National Progress Report: Jordan
/NSS 2016 - National Progress Report
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
Ratification of ICSANT
On 9 February 2014, the Council of Ministers presented to the Parliament the bill for Jordan’s accession to the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism (ICSANT). The Parliament approved the convention and a Royal decree was published in the official gazette, the instrument of ratification was deposited on February 28, 2016.
Counter Nuclear Smuggling Team
On 8 September 2013, the Council of Ministers took the decision to create a Counter-Nuclear Smuggling Team. The team is led by Jordan Armed Forces and comprising Ministry of Interior, the General Intelligence Directorate, Energy and Mineral Resources Commission, the Public Security Directorate, and the Customs Department.
Jordan has, since the Seoul Summit, conducted intensive bilateral consultations and embarked on site visits to NSS countries that have made considerable progress in the area of Nuclear Security and Counter-Nuclear Smuggling.
Strengthening Nuclear Security Implementation
On November 13, 2015, Jordan announced its commitment to “Strengthening Nuclear Security Implementation” as contained in the International Atomic Energy Agency document INFCIRC 869
Bilateral and International Cooperation
Jordan -USA
Joint Action Plan between the Government of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the Government of the United States of America on Combating Smuggling of Nuclear and Radioactive Materials.
On January 11, 2016, Jordan and the USA signed a joint action plan with the intent to cooperate to build and increase the capabilities of Jordan to prevent, detect, and respond effectively to attempts to smuggle nuclear or radioactive materials. The plan focuses on building self-reliance capabilities of Jordan, while at the same time establishes a cooperative relationship with the US, where assistance is needed.
Jordan-IAEA:
During the period 31May to 11 June 2015, the IAEA conducted a Nuclear Security Peer Review Mission. The Energy and Minerals Resources Commission (EMRC) was commended by the IAEA for the cooperation and support the mission received.
Workshops and Training
CNS Teams in Volatile Regions
During the period 18 to19 November 2015, Jordan hosted an international workshop on CNS Teams in Volatile Regions in Amman on. It was designed to promote the initiative of His Majesty King Abdullah II on the Counter Nuclear Smuggling Teams that was declared during the Second Nuclear Security Summit held in Soul in 2012 and reintroduced in 2014 and 2016 summits respectively.
The overall aim of the workshop was to raise awareness of cross border threats in volatile regions and to exchange experiences on current national level mechanisms for interagency and cross-sector coordination in security on nuclear material issues. During the second day of this workshop, Jordan presented itself as a case study on how it has been securing itself considering unprecedented border volatility with a special focus on how it has been dealing with the threat of infiltration of smuggled material including the possibility of smuggling nuclear and radioactive material.
Jordan-Canada
Workshop “Towards Universal Implementation of International Legal Instruments for Nuclear Security”,
During the period 26 to 27 January 2016, Jordan organized in cooperation with Canada this workshop. It addressed entry into force and implementation of the International Convention on the Suppression of Nuclear Terrorism (ICSANT) and the Amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM/A). This workshop was dedicated to countries in the Arab region.
Jordan-Canada-INTERPOL
INTERPOL organized and run Project STONE in Jordan with a contribution in kind from the government of Canada.
Project STONE is delivered in two phases, phase 1 comprises training in Radiological Nuclear investigations, intervention and counter trafficking for law enforcement and other personnel and this is followed up a few months later with phase 2, which is a live counter trafficking operation at border crossing points, utilizing the same personnel. The first phase took place during the period 1-3 March 2016; the second follow up with the operational phase will be conducted in May 2016.
Jordan- United Arab Emirates, Morocco, GCC, GICNT, EU, & UNICRI
Inter-Arab Nuclear Detection and Response Exercise “ FALCON TABLE TOP EXERCISE”, 23-25 February 2016, Abu Dhabi
This exercise is regionally-oriented to partner nations in the Gulf Cooperating Council (GCC) with the participation of Jordan and Morocco. It focused on key aspects of the nuclear security activities related to detection and initial response to Radiological and Nuclear (RN) threats with an emphasis on national planning, information-sharing, operational cooperation, and decision-making in detecting nuclear material out of regulatory control and in managing the investigation of and response to an escalating nuclear security situation involving radioactive materials.
The exercise has been developed under the auspices of the EU CBRN Centers of Excellence, the UN Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), the European Commission, the Governments of the UAE, Jordan, Morocco and the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism (GICNT). One of its important outcomes is to strengthen regional cooperation in the field of nuclear security and the conduct of follow up activities in the future.
2016 Nuclear Security Summit voluntary commitments:
Jordan introduced a new “Statement of Activity and Cooperation on Countering Nuclear Smuggling” to the 2016 Summit. 37 states, the UN and the INTERPOL have co-sponsored this Gift Basket. Additionally, Jordan joined five gift baskets:
1. Joint Statement on Sustaining Action to Strengthen Global Nuclear Security
2. Insider Threat Mitigation.
3. Supporting Nuclear and Radiological Terrorism Preparedness and Response Capabilities
4. Joint Statement on Promoting Full and Universal Implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540.
5. Nuclear Security Training and Support Centres/Centres of Excellence (NSSC/CoE)”