Recommendations

The data are clear: governments, regulators, industry, international organizations, and NGOs should take action to prevent a nuclear or radiological catastrophe. But what should they do? The 2023 NTI Index has 10 data-driven recommendations.

Restore Forward Progress on Nuclear Security

Nuclear security is regressing in countries and areas with the greatest responsibility for preventing nuclear theft and sabotage—those with nuclear materials and facilities. This destabilizing development occurs as risks are increasing and evolving.

Cap and Eliminate Civil Stockpiles of Separated Plutonium

Civil stockpiles of separated plutonium are growing rapidly, with the biggest increases coming from commercial reprocessing.

Strengthen Norms Against Use of Highly Enriched Uranium

Global inventories of highly enriched uranium are continuing to gradually decline as global norms against civilian use of HEU solidify.

Prioritize Nuclear Security in Times of Heightened Risk

Amid increasingly volatile risk environments, many governments are not demonstrating the capacity to meet today’s nuclear security challenges.

Strengthen Security Culture & Mitigate Insider Threats

Countries and areas with weapons-usable nuclear materials and nuclear facilities made no progress in two crucial and mutually reinforcing areas of nuclear security: security culture and insider threat prevention.

Revitalize Nuclear Security Confidence Building

Among the 47 countries and areas with nuclear facilities, support for new political and legal commitments and international assurances is faltering.

Strengthen Legal Frameworks to Support Nuclear Security Globally

The number of countries and areas fulfilling their outstanding obligation to effectively protect nuclear materials and facilities has nearly doubled.

Build an Inclusive Narrative about the Importance of Nuclear Security

Countries in the Global South have made the biggest improvements to their nuclear security conditions, though there is still significant work to be done.

Galvanize Support for the International Atomic Energy Agency

Despite volatile risk environments and growing interest in nuclear energy, support for the IAEA’s role in nuclear security is inconsistent.

Implement Essential Radiological Security Measures

Since 2020, countries and areas have made minimal progress on radioactive source security and are not sufficiently adhering to baseline radiological security measures.

THE 2023 NTI NUCLEAR SECURITY INDEX
THE 2023 NTI NUCLEAR SECURITY INDEX

Falling Short in a Dangerous World