IAEA Nuclear Oversight Grew in 2019

摘要

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) monitored a growing amount of nuclear material in 2019, but persistent security and political challenges prevented the agency from understanding the full scope of nuclear activities in some nations. The agency circulated its annual report of its safeguards activity in April, disclosing that its personnel conducted 2,179 inspections in 183 states in 2019. It now oversees over 8 percent more nuclear material than the previous year. Overall, the material would be enough for more than 216,400 nuclear weapons, which the agency calls "significant quantities." The annual safeguards implementation report reflects the global scale of the IAEA's role in ensuring that nuclear materials in peaceful facilities are not diverted to military uses. It summarizes the agency's activities to implement safeguards across member states and its conclusion about the status of nuclear materials in states where safeguards are conducted. The agency has given the report only to its member states. A copy of the document was provided to Arms Control Today.