In particular, the 2005 Amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (the Amendment) – which entered into force due to the Administration’s efforts to secure 16 additional ratifications – makes clear the international community’s responsibility to secure nuclear materials. The Nuclear Security Summits also served to strengthen the global nuclear security architecture. In total, Summit participants made 350 new commitments to improve the security of nuclear materials worldwide. Furthermore, we have developed stronger partnerships with dozens of countries and international organizations that improve our collective ability to detect, deter, and respond to nuclear and radiological threats that fundamentally make us all safer. ![]() We also have buttressed International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) capabilities and provided technical and legal support to partner nations to bolster international efforts to secure nuclear material and put an end to nuclear smuggling. Since 2009, 16 nations and Taiwan – countries from Argentina and Libya to Serbia and Vietnam – have eliminated their holdings of highly enriched uranium and plutonium, making Latin America, Central Europe, and Southeast Asia completely free of these dangerous materials. This includes the removal of highly enriched uranium and plutonium from more than 50 facilities in 30 countries – more than four metric tons of nuclear material, which is enough material for more than 160 nuclear weapons. For example, we have made significant improvements across the globe in the security and elimination of fissile material. Prevent Nuclear Terrorism and Promote Nuclear Securityįour successful Nuclear Security Summits have convened more than 50 world leaders to take tangible and lasting steps to prevent terrorists from gaining nuclear weapons. This administration has worked diligently since 2009 to develop enduring institutions and strengthen existing frameworks that will continue, under their own momentum, to produce a safer world when it comes to the threat of nuclear weapons. President Obama’s historic speech in Prague in 2009 outlined his vision of a world without nuclear weapons and outlined work for achieving this goal in four pillars: (1) preventing nuclear terrorism and promoting nuclear security (2) strengthening the non-proliferation regime (3) supporting the peaceful use of nuclear energy and (4) reducing the role of nuclear weapons. President Barack Obama, Prague, Czech Republic, April 5, 2009 But now we, too, must ignore the voices who tell us that the world cannot change. This goal will not be reached quickly –- perhaps not in my lifetime. ![]() “So today, I state clearly and with conviction America's commitment to seek the peace and security of a world without nuclear weapons.
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