Global Nuclear Security Governance Building through the Nuclear Security Summit

Abstract

This paper addresses the issues on nuclear security governance building through the Nuclear Security Summit. Given the increased threat of nuclear terrorism by non-state actors, the current global mechanism addressing nuclear security has revealed serious limitations. Despite various legally binding instruments-such as the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM), the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism (ICSANT), the UN Security Council Resolution 1540 and other non-legally-binding instruments-global efforts to address nuclear terrorism have faced serious challenges to their effectiveness. As a result, after U. S. President Obama's speech in 2009 in Prague, the first Nuclear Security Summit Meeting was successfully held in Washington, D. C. Based on its success, the second Nuclear Security Summit Meeting is scheduled to be held in March 2012 in Seoul, Korea. In addition to the ongoing issues, the Seoul Meeting will deal with new issues such as nuclear safety in reflection of the 2011 Fukushima accident. The meeting may also consider discussions on other important issues such as the framework agreement, involvement of relevant stakeholders, further institutionalization of the Nuclear Security Summit Meeting and sustainable financing as long-term agendas. Ultimately, this process will reinforce the effectiveness of the global efforts to tackle nuclear terrorism and other related issues.