A meeting was held at the headquarters of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna 6-8 November to review implementation of agreed plans to help Newly Independent States (NIS) of the former Soviet Union in fulfilling their nuclear non-proliferation commitments.

As most NIS have become parties to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) as non-nuclear weapon states, a number of donor countries have offered bilateral assistance to set up: State Systems of Accounting and Control (SSACs) of nuclear material; physical protection of such material; and import/export controls. The IAEA has played a coordinating role by helping to identify specific needs in individual states and appropriate donor support.

The meeting was attended by representatives of 14 Newly Independent States and 9 donor States -- Australia, Finland, France, Hungary, Japan, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom and United States. In addition, Argentina, Canada, the Republic of Korea and Turkey attended as observers.

The meeting underlined the need for an integrated approach to nuclear nonproliferation encompassing SSACs, physical protection and import/export controls. Also stressed as basic requirements were the establishment of an appropriate framework of national nuclear laws and regulations in each recipient state, plus the necessary political commitment and coordination.

The IAEA's continued role in coordinating technical support for the NIS was welcomed, and the Agency has offered to organize similar annual reviews in future, provided the necessary assistance is forthcoming.