A robust legal foundation is essential for the effective protection of nuclear and other radioactive material against misuse for terrorism and other criminal purposes. Since its adoption in 2005, the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism (ICSANT) is a key legal instrument in this regard, but it still lacks universal adherence.
With a view to promoting greater adherence to this Convention, UNODC conducted a country visit to Brunei Darussalam on 27 June 2023 in cooperation with the country’s Prime Minister’s Office. During the visit, UNODC held a meeting with around 30 stakeholders from various institutions (Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Finance and Economy, Ministry of Defence, Royal Brunei Armed Forces, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs, and Safety, Health and Environment National Authority).
The meeting was opened by a high-ranking official from the Prime Minister’s Office – Ms Dayang Hajah Nor Hashimah binti Haji Mohammed Taib, Permanent Secretary (Security and Law). UNODC then took the floor to deliver presentations on the main provisions of ICSANT, benefits of adherence to it, as well as UNODC tools and technical assistance available under its CBRN Terrorism Prevention Programme. In particular, UNODC highlighted the possibility for a legislative review of existing national laws related to ICSANT, as well as underscored the ICSANT website launched under the EU-fund project (www.unodc.org/icsant), which contains all information related to the Convention.
Participants showed interest in the Convention and were amenable to exploring further opportunities for engagement with UNODC in connection to ICSANT. In particular, they asked questions about substantive issues related to ICSANT, including the scope of the criminalization provisions, examples of radioactive sources the Convention covers and synergies between ICSANT and other international legal instruments in the area of nuclear security, such as the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material and its 2005 Amendment.
The country visit took place within the framework of the project “Union support to promote universalization and effective implementation of the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism”, funded by the European Union.
