IAEA nuclear material safeguards continues to increase

The International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) Safeguards Statement for 2018 recently determined that the amount of nuclear material subject to IAEA safeguards is continuing to rise.

“Since 2010, the amount of nuclear material under safeguards has increased by 24 percent,” Massimo Aparo, deputy director general and head of the IAEA Department of Safeguards, said. “It is only with the extensive verification activities, carried out by the IAEA and outlined in the Safeguards Implementation Report, that we continue to meet the challenge of providing the international community with credible safeguards conclusions.”

The analysis showed in 2018 safeguards were applied for 182 States, including 174 with comprehensive safeguards agreements, three with item-specific agreements and five with voluntary offer agreements.

Among States with a comprehensive safeguards agreement in force, the IAEA was able to conclude that for 70 States, all nuclear material remained in peaceful activities and for the other 104 States that declared nuclear material remained in peaceful activities.

“Drawing conclusions is at the core of safeguards,” Aparo said. “After the evaluation of all safeguards-relevant information, including that gathered during in-field inspection and analysis carried out at our headquarters, the Safeguards Implementation Report communicates our findings to our Member States.”

The IAEA annually reports to its Board of Governors on its findings and conclusions through the Safeguards Implementation Report. The action forms the basis of the Safeguards Statement.