On 1, April the fourth Nuclear Security Summit (NSS) started in Washington DC in which leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, of more than 50 countries are taking part. Nuclear Security Summit , a world summit, aims at restraining nuclear terrorism across the world. The first summit was organized in 2010 in Washington DC, United States.
Number of countries participating in the 4th NSS
53 countries and global institutions which cover the 98% of the nuclear material on the earth are participating in the summit. North Korea and Iran are not invited and Putin, the President of Russia, because of his differences with President Barak Obama over Ukraine, is not attending this summit. It is imperative here to mention that Putin had attended all three previous summits.
Key aims of the Nuclear Security Summit
The aim of the Nuclear Security Summit is to accost concern about fissile materials going into the wrong hands at a head-of-state level. It comprises minimizing the use of Highly Enriched Uranium (HEU), aiding security at nuclear facilitates through improved national regulations and implementation of best practices, improved membership in International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), establishing measures to detect and impede illicit trafficking in nuclear and other radioactive materials. Its other aims are to establish Centres of Excellence, built capacity, expand technology and harmonize assistance on nuclear Security.
2016 Nuclear Security Summit Summit’s twin goals are:
- Invigorating the global nuclear security architecture.
- Promoting tangible improvements in nuclear security behavior.
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Limitations of the Nuclear Security Summit
83% of the nuclear material does not come within its ambit because Nuclear Security Summit covers nuclear material only for non-military purposes. Although NSS intends to amend the IAEA’s convention on nuclear safety, it has not been able to do so. NSS’ major drawback is that there is no legally binding outcome at the end of its six years process. Instead the process of NSS has kept its focus on asking and pursuing countries to tighten their national laws, rules and capabilities on nuclear security. This has implied that military facilities are treated as national responsibilities and handled as per international obligations.
Actions Plans of Nuclear Security Summit
Action Plans on nuclear security will be seconded to international organizations such as International Atomic Energy Agency, United Nations, INTERPOL, Global Initiative to combat Nuclear Terrorism, and Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction.
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