the presentation will be circulated because you see the hyperlinks where you can find all the details on each of these events. You can see, for example, as an example of our excellent cooperation with the IAEA, our joint events to promote universalization of FIGSAN and the amendment to the CPPNM. Here you can also see some of our country visits, regional workshops, our Youth Academy to promote the convention among young diplomats of states not yet party, and high-level seminars like the one we had yesterday funded by the U.S. in Vienna, Nairobi, Geneva, and New York to raise awareness among new diplomats who might not be familiar. We also do some regional events. Recently we had a webinar on ICSAM for CARICOM countries in cooperation with CARICOM. Here I would like to show you the 7 most recent adherents, adherences to ICSAN, which happened as a direct result of very close cooperation and accompanying of UNODC of the recipient states. The most recent adherence was the one of Ecuador in February 2025. How about effective implementation? I will show you also a snapshot of our select activities. We do judicial trainings for— national judicial trainings for judges and prosecutors. We also do mock trials where we bring together frontline officers, law enforcement, nuclear forensic experts, judges, prosecutors, and we walk them through a fictional case where we end up with a real mock trial where the case is adjudicated. We are also doing tabletop exercises with our border management grant— branch and in cooperation with Interpol, and we also bring experts from the IAEA and other relevant stakeholders where what we do is also through a fictional scenario show what should be done in the case of the detection of a radioactive source and a crime that happens under I mentioned before the first meeting of the exam points of contact. In our website, you can find all the information on this. Right now, we increase the number from 20 to 69 points of contact. We have a long way to go. There are some states in the room that I, I have already recognized as parties, but that they have not yet designated a point of contact. So I will be trying to discuss with you bilaterally. And here you have our tools for effective implementation, which you can find in our website. The most recent are some developed under funding of the European Union on model legislative provisions that we had developed years ago, on synergies among the ICSID, CPPNM, and its amendment, complementarities with Resolution 1540, jurisdictional aspects of ICSID. By the door, you have a QR where you can access our website, which is which has all this information and more available in all 6 UN official languages. Our latest tool is a video on the procedural history of ICSANT. Here you have the QR to see directly. It's also available through subtitles in all UN official languages, and it features practitioners, experts, representatives of member states, and here we see the special envoy of the European Union. This is the website I mentioned before. It has received over 140,000 visits, and it's really a repository of all information existing on ICPSR, not only in all 6 UN official languages, but also many documents have been translated at the request of states and thanks to our donors in many other languages. Very briefly, this is our last slide. Our mandate: we are headquartered in Vienna, but we have a very vast field presence which helps us deliver in a timely manner and have effective collaboration with national authorities. Also, the effective partnerships with relevant partners, all of these in the table, for instance. Um, we are the depository of conventions against organized crime, which means that ICPSR, which also covers acts committed with a criminal intent other than terrorist, benefits from the in-house expertise we also have on other types of crimes. And we have a proven track record of work for the past two decades in promoting ICSANT and an extensive expertise in counter-terrorism in the area of preventing radiological and nuclear terrorism. Plus, we are a multilingual team that speaks more than 11 languages, and this has proven very effective in terms of surpassing language barriers that sometimes are one of the impediments to becoming party to ICSAN. With this, I thank you very much. I invite you to avail yourself of all the documents we have developed, and here you also have our email addresses in case you have any questions or would like more information.

Thank you. Thank you very much, Maria, and also for keeping within the time. Much appreciated. We will now turn to the importance of international partnerships and institutional synergies in advancing nuclear security objectives, and I'm delighted to give the floor back to Ms. Buklova. Over to you.

Thank you very much, Excellencies, distinguished delegates. Let me now contribute to presenting the full picture of the topic which we are discussing during this side event. By building on what was already provided by our collaborators with whom we closely work together with you to this important topic. Well, first of all, let me mention that we are all living in the times with rapid technological changes. I think everybody would agree, but also with evolving security threats. And in such situation, international community must remain united even more than ever, to prevent nuclear terrorism, and to make sure that all of us together assist member states in addressing their needs in this area. This is why international cooperation is so important, and it's also important within the topics we are discussing today, ex ante, also at additional angle which I mentioned already regarding CPPNM and its amendment. You heard already the word universalization in the previous presentations, and I would like also to add a little bit more explanation of how does IAEA is utilizing its central role in strengthening nuclear security globally by coordinating international assistance for universalization of amended CBPNM. There are different tools which we are utilizing, and you have information about some of these tools in front of you on the table. Of course, this starts from capacity building efforts, and there are various training courses on all subjects of nuclear security which we are providing by member states' request nationally, regionally, and internationally. There are also peer reviews, and you have a brochure in front of you with abbreviation of IPAS, it's International Physical Protection Advisory Service. Even by the title you see the direct relevance to the conventions, to the, for example, CPPNM and its amendment. And we also have a frame within which, together with countries, we assess what is a country need and how is the best to achieve it based on prioritization done by the country. This frame is also in abbreviated way called INSSP, Integrated Nuclear Security Sustainability Plan. Within this plan, it's multi-year plan, we together with the countries, with the recipients and with the donors work towards achieving the objectives. Just give you a few numbers of the extent and the breadth of activities which we are doing. 94 member states of the IAEA have signed plans, INSSP plans. 110 IPAS missions were already conducted since its beginning in '90s of the last century. And for the extent of capacity building which we are doing, only for last year as an example, Around 4,000 trainees benefited from our training courses through more than 150 events which we conducted. Many of these events are conducted with expertise of international organizations with which we collaborate, and there is always ongoing dialogue of how can we do it even better, even more effective, in order to avoid duplications of efforts, because I think it's essential. Everyone would agree with this. Now I would like also to say that I think for both ICSANT and CBPNM and its amendment, there is an important emphasis on the international cooperation. And this is essential, this international cooperation, for first of all, for the reason of information sharing, and operational coordination. There were quite a few examples presented already by UNOCT and UNODC about the events which we conducted jointly. So it goes without saying with a demonstration of how it works together and the importance of this operational coordination. And also I mentioned already coordination among the international organizations, this is similarly important. Uh, talking about capacity building, I would like also to mention, uh, the existence of a very unique facility which IAEA put together and inaugurated in October of 2023. It's IAEA's Nuclear Security Training and Demonstration Center. The only international training center in nuclear security. Many of the participants from countries around these tables were already there. I'm pretty sure to say this because since the start of the operation in October 2023, uh, already more than 4,000 participants from 133— 137 member states were trained there through around 140 events. So you see, we are not yet 3 years in operation, but it's already quite significant numbers. And part of these events also train the trainers, which means amplifying the outcomes and increasing the knowledge in countries. So, and all of this is to implement CPPNM and its amendment and also contribute to IKSAND because, as I say, these are very important pillars of legal framework for nuclear security. So I think that all of us would agree that universalization adherence to these important legal instruments, it's very important for strengthening nuclear security. But let me bring another angle of why it is important. It's important to strengthen public confidence in the peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology. We are talking about peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology. We are talking about increased number of countries who build their nuclear power programs. Well, SMRs, if I bring on the table, so this is also topic of discussion. So public confidence is essential and our efforts on universalization, on presenting and explaining robust legal framework for nuclear security regime is important for the public. Raising awareness was mentioned overall, but it's also valid for the public. Through raising awareness, we are increasing the public confidence. I would like to conclude by saying that IAEA stands ready to continue supporting member states through legal and technical assistance. Guidance and training. As I mentioned, several examples are on your table. Please feel free to reach out to us. How can we assist and work together even better? Because together we can ensure that nuclear and other radioactive material remain secure, allowing the expansion of peaceful uses of nuclear technology for the benefits of sustainable development. Thank you.

Thank you very much again, Mr. Oklova, for that very interesting insight to the work of IAEA on this topic. With that, I invite Ms. Mariette Del Carmen Muñoz González, Director of Counterterrorism at Interpol, to share perspectives on international law enforcement cooperation in preventing and responding to threats involving nuclear and other radioactive materials. Over to you.

Thank you very much for giving me the floor. Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, good morning. On behalf of Interpol, allow me to extend our appreciation to our esteemed colleagues at UNODC, UNICRI, the Agency, and the European Union for organizing this important event and for giving us the opportunity to contribute in recognition of the key role of law enforcement in nuclear security. We will— we will all agree that the consequences of a malicious incident involving radioactive materials would be unique and far-reaching. With the global movement of criminals and terrorists, law enforcement agencies must be prepared to counter and respond to deliberate incidents or the consequences of unintentional incidents. Regardless of whether a country has radioactive materials or facilities, radioactive material can and is being trafficked across borders, whether it is for criminal or terrorist intention or for unlawful disposal as waste. Reports of incidents involving radioactive materials persist across multiple regions worldwide, whether the Americas, Europe, Asia, or the Middle East. No region is immune to the threat. Any, any regulatory gaps or any security vulnerabilities can potentially grant criminals access to these materials. In 2025 alone, INTERPOL learned of 416 radiological and nuclear incidents globally, ranging from unauthorized shipment and disposal to theft and cyber-related incidents. Indeed, thanks to a dedicated team of experts and its GAGA project, INTERPOL closely monitors the occurrence of radiological and nuclear incidents. Our incident collection strategy includes direct reporting from law enforcement agencies of Interpol's 196 member countries, in-person bilateral or coordination meetings, and open-source media reports scanning. Interpol also built— on the reporting by regulators to the agency, liaising with law enforcement to get a detailed account of investigations to ensure threats are appropriately understood and categorized. Further, we are proactively gathering information through 4 very active regional information sharing working groups: the Black Sea and Caucasus, the Central Asia, the Southern Africa, and the Southeast Asia one. By fostering a trust-based environment at the regional level, Project Geiger has successfully encouraged law enforcement agencies to share intelligence, allowing the country to weigh threat and risk and ensure they have or built an effective response and investigative capacity. For example, in May 2025, during the Southern Africa Working Group, 6 concrete cases linked to the illicit use of radioactive materials were reported for the first time to an international organization. In return, and with the state's permission, we proactively share the collective information with other member countries through secure channels, including analytical reports, digests, bulletins, and our notice system, to ensure that they are equipped with the latest insights and knowledge. To give law enforcement the ability to perform their work, an appropriate legal framework is essential. Being party to ICEND and the amendments CPPNM NM, and adopting comprehensive nuclear legislation will help build a national emergency response structure capable of providing accurate and rapid coordinated response when an incident occurs. Thanks to the criminalization of key offenses in your national criminal or penal legislation, your law enforcement agencies will be able to conduct investigations, and it will also ensure your countries don't— doesn't serve inadvertently as safe havens for criminals, lowering the risk that non-state actors exploit these substances to destabilize national institutions. Further, transnational cases and investigations require consistent consistent legal frameworks and mechanisms for criminal justice systems to be able to work together. Being party to ICSINT and the amendments CPPNM and fully implementing them will give your law enforcement the ability to detain and bring offenders to justice. Finally, detecting and investigating radiological and nuclear incidents demands highly specialized skills within law enforcement. Whenever a new law is adopted, it naturally drives the need to enhance law enforcement capabilities to the level required for its enforcement. Interpol plays a very vital role in this process. We identify and prioritize member countries facing the highest against radiological and nuclear threats and engage with them long-term, provide them measurable intelligence-driven support tailored to their needs. For example, in 2025 alone, we organized 12 training sessions benefiting over 280 individuals, better preparing them to deliver an effective end-to-end response to nuclear security incidents. This would not be possible without the support of Global Affairs Canada, UK Department of— sorry, US— UK Department of Energy Security and Net-Zero, and the US Department of Energy, which I would like to thank. In this technical field, law enforcement cannot act alone. Multi-stakeholder engagement is essential to address the threat effectively. At the international level, collaboration among all relevant organizations is equally critical. Interpol works closely with partners like UNODC, the agency, and UNOCT. Indeed, contribution to each other's training and awareness programs ensure that the law enforcement voice is included and understood by the scientific and technical community. Coordination through platforms such as the Border Monitoring Working Group and the Agency Information Exchange mechanism also ensures coherence among us. Together, through shared expertise, coordinated action, and unwavering commitment, we can build a safer, more secure A future for all. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Ms. Muñoz González, for emphasizing the importance of operational cooperation in this regard. We will now turn to some of the member state perspectives on regional approaches to promoting IKSAN adherence and implementation. And I would like to— since we have a video statement, I would like to defer first to His Excellency the— and invite Mr. Stanislav Vasilenko, Ambassador-at-Large Akhmedov, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, to take the floor.

Thank you. Dear Chair, it's my honour to address to you, Excellencies, distinguished colleagues and distinguished friends. I saw my, let's say, not colleague but brother, You see, our diplomatic world is not so big, so we— it's a good opportunity to meet here one more time. Just yesterday I have been in UN office in ODC, so one more time diplomatic world are very close. Let me briefly inform you about Kazakhstan's position and what we are doing in this sphere. First of all, Kazakhstan welcomes the convening of these timely discussions on strengthening multilateral cooperation to enhance nuclear security on counterterrorism. For my country, this topic is not abstract. Kazakhstan made a historical choice to close the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site and voluntarily renounce the nuclear arsenal inherited after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Since then, nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation, and nuclear security have been central pillars for Kazakhstan's foreign policy. Today, the threat of nuclear terrorism remains one of the most serious risks to international peace and security. It is a low probability for extremely high-impact threat. Even a single incident involving radioactive material, sabotage of a nuclear nuclear facility or the use of the radiologic dispersal device would have consequences far beyond national borders. That is why my country, Kazakhstan, considers IKSANT as essential part of the global counterterrorism architecture. Kazakhstan signed IXAMPP in 2005. As previous speakers has announced, this year is one more anniversary and ratified in 2008. The convention now has 127 state parties, but the utilization has not yet been achieved. This gap matters. Terrorist networks exploit legal, institutional, and operational gaps. A fragmented legal framework weakens our collective ability to prevent, investigate, prosecute, and punish acts involving nuclear and radioactive materials. In our view, the value of IKSAND lies in 3 practical areas. First of all, it criminalized concrete acts related to nuclear terrorism, including possession, use, threat, attempt, and participation. This is important because prevention starts with clear domestic criminal legislation. Second, it creates a basic for jurisdiction, extradition, and mutual legal assistance. Nuclear terrorism cannot cannot be addressed by one country all alone. Evidence, suspect materials, and financial chains may be located in different jurisdictions. EXAMS helps states cooperate through established legal channels. Third, it links counterterrorism with nuclear security. The convention complements other instruments, including the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material, and its amendments, as well as IAFER guidance and the system mechanism. From Kazakhstan's perspective, universalization of ICSANT should be accompanied by effective implementation. Ratification is necessary, but it's only the first step. We believe that implementation should focus on several concrete priorities. One more— five— yeah, five priorities. First, states should review and, where necessary, update national criminal legislation to ensure that all offense under EXANT are fully covered. This concludes not only the actual use of radioactive material but also threat, attempt, accomplice, liability and unlawful possession. Second, states should strengthen border, customs, and law enforcement capabilities to detect and interdict illicit trafficking of nuclear or radioactive materials. This requires equipment, training, information sharing, and clear operational protocol. Third, national authorities must be able to investigate nuclear security-related offenses. Prosecutors, judges, and investigators need special knowledge. As many countries, the challenge is not political will but technical and legal capacity. Fourth, states should improve coordination between nuclear regulators, intelligence service, law enforcement, customs, emergency response authorities, and prosecutor Nuclear security cannot function in institutional silos. Fifth, international organizations should continue providing targeted assistance. We highly value the role of United Nations Office of Counterterrorism, the International Atomic Energy Agency, and the other partners in supporting legislative reviews, capacity building, and technical cooperation. Kazakhstan also supports stronger regional cooperation. In Central Asia, our countries have a direct interest in preventing the illicit movement of radioactive materials, strengthening border security, and protecting critical infrastructure. Regional dialogue, joint exercise, and practical information exchange can significantly enhance pre— Kazakhstan has sought to contribute to global nuclear security through concrete action. We host the IAEA Low Enrichment Uranium Bank in Oskemen, which becomes operational in 2019. This project demonstrates that peaceful nuclear energy, non-proliferation, and nuclear security can reinforce each other.— when supported by trust, transparency, and multilateral cooperation. We also attach importance to the Central Asian Nuclear Weapons Free Zone, which reflects our regional longstanding commitment to reducing nuclear risks. Looking ahead, Kazakhstan would like to underline 3 messages. First, all states that have not yet joint EXANT should consider doing as a matter of priority. Universal participation would close legal safe havens and strengthen the principle of extradite or persecute. Second, state— status parties should move from formal adherence to practical readiness. Laws must be enforceable. Institutional— institutions must be prepared. Cooperation channels must work before a crisis occurs. Third, nuclear security and counterterrorism must remain firmly multilateral. No state is immune from this threat and no state can address it alone. Kazakhstan stands ready to work with member states, United Nations agencies, regional partners to promote the— and effective implementation of EXANT. In conclusion, the goal is clear: to ensure that nuclear and radioactive materials never fall into the hands of terrorists and that our legal, institutional, and operational systems are strong enough to prevent detection and response to such threats. I finish, but let me say a couple of words not about This topic, I invite everyone to forthcoming side event that we are going to hold together with my Central Asian countries on the first— sorry, on the— yeah, 1st of July. The topic will be Central Asian Experiences on the Prosecution, Rehabilitation, and Reintegration of Returnees from Conflict Zone., and we are happy that, among others, one of the speakers will be a woman who has been in Syria, in Al-Hol camp, who has been repatriated by Kazakh authorities 6 years ago, so she will tell her real life, real story. Please come.

Thank you very much. Thank you very much, Excellency. I'll be there, looking forward to it, and thank you for your statement and also for the for the continuous support of Kazakhstan to our office, including to my team. We are very grateful, even if we lost one colleague just the other day, who's going back to the ministry, I know. With that, I will turn— we will now watch the video statement from Ms. Cristina Camacho Terán, the Director of Human Rights and Peace Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility of Ecuador. I apologize, we are running a little late, but I think we can wrap up within the next 10, 15 minutes. Thank you.

Your Excellencies, dear colleagues, good afternoon. I would like to begin thanking the European Union, UNODC, and the co-organizers for inviting Ecuador to this panel. I am glad to bring Ecuador's approach to the universalization and implementation of the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism, ICSAN. The Convention is a key instrument within the international legal framework against terrorism. It establishes clear obligations to criminalize conduct related to the use of, or threat of use of, nuclear and other radioactive materials, and it strengthens international cooperation in mutual legal assistance, extradition, and information exchange. It was the first legally binding instrument to reach beyond nuclear material to radioactive material more broadly, sources used every day in medicine, industry, agriculture, and research, and present in almost every country. That is why the Convention matters to all States, including those with no nuclear infrastructure, as the case of Ecuador. In an increasingly complex security environment, the universalization of this Convention remains a shared priority for the international community. Ecuador deposited its instrument, its instrument of accession on the 7th of February, 2025, becoming the most recent member and the 127th State Party. We did so as an expression of our commitment to multilateralism and to combating terrorism in all its forms. That step was the result of an important inter-institutional work to ensure the Convention's compatibility with our national legal framework. It was approved by the National Assembly and ratified by the executive. Later, it was incorporated into our domestic law. Throughout the accession process, we relied on UNODC, in particular, its CBRN terrorism prevention program, and on the projects that UNOCT and UNODC have run with the support of the European Union and other partners since 2019, including an in-country mission to Ecuador in June 2024. Accession opened a process of progressive implementation. Ecuador is assessing reforms to its criminal code to reinforce the criminalization of the misuse of nuclear or radioactive material for terrorist purposes and to strengthen our investigative and prosecutorial capacities. This work follows three lines: adapting the legal framework, deepening international cooperation, and building institutional capacity. Ecuador places this within a broader commitment to nonproliferation. Security Council Resolution 1540 requires every state to adopt and enforce laws that keep nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons and related materials away from non-state actors. From 2023 to 2024, Ecuador served as non-permanent member of the Security Council. During its tenure as chair of the 1540 Committee, Equador highlighted the difficulties in fully implementing the resolution due to several factors, including the lack of adequate financial resources, technical expertise, legal frameworks, and implementation capabilities. In 2024, my country prepared and presented its first Voluntary National Action Plan 2025-2028 for the implementation of Resolution 1540. The plan's objective is to strengthen our national mechanisms against terrorism and keep dual-use materials that could serve to develop weapons of mass destruction out of the reach of non-state actors, including groups linked to terrorism. A key lesson from Ecuador's experience is the importance of a comprehensive approach to implementation, combining legal and regulatory reforms with institutional capacity building and specialized training for justice operators. These measures also have to respect human rights and due process. Without doubt, international cooperation has been essential in closing technical and legal gaps. My country has participated in regional training sessions, legislative workshops, simulation exercises, and exchanges of best practices, which have significantly contributed to strengthening inter-institutional coordination and improving the operational understanding of the challenges associated with the implementation of ICINT. For instance, last March, we took part in an UNODC regional exercise, a criminal investigation and mock trial based on the Convention that tested coordination among our authorities. I would like to underline that this side event falls in the year that marks 20 years of the United Nations Global Counterterrorism Strategy and its 9th review. It is a fitting moment to renew our commitment. Ecuador's experience shows that accession is within the reach of every state and that the benefits are visible in a stronger national framework and in a firmer national— international regime against nuclear and radiological terrorism. Ecuador reaffirms its commitment to multilateralism, to international cooperation, and to the effective implementation of the universal counterterrorism instruments. We encourage states that have not yet joined the convention to do so and to draw on the technical assistance available, including through UNODC, the International Atomic Energy Agency, and UNOCT. Thank you very much.

We thank Ms. Camacho Terán for that statement and for the good example that they are setting in Ecuador for the ratification of IKSAN. We turn last to— on this session to Mr. Idris Mounir Lalali, Director of the African Union Counterterrorism Centre, to provide a regional perspective on promoting adherence and implementation to IKSAN.

Thank you. Over to you.

Thank you very much. I'll try to be as brief as possible because I'm in the way of the closing remarks, I think, being the last speaker this— in this side event. Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, distinguished participants, allow me first of all to thank UNOCT and the co-organizers for inviting the African Union to this side event and also allowing us the space and time to be able to share with you our regional perspective. Globally, I think we heard that 69 nations, or roughly 69 nations, have yet to become party to, uh, extent. Uh, nearly 40% of that global gap sits on our continent, and it— this means Africa holds the key to changing the global matrix on nuclear counterterrorism. By resolving our own internal legislative bottlenecks and accelerating ratification within the African Union, uh, we don't just secure our own borders, We single-handedly closed nearly 40% of the remaining legal vulnerabilities that are still hindering and impacting the global security net. Indeed, when we talk about ISCAN, we are talking about a global net designed to catch non-state criminal actors. But a net is only as strong as the anchor points. For Africa, or the continent, or the African continent, that anchor point is the Pelindaba Treaty. By establishing a nuclear weapon-free zone, African member states did not just reject state-level nuclear proliferation, they drew in 1996, that is, a definitive line in the sand against nuclear terrorism long before the ICAN or ACENT was adopted in 2005. The— while the Pelindaba Treaty makes Africa a nuclear weapon-free zone. It does not, however, make it a nuclear risk-free zone. Radioactive sources are used across the continent in hospitals, mining, agriculture, research, and industrial application. African— every African state has materials, facilities, or transport chain that require regulations and protections. Meanwhile, across the Sahel and beyond, decentralized terrorist groups or networks exploit fragmentation between customs, border agencies, regulatory bodies, and law enforcement. These are exactly the gaps ACCENT was designed to close. The barriers of accession are very well understood, and they are procedural, not political. Competing legislative priorities, limited awareness among decision makers, coordination challenges, across multiple national authorities. However, we have member states that have done, you know, quite some effort in that respect. Zimbabwe is one of them that demonstrated in 2024 that all of these can be overcome through sustained engagement. We have Ghana also as another example that is actively competing or completing its ratification, having signed, you know, the convention nearly 20 years ago. These are replicative or replicable paths, not exceptional cases. Excellencies, Africa is not starting from scratch. That's clear, and I hope I made it clear. If not, then I have to go back to my first paragraph. The institutional architecture under the Pillar of Aba Treaty through AFCON provides a ready foundation. The OCT Vertical Legislative Analysis Tool now offers States are practical instruments for mapping legal gaps and planning reforms, and the African Union's own Continental Strategic Plan of Action on Counterterrorism 2026-2030 that we're leading in developing integrates ICCT implementation within its legal harmonization and capacity building pillars. What the AUCTC, or the African Union Counterterrorism Center, asks for in this room is straightforward. First, that excellent universalization and effective implementation in Africa be approached through partnership, peer exchange, and targeted legislative assistance, not through pressure. Second, that implementation support be embedded in existing national and regional counterterrorism systems rather than treated as a standalone obligation. Third, that AFCON the AUCTC and regional economic communities be fully engaged as partners in delivering that support, not merely as recipients. In that regard, the AUCTC has taken an active role in driving this agenda. Earlier this month, on the 10th of June 2026, and I have to thank you for that, together with OCT, we convened over 100 participants from 21 African member states along AFCON Interpol, UNODC, UNODA, and Vertec to take stock of where member states or where the continent stands in ICSAT. The picture that emerged was clear. There is strong appetite among African member states for practical support, legislative guidance, and peer exchange, and there is a growing recognition that the path to accession is more accessible than many had assumed. That event was in itself a demonstration of the EU leadership on this field, and we intend to sustain the momentum through African Union Continental Plan of Action, as I said earlier, and through continued engagement with every partner in this room, in particular those ones sitting at the high table. The value of EXANT lies in prevention. It allows states to act before a crisis, cooperate before a threat crosses borders and prosecute before impunity becomes a vulnerability. For Africa, this is about strengthening our own resilience and ensuring that the gaps between our systems do not become opportunities for those who seek to exploit them.

Thank you very much. Thank you very much, Mr. Lalali, for that excellent statement and for the excellent partnership that we have in this project and beyond. Ladies and gentlemen, we are coming to the end and I would like to invite Ms. Anna Stracka, the Special Envoy for Counterterrorism of the European External Action Service of the European Union, to deliver the closing remarks. To you, Madame.

Good afternoon. I'm very glad to be able to join this very important event on behalf of the European Union. The International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism is a key pillar of global nuclear security. It is also a clear example of what can be achieved through a rules-based international system with the United Nations at its core. We are very grateful to the United Nations Office of Counterterrorism through its UNCT Center Global Programme on Preventing Terrorist Use of Weapons, and also to the UNODC Terrorist Prevention Branch through its CBRN Terrorism Prevention Programme for their work to promote the universalisation and implementation, implementation of IKSAND. Your outreach and capacity building activities, many of them funded by the European Union, have already benefited dozens of countries around the world. The work of UNOCT, UNODC, and also very importantly the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UNICRI, and Interpol remains indispensable for global nuclear security. The convention remains the only legally binding international instrument that criminalizes malicious acts involving nuclear or other radioactive safe material. It also provides the tools to bring perpetrators to justice. It helps states build strong legal frameworks and strengthens international cooperation so that there are no safe havens for those who would misuse such materials. In today's increasingly complex and volatile global security environment, the risk of nuclear and radiological attacks whether by terrorist groups or other malicious actors, can no longer be treated as remote or hypothetical. Attempts to acquire, traffic, or deploy radioactive materials underscores the urgent need for vigilance, preparedness, and robust legal frameworks. In a context marked by evolving and multifaceted threats, the importance of the convention continues to grow. The European Union is among the largest supporters of ICSANT, promoting its universalization and effective implementation in full respect of the rule of law and fundamental human rights. Very soon, a new EU project in support of ICSANT, again to be implemented by the UNODC and the UNOCT, will be adopted. Our aims remains to strengthen national capacity, enhance international cooperation, and collectively reduce the risk of nuclear terrorism while advancing the broader objectives of nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation, and international security. I would also once again like to thank UNOCT and UNODC for the very fruitful cooperation with the EU. So far, it has resulted in various outreach events learning and training tools, judicial education, tabletop exercises, and legislative assistance to interested States. These tools are at your disposal on the UNODC ICESAND website funded by the European Union. Ladies and gentlemen, the European Union encourages all UN Member States that have not yet done so to join the Convention. It is very important. By doing so, you will help advance our shared goal of universalization of ICSANT and strengthening the global nuclear security architecture worldwide. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Ms. Saskia, for those closing remarks and for the continued support of the European Union. As mentioned, we are looking forward to starting a third phase of this ICSANT project that we're implementing together with UNODC. So I encourage all member states that require the assistance to reach out to us. We look forward to working with you in the years to come. This closes the event. Thank you very much.