Nuclear Non-proliferation

The NPT Origins And Objectives

The Nuclear non-proliferation treaty was concluded in 1968 and brought into force in 1970. It was then indefinitely extended in May 1995. Its goal is to aid in developing nuclear energy while ensuring that civil uranium, plutonium and associated plants are used only for peaceful purposes and do not contribute in any way to proliferation or nuclear weapons programs. At present, 187 states are party to the NPT. These include all five declared Nuclear Weapons States (NWSs): China, France, the Russian Federation, the UK and the USA.

The International Atomic Energy Agency

The international body that monitors the NPT is the IAEA. The IAEA was set up by unanimous resolution of the United Nations in 1957 to help nations develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. The IAEA provides assurance to the international community that individual countries are honouring their treaty commitments to use nuclear materials and facilities exclusively for peaceful purposes.

Australian Safeguards Policy

Australia's uranium is sold for exclusively peaceful purposes, namely electric power generation and related research and development activities. One of the main components of Australia's safeguards policy involves careful selection of those countries eligible for the supply of Australian uranium:

• In the case of non nuclear weapon states, Sales are made only to countries which are parties to the NPT. These have renounced the nuclear weapons option and accept full-scope IAEA safeguards applying to all their nuclear-related activities;
• In the case of nuclear weapons States, which must also be parties to the NPT, sales require an assurance that uranium will not be diverted to military or explosive purposes and that it will be subject to IAEA safeguards.

References

1. http://www.nrc.gov/what-we-do/safeguards.html
2. http://www.uic.com.au/nip05.htm
3. http://www.pogo.org/p/environment/eo-020901-nukepower.html