The International Atomic Energy Agency announced yesterday that it has raised more than $20 million for efforts to prevent nuclear terrorism (see GSN, Sept. 16).

About $23 million has been pledged to the IAEA Nuclear Security Fund in donations from 21 countries and one organization, the agency said.  Of the $23 million, more than $13 million has actually been received, which will go toward strengthening “countries’ nuclear security arrangements against malicious acts,” the IAEA said.

To help prevent nuclear terrorism, the agency is aiding members in identifying and protecting vulnerabilities at nuclear installations and in use, storage and transit of nuclear material, according to an agency press release.  Since September 2001, the IAEA has conducted about 40 advisory missions and has held 60 training sessions.  As part of its efforts against nuclear material smuggling, the IAEA is helping members to improve their ability to detect radioactive material at their borders and to respond to illicit trafficking.

While progress has been made in countering nuclear terrorism, more remains to be done, IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei said.

“On the safety and security front, we can take satisfaction in the degree of progress,” ElBaradei said Monday in his opening remarks to the IAEA General Conference being held this week in Vienna.  “But we must remain vigilant, and clearly much work is still urgently needed,” he said (International Atomic Energy Agency release, Sept. 17).

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