IAEA
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is the world's central intergovernmental forum for scientific and technical cooperation in the nuclear field. It works for the safe, secure and peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology, contributing to international peace and security and the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, while safeguarding against nuclear proliferation. It plays a critical role in providing credible assurances that States are not misusing nuclear facilities or diverting nuclear material to non-peaceful purposes. Australia was one of eight countries that envisaged the IAEA’s formation in 1957 and it continues to play an active role in the Agency, including as the designated member from the South East Asia and the Pacific group on the Board of Governors. Australia concluded a Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement with the IAEA in 1974 and in 1997 became the first State to conclude an Additional Protocol. The Additional Protocol provides the highest assurance of our adherence to our nuclear non-proliferation obligations.
Australia contributes to the IAEA's operations through its working capital fund, regular budget and technical cooperation program and through extra-budgetary contributions. Australia also provides significant in-kind and practical contributions for example by hosting workshops and visiting fellows and scientists; and providing experts for IAEA-related projects and missions, particularly in our region through the Regional Cooperative Agreement for Research, Development and Training related to Nuclear Science and Technology in Asia and the Pacific.
ASEAN Regional Forum Inter-Sessional Meeting on Non-Proliferation and Disarmament (ARF ISM)
Established in 1994, the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) is an important platform for security dialogue in the Indo-Pacific. It provides a setting in which members can discuss current security issues and develop cooperative measures to enhance peace and security in the region – including on Non-Proliferation and Disarmament.
In partnership with the Philippines, Australia co-chaired and hosted the second ARF Workshop on Nuclear Risk Reduction, which took place in Brisbane from 22 to 23 March 2023. Australia is also co-chairing the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Non-Proliferation and Disarmament work stream for 2025–2027, alongside the Philippines and New Zealand.
Conference on Disarmament
The Conference on Disarmament (CD) was created in 1979 as the world's single multilateral disarmament treaty negotiating body. While the CD’s permanent agenda covers nuclear weapons, other weapons of mass destruction and conventional weapons, its current focus includes nuclear disarmament and emerging technologies such as space. The CD, and its predecessors, have made an important contribution to international peace and security through supporting the development of the Biological and Chemical Weapons Conventions, the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) and the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). Australia continues to engage actively in the CD and its subsidiary bodies, and advocates for the negotiation of a treaty to ban the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons as the CD’s most pressing priority.
CTBTO
The Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) was established on 19 November 1996 to lay the groundwork for the effective implementation of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, including to establish a global verification regime, the International Monitoring System (IMS). Pending the entry into force of the Treaty, the CTBTO already contributes to regional security through the IMS, which has detected every declared nuclear test that has taken place in the 21st century. It also provides value through its scientific and civil applications, such as monitoring nuclear accidents and detecting volcanic activity, earthquakes and tsunamis. For example, the IMS detected the eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano on January 15, 2022. As a CTBTO Member, Australia supports its operations through annual contributions and in-kind participation of Australian experts.
In May 2021 Australia's candidate Dr Robert Floyd, was elected Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO). In December 2024 he was reappointed for a second term through to 2029. As the first Executive Secretary to be elected from the Indo-Pacific, Dr Floyd's election demonstrates Australia's active commitment to nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, and our practical contribution to multilateral cooperation.
United Nations (UN)
General Assembly of the United Nations First Committee
The First Committee meets annually to deal with disarmament, global challenges and threats to peace that affect the international community and seeks solutions to challenges to the international security regime.
The Committee works in close cooperation with the United Nations Disarmament Commission (UNDC) and the Geneva-based Conference on Disarmament (CD).
United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA)
UNODA was established in 1982. It promotes nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, as well as disarmament of other weapons of mass destruction and of conventional weapons such as landmines and small arms. It fosters disarmament measures through dialogue, transparency and confidence-building on military matters, and encourages regional disarmament efforts.
United Nations Disarmament Commission (UNDC)
In 1978, the first special session of the General Assembly devoted to disarmament established a United Nations Disarmament Commission (UNDC) as a subsidiary organ of the General Assembly, composed of all Member States of the United Nations. It was created as a deliberative body, with the function of considering and making recommendations on various issues in the field of disarmament and of following up on the relevant decisions and recommendations of its special sessions. It reports annually to the General Assembly. Australia was President of the UNDC in 2018.
United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR)
UNSCEAR was established by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1955. Its mandate in the United Nations system is to assess and report levels and effects of exposure to ionising radiation. Governments and organisations throughout the world rely on the Committee's estimates as the scientific basis for evaluating radiation risk and for establishing protective measures. Australia is a member of UNSCEAR.