Consolidate recent progress into a new era of enduring leadership

The countries that are leading efforts to improve nuclear security should build on their recent strides with unilateral, bilateral, and multilateral efforts that consolidate their progress into a new era of enduring leadership.

• Form a nuclear security leaders’ group—in the spirit of the Nuclear Security Contact Group—with high-level political representation that can shape and drive the global agenda for nuclear security progress
• Commit to a coordinated effort to provide long-term financial and technical support for developing strong nuclear security regimes to countries embarking on new nuclear applications, leveraging specific national expertise to provide relevant support where needed
• Provide consistent financial contributions to the IAEA Nuclear Security Fund, nominate experts to participate in the IAEA’s International Physical Protection Advisory Service peer review missions, and fund junior professional officer positions within the IAEA’s Division of Nuclear Security to strengthen the IAEA’s central role in global nuclear security
• Actively participate in the revision process of IAEA Information Circular 225 through the Nuclear Security Guidance Committee and advocate for stronger guidance on cybersecurity, insider threat prevention, and continuous threat assessment.
• Use regional and bilateral relationships to advance universalization of the Amended Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material—the only legally binding international agreement governing security of nuclear materials and nuclear facilities—and encourage participation in the treaty’s 2027 Review Conference
• Advocate regionally and internationally for new commitments by countries to strengthen their nuclear security frameworks for cybersecurity, insider threat prevention, and threats posed by new technologies.

What the Data Show

A geographically varied group of 12 countries has emerged as the new driving force for global progress on nuclear security by sustaining domestic progress, offering support to other governments, and increasing engagement with key international institutions.

Data Details

Countries with weapons-usable nuclear materials have the greatest responsibility for nuclear security. However, all countries and areas have a role to play and a vested interest in reducing associated risks. Historically, countries and areas without weapons-usable nuclear materials have focused on supporting global nuclear security norms and strengthening national legal and regulatory frameworks—following the agenda rather than setting it. The 2026 NTI Index captures a potential shift in that paradigm. With tensions between China, Russia, and the United States disrupting the established dynamics of nuclear security leadership, several countries are newly stepping forward and driving global progress: Australia, Canada, Finland, Ghana, Hungary, Japan, Jordan, the Netherlands, Senegal, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom.

Many of these countries have long modeled responsible management of nuclear security risks and shown a readiness to fill the void created by rising geopolitical tensions. NTI Index data show that Australia, Canada, Finland, Japan, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom have maintained comprehensive nuclear security regulatory frameworks reflecting international best practice since at least 2018, requiring regular testing of security systems against realistic threats, mandatory cybersecurity programs, and insider threat mitigation measures. Since 2023, all have reinforced their political commitment through high-level participation at international nuclear security forums and monetary contributions to nuclear security efforts, particularly the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Nuclear Security Fund.

The NTI Index also finds that other countries, which have modeled responsible nuclear security stewardship from the outset of their relatively recent civil nuclear programs, are continuing to strengthen regulatory regimes and engagement with relevant international institutions over time. The United Arab Emirates, for example, has had a strong baseline of nuclear security regulatory frameworks since it opened the Barakah nuclear power plant in 2020. Since the 2023 NTI Index, the country has elevated its cybersecurity requirements to include construction-phase protections and has made its first contribution to the IAEA Nuclear Security Fund. Elsewhere in the Middle East, Jordan has built on its mandatory comprehensive tests and assessments of security systems, insider threat awareness programs, and security culture assessments (in place since 2020) by joining the Nuclear Security Guidance Committee (the body that develops and reviews IAEA nuclear security guidance).

Ukraine offers perhaps the most striking example of this trend. Despite operating the largest fleet of nuclear power plants in Europe under conditions of active armed conflict—including direct military strikes on energy infrastructure—Ukraine has maintained its international nuclear security commitments. Ukraine has continued to participate in the Nuclear Security Guidance Committee, has sustained regulatory oversight of its facilities, and has even improved its nuclear security regulations during this time. Ukraine’s continuous commitment to nuclear security amid extreme circumstances is a singular example of leadership and demonstrates the value of sustained investment in nuclear security resilience.

Together, these governments are laying the foundation for a new era of nuclear security leadership defined by mutually reinforcing participation from countries with and without weapons-usable nuclear materials. The potential global expansion of nuclear energy makes this moment particularly consequential. The nuclear security frameworks these countries establish will define the security baseline for a generation of new nuclear infrastructure. Countries currently modeling strong nuclear security implementation have both the credibility and responsibility to leverage their bilateral relationships, regional influence, and institutional engagement to raise the floor for the global nuclear security system.