Volume 4, Number 3
October 2006

Promoting Global Best Practices:
The World Institute of Nuclear Security (WINS) Concept
Report to the INMM Membership
Developed from Talking Points by the WINS Coordinating Committee
July 2006

The international community has a common interest in the security and management of materials that could be used for nuclear weapons, improvised nuclear devices or acts of terrorism. The protection system is only as strong as its weakest link, and a threat to one is a threat to all. In the opinion of many experts, more needs to be done.

As a result of NTI President Charles Curtis’ Opening Plenary address and call to action at the INMM 46th Annual Meeting (2005), the NTI and INMM are developing a concept, tentatively called the World Institute of Nuclear Security (WINS), which would promote best practices in nuclear security, and provide an institutional infrastructure to help put these best practices in place in nuclear facilities throughout the world.

WINS would collect and promulgate best practices in physical protection and nuclear material control and accounting through formal training programs, publications, seminars, and topical meetings with the goal of improving implementation of nuclear security measures. Other mission areas could include on-site technical support for nuclear security, support of IAEA peer review missions, and assistance with self-assessment of physical protection and material control and accounting systems.

WINS would provide a forum for the exchange of information between operators, industry, governments, and government entities regarding on-the-ground experiences and lessons learned. The WINS concept would be unique in its ability to disseminate best practices widely and flexibly in response to new threats and using new tools for nuclear security.

For the WINS concept to be successful it must be supported by the international nuclear community and be responsive to its needs. Bringing WINS from concept to reality will require the participation of partners around the world. The IAEA is in consultation with NTI and INMM to explore the possible role and value of WINS, and is participating in the planning of future international meetings to further develop the concept.

The IAEA has developed a four-year Nuclear Security Plan (NSP) to “achieve improved worldwide security of nuclear and other radiological material.” The NSP will remain the foundation for the IAEA’s nuclear security activities, and WINS activities will be designed to complement and supplement the IAEA’s activities.

There are many decisions and judgments to be made regarding the scope, timing, and initiatives of the proposed organization, and how it could support enhanced security for the anticipated growth in nuclear power and related technologies. These issues are yet to be resolved and the input of key stakeholders will be invaluable in the final design of WINS.

The next step is to organize an “experts group” meeting to solicit input on the WINS concept, to refine the concept, and to gain support for the new organization. The following step in the planning process is a broader discussion of the results of the experts’ group meeting at an international conference of stakeholders. Invitees could include representatives from governments, industry, and international organizations.

A WINS Coordinating Committee (CC) consisting of representatives of the Steering Committee (SC), NTI, and DOE/NNSA is leading the collaboration with the IAEA. The CC is planning for the Fall 2006 experts meeting and the Spring 2007 international stakeholders meeting.

An INMM Steering Committee (SC) consisting of Fellows will provide input and recommendation regarding WINS to the INMM Executive Committee. A preceding subcommittee of Fellows led the Institute’s contributions to the possible establishment of WINS by developing the initial proposal and a preliminary draft business plan that helped establish the feasibility of the concept. The INMM EC and WINS SC welcome members’ input, feedback, comments and questions.