Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

6 June – The Republic of Georgia has ratified a comprehensive agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), part of the United Nations nuclear watchdog's efforts to get countries to commit to the non-proliferation and peaceful use of nuclear technology.

The agreement is pursuant to provisions of the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT) to which Georgia is party, IAEA said. Georgia also ratified what is termed an "additional protocol" to that agreement which allows IAEA safeguards inspectors greater rights of access to verify the absence of any undeclared nuclear material or activities.

The additional protocol is the centerpiece of recent efforts by IAEA to strengthen its system for verification of peaceful undertakings by States in the nuclear field. With Georgia's agreement in force, the agency is implementing safeguards in all of the so-called Newly Independent States emerging from the former Soviet Union known to have nuclear facilities or material.

As part of efforts to see more States sign on, IAEA said it is running a series of regional seminars and national missions to help countries better understand and prepare to implement additional protocols and safeguards agreements. A number of countries - particularly in Latin America and Africa - have concluded the legal instruments of the Agency's strengthened safeguards system as a result.

"There has been incremental progress but the number of safeguards agreements and additional protocols actually in force continues to be well below expectations," IAEA Director-General Mohamed ElBaradei said. " I reiterate my call on all States that have not done so to conclude these instruments and bring them into force."

IAEA is implementing 231 safeguards agreements in147 States. Forty-six States party to the NPT have yet to conclude comprehensive safeguards agreements with the IAEA in the context of the Treaty. Seventy-seven States with safeguards agreements in force have so far not signed additional protocols, and included among these are 21 States known to have significant nuclear activities.