The use of nuclear and other radioactive material for criminal purposes remains a real threat to international security. Regional instabilities and the increasing links between organized crime and terrorist groups have heightened the risk of terrorist organizations obtaining and deploying a nuclear or radiological weapon or device. Strong legal frameworks serve as a deterrent for terrorists and are the basis for ensuring that alleged perpetrators are brought before justice.

Harmonization of such legislation across jurisdictions contributes to more effective international cooperation, which in turn increases international abilities to manage nuclear and radiological security threats. The International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism (ICSANT), the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM) and its Amendment (A/CPPNM) provide tools to ensure there is no safe haven for those seeking to commit acts of nuclear or radiological terrorism.

Given the trans-national nature of these threats, these instruments can only work to fulfill their full extent when all States are party to them; however, many States have not yet adhered to and/or implemented all of the provisions of the instruments into their national legislation. The Repository of National Legislation for Implementing the Criminalization Provisions of ICSANT, CPPNM and A/CPPNM serves as a technical reference tool compiling existing practices for the use of criminal justice practitioners during their national implementation process. Ensuring that the criminalization provisions of these three instruments are incorporated into national law is key to strengthening capacities to directly address nuclear and radiological security threats.