National Progress Report: Mexico

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Since the 2014 Nuclear Security Summit, Mexico has strengthened nuclear security implementation and built up the global nuclear security architecture by…

1. SUPPORT FOR CONVENTION ON THE PHYSICAL PROTECTION OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL (CPPNM) AND INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION FOR THE SUPPRESSION OF ACTS OF NUCLEAR TERRORISM (ICSANT)

  • The Government of Mexico deposited with the IAEA its instrument of accession to the CPPNM on April 4, 1988 and deposited its instruments of ratification of the 2005 Amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM) on 1° August 2012.
  • Mexico deposited its instruments of ratification of the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism (ICSANT) and entered into force on 9 July 2007.

2. STRENGTHENED NATIONAL NUCLEAR AND RADIOLOGICAL MATERIAL SECURITY SYSTEM

  • Mexico’s government development, implementation and maintenance of a system of physical protection of radioactive and nuclear materials and nuclear facilities on the recommendations of the International Atomic Energy Agency in its document entitled: Nuclear Security Recommendations on Physical Protection of Nuclear Material and Nuclear Facilities (INFCIRC / 225 / Revision 5).
  • The Government of Mexico has accepted the Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources, which is the basis for the establishment of the regulation on this issue.
  • Furthermore, Mexico actively participated in the IAEA technical meeting on the formulation of guidelines for the import and export of nuclear and radiological sources.
  • In March 2014 the Federal Penal Code was modified to establish the crimes and penalties for terrorist acts, sabotage, theft, attacks on means of communication or international terrorism, those who use radioactive material, nuclear material, nuclear fuel, radioactive mineral, radiation source or instruments that emit radiation in order to carry out acts against goods or services, whether public or private, or against the physical integrity of persons that produce alarm, fear or terror in the population or a group or sector, for acting against national security.
  • In 2016 the publication of Regulation transport of radioactive and nuclear materials is expected.

3. CONTRIBUTION TO THE IAEA’S NUCLEAR SECURITY-RELATED ACTIVITIES

  • Mexico, actively contributes to the development of the Nuclear Security Series, most recently by participating in the Nuclear Security Guidance Committee.
  • Mexico conducted with the cooperation of the IAEA National Training Course on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Materials in transport.
  • Mexico has received International Physical Protection Advisory Service (IPPAS) missions in all its nuclear facilities.
  • Mexico has received the International Nuclear Security Advisory Service (INSServ) missions to review the general status of measures that protect against nuclear terrorism and identify ways to improve a broad spectrum of nuclear security activities. The recommendations provide a platform for preparation of a country-specific Integrated Nuclear Security Support Plan (INSSP) for future implementation, through IAEA programme and bilateral assistance.
  • Mexico participated in the meeting of contact points of the CPPNM, held at the headquarters of the IAEA in December 2015, recognizing the commitments based on the Convention and its amendments.

4. SUPPORT FOR NUCLEAR SECURITY-RELATED INTERNATIONAL INITIATIVES

  • Mexico participates in the Global Initiative to Counter Nuclear Terrorism (GICNT) and in the Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction. In May 2013, Mexico hosted the 8th Plenary Session of Global Initiative to Counter Nuclear Terrorism (GICNT) which took place in Mexico City, and cooperates with the 1540 Committee.
  • From the 25th to the 28th of February 2014, the Government of Mexico in coordination with the GICNT Nuclear Detection Working Group (NDWG) hosted a Workshop and Field Training Exercise in the Port of Manzanillo, Colima.

5. CONTRIBUTION TO MINIMIZATION OF HEU

  • Mexico, in collaboration with US, Canada and IAEA, converted, in 2012, the HEU fuel of the nuclear research reactor “Triga MARK III”, to use LEU fuel. The reactor intends to use only LEU targets for the production of medical and research radioisotopes.

6. BILATERAL COOPERATION

  • Mexico since 2011 cooperates with the US to improve the security of medical, industrial and research facilities where radioactive category I and II sources is improved. This includes physical security infrastructure and training. In this process, more than 150 facilities have participated.
  • With the Governments of Canada and USA, Mexico has signed an agreement to monitor radiation sources from its origin to its final destination, which includes transportation sources category I. These agreements are operational currently.
  • Likewise, with cooperation to Canada, took place in 2013 a regional workshop for Central America on the safety of radiation sources in medical facilities.
  • With the cooperation of the US, Mexico has improved infrastructure mega-ports to import and export 80% of goods by sea.
  • Additionally, with the US, Mexico has created an inter-governmental cooperation for the training of specialists in export controls and the identification of sensitive materials, which has resulted in trainers of trainers. In 2015 specialists from different institutions participated in training courses for specialists from Panama and Colombia.

7. FULFILLMENT OF RESOLUTION 1540 (2004) OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL OF THE UNITED NATIONS

  • In 2012, Mexico began the process of joining the four export control regimes. By March 2014, Mexico is a member of the Wassenaar Arrangement (WA), Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and the Australia Group (AG). It has the legislation and the process for granting permits to export products subject to control under these schemes. Mexico joined to WA in January 2012, and accepted on NSG in September 2012. Additionally, August 12th, Mexico was admitted as a fully-fledge Member State to AG.
  • Within the export control process, Mexico created an Export Controls Committee, determining the export of special materials, taking into account the final use and destination.

8. RECOGNITION OF THE IMPORTANT ROLE OF INDUSTRY IN PROMOTING AND EXCHANGING BEST PRACTICES AS APPROPRIATE, INCLUDING THE PROMOTION OF BEST PRACTICES GUIDES RELATED TO NUCLEAR SECURITY CULTURE AND NUCLEAR SECURITY INFORMATION

Mexico is promoting into industry (nuclear power owner), and other institutions in the government the nuclear security culture, in order to have the response to an attack involving nuclear or radiological material.