G8 Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction

(As prepared)

Welcome to the Department of State webpage for the G8 Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction. The Global Partnership began in 2002 as a 10-year, $20 billion initiative to help prevent terrorists and would be proliferators from acquiring or developing weapons of mass destruction. The United States pledged $10 billion toward that end and thanks to the support from our international partners, the Global Partnership has achieved its goal, allocating over $20 billion to date worldwide.

In 2011, G8 Leaders agreed to extend the Global Partnership. As Chair of the Global Partnership for 2012, the United States looks forward to working with our partner countries and international organizations to continue the outstanding progress made by France during last year’s chairmanship.

In 2012, our goal is to focus on challenges first enunciated at the 2010 G8 Summit, including:

• nuclear and radiological security
• bio-security
• scientist engagement
• facilitating implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1540
• strengthening project coordination within the Global Partnership
• expanding membership of the Global Partnership
• improving clarity on future funding for these threat reduction activities.

Over the past 10 years, the Global Partnership has successfully addressed a number of Cold War legacy challenges and built up a long list of accomplishments so far, including:

• Enhanced nuclear, biological, and chemical security
• Dismantled nuclear submarines and safe storage of spent fuel
• Improved detection of nuclear and radiological materials and prevented illicit trafficking by improving border security capabilities
• Engaged and redirected to peaceful purposes scientists, technicians, and engineers who have WMD, missile, and related expertise
• Provided enhanced training on nuclear safeguards and security

All these efforts help strengthen President Obama’s nonproliferation agenda and make good on the promise he laid out in his 2009 Prague speech to pursue a world free of nuclear weapons. It is important to maintain this momentum toward combating WMD and we welcome the opportunity to help coordinate this effort throughout 2012.

Thank you and please return to this website for the latest news and more information about the Global Partnership.