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Nuclear Nonproliferation: More Progress Needed in Implementing Recommendations for IAEA's Technical Cooperation Program

GAO-11-482T Published: Mar 17, 2011. Publicly Released: Mar 17, 2011.
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Highlights

A key mission of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is promoting the peaceful uses of nuclear energy through its Technical Cooperation (TC) program, which provides equipment, training, fellowships, and other services to its member states. The United States provides approximately 25 percent of the TC program's annual budget. While the vast majority of TC projects have not involved the transfer of sensitive nuclear materials and technology, TC assistance has been provided to countries of proliferation concern. In March 2009, GAO reported on potential proliferation and management concerns related to the program (GAO-09-275). This testimony discusses (1) GAO's findings and recommendations to the Department of State and IAEA in that report and (2) agency progress made to implement those recommendations to address these concerns. This testimony is based on GAO's 2009 report and updated in March 2011 by (1) reviewing documentation on actions taken by State and IAEA in response to the report's recommendations and (2) interviewing State and Department of Energy (DOE) officials.

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Agency missionsArms control agreementsCongressional oversightData collectionData integrityEvaluation criteriaForeign aid programsInformation managementInteragency relationsInternational cooperationInternational organizationsInternational relationsLaboratoriesMonitoringNuclear proliferationNuclear weaponsPolicy evaluationProgram managementProtocolsReporting requirementsRequirements definitionRisk assessmentSafeguardsTechnical assistanceTerrorismNuclear energyForeign countriesPolicies and procedures