The International Legal Framework for Nuclear Security

This publication brings together the primary legally binding international instruments and the internationally accepted non-binding instruments that constitute the international legal framework for nuclear security. It sets out the legislative basis for the mandate of the IAEA in the area of nuclear security, in order to increase awareness of the IAEA’s role in facilitating national, regional and international efforts to enhance nuclear security, including measures to protect against nuclear terrorism. It is intended that the overview of the salient provisions of the relevant binding and non-binding instruments will increase the understanding of the existing legal framework governing nuclear security and counterterrorism and, thereby, assist States, intergovernmental organizations and other stakeholders in the implementation of those provisions at the national, regional and international level.