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Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Office of Counter-Terrorism (Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵOCT), through its United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre (Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵCCT), published a study entitled Reasons and Challenges of United Nations Member States for Not Becoming Party to the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism (ICSANT) and Tools for its Effective Implementation.

Developed by the Verification Research, Training and Information Centre (VERTIC) in close coordination with Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵOCT, the study was produced within the framework of the European Union-funded project aimed at promoting the universalization and effective implementation of ICSANT.

While ICSANT remains a cornerstone for global efforts to prevent acts of nuclear terrorism, progress toward universal adherence has slowed in recent years. Drawing on empirical research, academic literature and questionnaires completed by Member States, the study identifies the principal factors affecting adherence, including limited awareness of the Convention, competing legislative priorities, internal capacity constraints and the need for greater technical assistance. The study also offers practical guidance, model legislative provisions and implementation tools to help States Parties meet their obligations under the Convention. It also provides global and regional recommendations to help accelerate universalization and strengthen national implementation.

To promote the Study, Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵOCT organized a series of outreach events bringing together Member States, regional organizations, experts and international partners to present its findings and encourage broader adherence to ICSANT. A total of 235 participants attended three high-level events, representing 64 Member States, regional and international organizations and civil society.

The outreach efforts began on 12 May 2026 with a side event at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, held on the margins of the Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). The event presented the study's key findings, highlighted global and regional adherence trends, introduced the legislative analysis tool and model legislative provisions developed to support implementation. Discussions also focused on practical approaches to strengthening national implementation frameworks and enhancing technical assistance for States Parties. It brought together representatives from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵODA), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵODC), the European Union, and Member States and was attended by 55 participants, representing 28 Member States.

The second event took place on 2 June 2026 at the Organization of American States (OAS) in Washington, D.C., where representatives from Latin America and the Caribbean discussed the study's regional findings and exchanged experiences on strengthening national legal frameworks and promoting adherence to ICSANT. Participants explored practical assistance opportunities, regional cooperation and implementation tools designed to support Member States in meeting their obligations under the Convention. The event brought together 90 participants from 15 Member States, as well as representatives from Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵODC and the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI).

The series outreach activities concluded with a virtual regional workshop for Africa, jointly organized by Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵOCT and the African Union Counter-Terrorism Centre (AUCTC) on 10 June 2026. They event brought together more than 90 participants from 21 Member States, including representatives from the African Commission on Nuclear Energy (AFCONE), the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), the African Center for Science and International Security (AFRICSIS), Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵODA, Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵODC and VERTIC. It examined evolving terrorism trends across Africa, the risks of radiological and nuclear terrorism, and the role of ICSANT in strengthening the continent's legal and institutional response. Participants were also introduced to the study's findings on barriers to adherence in Africa, practical recommendations for universalization, and the legislative tools available to support effective implementation.

The study and related outreach efforts provided Member States with new evidence, practical guidance, and a platform for dialogue on strengthening the international legal framework against nuclear terrorism. By combining research with policy discussions at the global, regional and continental levels, the initiative contributed to reinforce international cooperation and promoted concrete actions to advance universal adherence to and effective implementation of ICSANT.

Background

The study and promotional events were conducted within the framework of the joint project of the United Nations and the European Union on Supporting Universalization and Effective Implementation of ICSANT. The project is funded by the European Union and implemented jointly by Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵOCT and the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵODC.

ICSANT was adopted in 2005 by consensus by the United Nations General Assembly, entered into force in 2007, and has 127 States Parties as of July 2026.