France
Assistance offer
| Type(s)of Assistance: | General | Scope: | General |
| Regions: | All |
| Subject(s): | General, Export Controls, Physical Protection |
France is participating in bilateral dialogues and campaigns to raise awareness of what is at stake in combating proliferation, and it cooperates on a case-by-case basis in bilateral activities relating to the various provisions of resolution 1540 (2004), such as export controls and the physical protection of sensitive materials or equipment.
Nuclear field:
In the framework of the Mondial partnership against the proliferation of WMD:
- 131,56 million USD invested between 2002 and 2015 (70% in favour of nuclear projects)
- Securing 2 Alpha-submarine reactor cores (Russia)
- Securing 898 nuclear fuel assemblies (Gremikha base – Russia)
- Securing radioactive sources of 16 RTG (Russia)
- Participation to operational update to the Mayak treatment factory (Russia)
- Participation to building the site dedicated to secure radioactive sources (Vector site - Ukraine)
In the framework of the IAEA:
- Financial extra-contribution to the nuclear security fund (average of 500 000 euros/year)
- Repatriation and securing of radioactive sources of French origin (ongoing actions since 2003)
- Holding of training courses and technical visits in France
- Participation of experts to missions and training courses
In the framework of Interpol:
- Financial support to Interpol (2019 and 2020)
- French experts participation to training courses
In the framework of the Global Initiative against Nuclear terrorism:
- French experts participation to activities related to the Initiative
- Holding and organization of an international workshop in France (2020)
In the framework of 1540 Committee, offers of assistance in the following items:
- Legal: ratification, domestic law
- Radiological: radioactive source securing, infrastructures
- Export control
- Physical protection
Chemical field:
In the framework of the World Partnership against WMD proliferation:
- 131,56 millions USD invested between 2002 and 2015 (14% in favour of chemical projects)
- Participation to chemical ammunitions neutralising in the ex-Soviet area
In the framework of the 1540 Committee: Offer of assistance in the following items:
- Legal: ratification, domestic law
- Export control
- Physical protection
Biological field:
In the framework of the World Partnership against WMD proliferation:
- 131,56 millions USD invested between 2002 and 2015 (16% in favour of biological projects)
- Participation to laboratory physical protection projects in the ex-Soviet area until 2012
- Participation to the pathogen sources neutralization in the ex-Soviet area until 2012
- Assistance to ex-Soviet states in designing security standards until 2012
- Financial support of numerous projects in biosecurity in relation with the WHO unit in Lyon (from 2012)
In the framework of the 1540 Committee: Offer of assistance in the following items:
- Legal: ratification, domestic law
- Export control
- Physical protection
Transversal actions:
- Participation to the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI): cooperation in hindrance efficiency strengthening to proliferation.
Assistance Through International Organizations
France has also supported G-8 initiatives in this field, including the Global Partnership against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction launched in 2002, in connection with which France undertook to contribute up to 750 million euros to the G-8 Action Plan on Non-proliferation, announced on 9 June 2004.
As a member of the G-8 Global Partnership against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction, it has undertaken to fund a number of projects. The activities involved include the dismantling of Russian nuclear submarines through the Multilateral Support Fund of the Northern Dimension Environmental Partnership, as well as action under a number of bilateral programmes in the nuclear, chemical and biological fields.
France is also actively engaged in the efforts of the International Atomic Energy Agency and partner States to promote safeguards agreements to be concluded under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and its additional protocols. It has made financial contributions, and taken part in several promotion seminars. In the context of its safeguards support programme, France contributes both financially and in kind (expert services, transfers of technology or know-how) in order to strengthen the capacities and activities of the Department of Safeguards. French support focuses mainly on developing and strengthening the safeguards system, information and training, and activities targeting the needs of the inspection divisions. It comprises over 20 projects representing a total of about 1.2 million euros in 2004.
France supports IAEA activities in the field of nuclear security and protection from nuclear terrorism. Its contributions to the Nuclear Security Fund total almost €500,000. France has provided an expert to the Agency, free of charge, and is also contributing in kind through cooperation activities, particularly in the fields of the physical protection of nuclear materials, the promotion of international agreements and the security of radioactive materials. The French authorities will shortly conclude arrangements with the Agency to define the cooperation framework for these actions.
In addition to its contribution to the regular budget of IAEA and its participation in the corresponding programmes, such as the verification activities of the Department of Safeguards, France is conducting additional activities on a voluntary basis in support of the goals of Security Council resolution 1540 (2004).