The United States and Romania, along with 29 partner nations, reaffirmed their commitment to global radiological and nuclear (R/N) security during the Global Forum to Prevent Radiological and Nuclear Terrorism (Global FTPRNT) held in Bucharest from November 13-15, 2024.
In a joint statement, the forum’s participants emphasized the need for international cooperation to counter R/N terrorism. The statement highlighted the importance of adhering to multilateral conventions, upholding international norms, and supporting legal frameworks to prevent non-state actors, including terrorist groups, from acquiring or using R/N materials maliciously.
The forum included endorsements from countries across Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America, signaling broad international consensus. Nations such as Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom, Nigeria, and Ukraine lent their support to the initiative.
The Global FTPRNT addresses a critical gap left by the suspension of activities under the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism (GICNT) following Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The United States and Russia, previously co-chairs of the GICNT, mutually paused official activities, leaving an urgent need for coordinated global efforts. The forum now seeks to bridge this void by uniting like-minded countries to detect, prevent, and respond to R/N terrorism risks.
“We must remain vigilant against the risk of R/N materials falling into the hands of those with malicious intent,” the statement read, underscoring the growing importance of security measures as nations increasingly adopt nuclear power technologies, including advanced and small modular reactors.
The statement also highlighted commitments to strengthening global capabilities to combat R/N terrorism. This includes compliance with international frameworks such as the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism and the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material, among others.
The forum aims to foster international cooperation through information sharing, institutional support, and strengthened partnerships. Leaders also pledged to bolster the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) nuclear security initiatives.
World leaders urged all nations to join this collective effort, stating: “By working together, we aim to build a safer and more secure world and protect against the threat of R/N terrorism.”
The Global FTPRNT represents a renewed determination to confront evolving security threats through unity, vigilance, and innovation.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan Al Jubair
