WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and the Royal Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs signed a memorandum of understanding today for Norway to contribute over $800,000 to NNSA's global nonproliferation efforts. Norway's support brings the total amount received by NNSA in international contributions to nearly $45 million since 2005 to address nuclear proliferation threats around the world.
"We appreciate Norway's commitment to advancing our common international security goals," said William Tobey, NNSA deputy administrator for defense nuclear nonproliferation. "Our international partnerships have allowed NNSA to make even faster progress in preventing nuclear terrorism around the world."
Norway will provide funding to install radiation detection equipment and associated infrastructure at two sites in Kazakhstan where the NNSA's Second Line of Defense (SLD) program has ongoing projects.
NNSA provides radiation detection systems at strategic locations around the world to help combat nuclear proliferation and terrorism. SLD has installed equipment at over 160 locations to date, and has provided training in the operations and maintenance of the equipment. The program also provides training in detection, identification, and interdiction of nuclear and radiological materials.
International contributions, whether financial or in-kind, augment NNSA's important nonproliferation and international security programs. To date, NNSA has received support from Canada, Finland, Republic of Korea, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and Norway to pursue nonproliferation efforts around the world, including:
Over $31 million to shut down the last remaining weapons-grade plutonium production reactors in Russia.
Nearly $8 million to reduce and protect vulnerable nuclear and radiological materials located at civilian nuclear sites worldwide.
Nearly $6 million to strengthen security at international land borders, seaports and airports that may be used as smuggling routes for nuclear or radiological materials.
NNSA and Norway have also partnered to strengthen emergency preparedness and response programs worldwide and assisted in improving the International Atomic Energy Agency's capability to facilitate and coordinate nuclear accident or radiological emergency assistance under the Convention on Assistance.
Established by Congress in 2000, NNSA is a separately organized agency within the U.S. Department of Energy responsible for enhancing national security through the military application of nuclear science. NNSA maintains and enhances the safety, security, reliability and performance of the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile without nuclear testing; works to reduce global danger from weapons of mass destruction; provides the U.S. Navy with safe and effective nuclear propulsion; and responds to nuclear and radiological emergencies in the United States and abroad.
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