ASNO plays an active role in shaping the effectiveness of the Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) disarmament and non-proliferation regimes through engagement at the bilateral, regional and multilateral level.
International Partnership for Nuclear Disarmament Verification
The International Partnership for Nuclear Disarmament Verification (IPNDV) is a partnership of 25 like-minded countries working on practical technology solutions and methods for nuclear disarmament verification.
The Partnership's goal is to prepare a robust technical foundation to identify and assess critical gaps and technical challenges associated with monitoring and verifying nuclear disarmament across the nuclear weapons lifecycle.
Australia has had an active leadership role in IPNDV since its creation in 2014, providing a practical demonstration of Australia's nuclear stewardship credentials.
ASNO has chaired various IPNDV working groups and contributed substantial technical content.
Asia-Pacific Safeguards Network
The Asia-Pacific Safeguards Network (APSN) draws on nuclear safeguards expertise in the Asia-Pacific region to facilitate the exchange of safeguards information, knowledge and practical experience among members to strengthen safeguards capabilities in the region.
Established in 2009 by Australia, Japan, Indonesia and the Republic of Korea, the network has grown to 16 regional member states and the IAEA and, through the establishment of working groups, is contributing to regional security as more countries look to make use of nuclear materials and activities.
Australia will assume Chair of APSN for 2025-2026, represented by Dr Geoffrey Shaw, Director General, ASNO as chair and ASNO will serve as the Secretariat.
As a founding member, Australia has had an instrumental role in shaping and building APSN, including through ASNO’s role as the technical lead for APSN’s Safeguards Infrastructure Implementation Working Group.
ASNO was previously Chair from 2010-2014, when APSN was first formed.
Membership of APSN has now grown to 16 Member States plus several observers, including the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
IAEA Standing Advisory Group on Safeguards Implementation
The International Atomic Energy Agency Director General's Standing Advisory Group on Safeguards Implementation (SAGSI) provides recommendations on vital nuclear safeguards implementation issues. The group comprises 16 international experts from 16 member states. The members serve the group in a personal capacity. The Director Safeguards Policy Section, ASNO, has been appointed to serve as a member of SAGSI until the end of 2024.
SAGSI completed a significant report in 2022, making 12 recommendations for further strengthening safeguards. SAGSI also formulated recommendations on evaluating safeguards effectiveness, drawing safeguards conclusions, and the value of knowledge and asset management in safeguards efficiency and effectiveness.
Australian Safeguards Support Program
The Australian Safeguards Support Program (ASSP) is one of 23 programs established by various International Atomic Energy Agency member states and the European Commission to assist the International Atomic Energy Agency in safeguards research, development and implementation. Australia has one of the longest-running programs in place since 1980.
Under the ASSP, ASNO coordinates contributions from several Australian agencies and institutions, including the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), CSIRO, the Office of National Intelligence, the University of Sydney and the University of Western Australia, to several ongoing projects. These projects include research and development on new safeguards technology and approaches, delivery of safeguards training, and provision of technical support.
Verify Program
ASNO’s longstanding technical knowledge, skills and networks have contributed to the development of Verify – a multifaceted and ambitious program that is focussed on building Australia’s next generation of nuclear safeguards and security professionals and the development of cutting-edge verification techniques and technologies for effective domestic and international safeguards.
As a $10million investment, Verify will develop:
- New technologies to meet emerging Australian safeguards challenges.
- Innovative verification techniques and technologies for effective IAEA safeguards.
- Australian nuclear safeguards and security expertise and workforce.
Australia’s first dedicated tertiary qualification program in nuclear safeguards and nuclear security
Verify is funding the design and delivery of Australia’s first dedicated tertiary qualification program in nuclear safeguards and security.
This program will be designed to strengthen and uplift nuclear safeguards and security expertise in a complex world.
This first of its kind program in Australia aims to:
- ensure continuing sovereign expertise in nuclear safeguards and security
- develop a highly skilled pipeline of candidates that can meet future workforce requirements
- help ensure Australia can effectively enhance the global non-proliferation and disarmament architecture.
Both ANU and Charles Sturt will be offering this Graduate Certificate in 2025.