As the global use of nuclear and other radioactive materials for peaceful purposes grows, the importance of the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism (ICSANT) as a crucial tool for preventing nuclear terrorism and other crimes involving such substances and for strengthening global nuclear security – also increases. Becoming party to an international treaty – including ICSANT – generally requires a prolonged process that demands significant time and dedication from all relevant national stakeholders. International efforts can play a crucial role in ensuring a smooth adherence process, and UNODC is the key assistance provider with regard to ICSANT, through its Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Terrorism Prevention Programme (Terrorism Prevention Branch).
On 7 February, 2025 Ecuador deposited an instrument of ratification of ICSANT. The country will become the 127th State party to the Convention on 9 March 2025, which will conclude over five years of the country’s relevant cooperation with UNODC.
UNODC and the Government of Ecuador have worked closely together since 2019 to support these efforts through a number of activities and engagements. Since that time , representatives of Ecuador took part in a regional workshop to promote the universalization and effective implementation of ICSANT, the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM) and its 2005 Amendment (A/CPPNM) for selected Latin American and Caribbean countries, which UNODC held in Panama City. Funded by Canada, the workshop discussed main features of the three international legal instruments, differences and synergies among them, their relationship with United Nations Security Council resolution 1540 (2004) (UNSCR 1540), as well as the challenges and lessons learned associated with their implementation. The workshop participants also explored options of international assistance available in the context of adherence to and implementation of ICSANT, CPPNM and its Amendment.
The cooperation between Ecuador and UNODC was further enhanced through the participation of country representatives in a series of EU-funded UNODC webinars on “Countering CBRN terrorism: international legal approaches and criminal justice responses.”The webinars were held in English, French and Spanish over the course of 2020-2021, and explored, among other things: the criminalization provisions of ICSANT; synergies and differences among ICSANT, CPPNM and A/CPPNM; and experiences on the national implementation of ICSANT. Participants from Ecuador also attended a webinar on “Prosecutorial perspective on ICSANT”, which was part of a EU-funded webinar series on various key aspects of ICSANT launched by UNODC in 2024.
Throughout last year, UNODC continued its engagement with Ecuador through fruitful meetings with the Permanent Mission of Ecuador to the International organizations in Vienna and through a number of awareness-raising activities related to ICSANT, which were crucial for the country’s consideration of adherence to ICSANT. It started with a national awareness-raising webinar on the international legal framework against terrorism and its financing, which includes ICSANT. The webinar was held by UNODC on 1 March 2024.
On 11 June 2024, UNODC conducted a country visit to Ecuador to promote the universalization and effective implementation of ICSANT, funded by Canada. It included a courtesy visit with the Vice‑Minister for Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility (in charge) and a workshop that gathered all relevant stakeholders involved in either the decision of becoming party to ICSANT or in its implementation, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Justice, the Attorney General’s Office, the Parliament, the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Mines and Energy. UNODC discussed the main provisions of ICSANT and the benefits of adhering to it and engaged in fruitful discussions with the stakeholders.
On 18‑20 June 2024, a representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility participated in a seminar to promote A/CPPNM and ICSANT, jointly conducted by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and UNODC. The event was co‑funded by Canada, the European Union (EU) and the United States of America. A representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility took part in the first edition of the UNODC ICSANT Universalization Academy, held on 10‑13 September 2024 with the financial and in‑kind support by Canada. The event aimed at nurturing future leaders with the idea that they become advocates for the Convention in their respective countries, which are not yet party to ICSANT. The Academy format combined traditional presentations and panel discussions with the following elements: a mentoring session featuring high-level officials from Member States, international and regional organizations and civil society; interactive exercises on the drafting of a cabinet memorandum on ICSANT; and a session devoted to the use of social media as an advocacy tool to promote the Convention.
Furthermore, UNODC invited high‑level representatives of Ecuador to ICSANT‑related events, who spoke on the importance of the universalization and effective implementation of the international legal instruments against nuclear terrorism and their national experience working with UNODC on the Convention. Two examples of such collaboration include a side event on UNODC’s contribution to the prevention of nuclear terrorism conducted in cooperation with Canada and the EU on the margins of the IAEA’s International Conference on Nuclear Security on 11 February 2020, and a high-level event commemorating the 15th Anniversary of ICSANT’s entry into force, co-hosted by UNODC, Canada and the EU on 12 December 2022.
Seven international legal instruments against CBRN terrorism, including ICSANT, provide a solid foundation for States to combat the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction by non-State actors – which aligns closely with the objectives of UN Security Council resolution 1540 (2004). Being party to these instruments may thus significantly reinforce the effective implementation of the resolution by States. On 12-13 June 2024, UNODC contributed to a meeting organized jointly by the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) and the Organization of American States/Inter-American Committee against Terrorism (OAS/CICTE) to develop a voluntary National Implementation Action Plan (NAP) by Ecuador regarding its implementation of UN Security council resolution 1540 (2004). Among the recommendations made by UNODC, there was the inclusion into the NAP of the country’s prompt adherence to ICSANT and other international legal instruments against CBRN terrorism to which it is not yet party. Three months later, UNODC participated in a virtual follow-up UNODA‑OAS/CICTE meeting on the implementation of UN Security council resolution 1540 (2004) in Ecuador and drafting of its NAP. Simultaneous interpretation for this meeting was made possible thanks to the funding from Canada.
ICSANT received particular attention in the course of a national legislative workshop on “The international legal framework on countering terrorism, including aspects of CBRN Terrorism”, which UNODC held in Quito in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ecuador and with financial support by Canada and Sweden. The workshop gathered key national agencies to discuss country’s efforts to reform specific provisions of the Penal Code of Ecuador related to terrorism. The event was an important step for Ecuador in harmonizing its legislation with international standards, including ICSANT, and in building solid cooperation between national agencies and the international community.
The ratification of ICSANT by Ecuador is an important milestone that brings the Convention closer to universalization and achieving the full effectiveness. Becoming party to ICSANT also paves way for more assistance related to the implementation of ICSANT, which UNODC stands ready to provide to Ecuador – as well as other States – in a tailored fashion upon request.
Source: https://x.com/CancilleriaEc
Source: https://x.com/CancilleriaEc
Source: https://x.com/CancilleriaEc
