Advanced Nuclear Non-Proliferation: Peaceful Uses Initiative
In remarks delivered at the opening of the 2010 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton announced that the United States will make an additional commitment of $50 million over the next five years for a new Peaceful Uses Initiative.
The United States has long supported programs to assist states in developing nuclear energy for peaceful purposes in compliance with their nonproliferation obligations. To this end, U.S. contributions toward programs sponsored by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have exceeded $240 million since 2000.
U.S. Support for Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy
Secretary of State Clinton announced at the 2010 Review Conference for the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) that the United States will supplement support for peaceful uses of nuclear energy with $50 million in additional funding over the next five years as part of President Obama’s Peaceful Uses Initiative (PUI). Participation in this initiative not only signals a commitment to the NPT, the nonproliferation regime, and the IAEA, but also to broader humanitarian goals. The U.S. contribution will be applied to IAEA projects relating to:
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Nuclear Power Infrastructure Development.
Secretary Clinton stated that the United States “wants to help expand the ability of all states to utilize peaceful nuclear energy.” The U.S. contribution will help answer member states requests for assistance in building the infrastructure required to pursue nuclear power. -
Food Security
Through President Obama’s “Feed the Future” initiative, the United States aims to reduce hunger and malnutrition. The IAEA has an important role to play in these activities, using mutation induction to create new crops with increased yield, nutritional content, or viability; expanding capabilities to diagnose and prevent the spread of disease in animal populations; and increasing food safety. -
Water Resource Management
The United States is one of the largest bilateral donors to water supply programs in developing countries. The IAEA’s role is vital in using isotopic tracers to explore the nature, history, and sustainability of fresh water supplies, and also in responsibly managing marine environments. -
Human Health
Through the Global Health Initiative, the U.S. government aims to create an effective platform for the sustainable delivery of essential health care. The IAEA has a unique role to play through nuclear medicine, including its Program of Action for Cancer Therapy, which seeks to provide access to nuclear-related techniques in diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
Support from Other Countries Needed U.S. Department of State • Bureau of Public Affairs • www.state.gov
U.S.-funded PUI projects will be selected in collaboration with the IAEA, and we hope that Member States will work with the IAEA to develop projects that meet their needs. U.S. funds will be largely directed toward developing countries. We expect that funding through the PUI will extend across several IAEA departments, including technical cooperation, nuclear applications, and nuclear energy.
As we move forward in funding projects through the PUI, we hope that other countries will join us in supporting this effort to expand the IAEA’s ability to provide member states with access to these vital peaceful applications of nuclear energy. This initiative reflects our support for the right to peaceful uses of nuclear energy, strengthens the IAEA and the nuclear nonproliferation regime to which it is integral, and furthers socioeconomic development around the world.