The Republic of Iraq deposited its instrument of accession to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM) with IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano at the Agency's headquarters on 7 July 2014.
On receiving the instrument of accession from the IAEA Resident Representative of Iraq, Ambassador Surood Rashid Najib, the Director General emphasized that universal adherence to the CPPNM strengthens and contributes to the international resolve to fortify the global nuclear security regime. Ambassador Najib during the treaty event, also mentioned his country's unwavering commitment to the Agency's mandate which was further reflected by the recent accession of his country to the CPPNM.
With this latest accession by Iraq, the CPPNM now has 150 Parties and 44 Signatories.
Background
The Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material was signed in Vienna and New York on 3 March 1980 and entered into force on 8 February 1987. The Convention is the only international legally binding undertaking in the area of physical protection of nuclear material. It establishes measures related to the prevention, detection and punishment of offenses relating to nuclear material.
A Diplomatic Conference was convened in July 2005 to amend the Conventionand strengthen its provisions. The amended Convention makes it legally binding for States Parties to protect nuclear facilities and material in peaceful domestic use, storage and transport. It also provides for expanded cooperation between and among States regarding rapid measures to locate and recover stolen or smuggled nuclear material, mitigate any radiological consequences of sabotage, and prevent and combat related offences.