Cartagena, Colombia — The United States signed a Declaration of Principles today with the government of Colombia to help prevent smuggling of nuclear and other radioactive material.
The Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and the Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection cosigned the declaration. The document covers implementation of NNSA’s Megaports Initiative and CBP’s Container Security Initiative, as both programs continue working together to stop nuclear material from being smuggled to U.S. ports. The agreement further underscores the close partnership between the United States and Colombia.
The Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and the Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection cosigned the declaration. The document covers implementation of NNSA’s Megaports Initiative and CBP’s Container Security Initiative, as both programs continue working together to stop nuclear material from being smuggled to U.S. ports. The agreement further underscores the close partnership between the United States and Colombia.
“Today’s agreement with Colombia represents a commitment on both sides to tackle the threat of illicit trafficking in nuclear and other radioactive materials, which will go a long way in the fight against terrorism,” said NNSA Administrator Linton F. Brooks. “Cooperating with the Colombian government on the Megaports Initiative will help secure global shipping lanes and ultimately, protect U.S. ports.”
NNSA's Megaports Initiative works with foreign governments to install specialized radiation detection equipment and enhance capabilities to deter, detect and interdict illicit shipments of nuclear and other radioactive materials at international ports. The initiative currently is operational in six countries, and at various stages of implementation and negotiations with approximately 30 other countries around the world.
Launched weeks after the terrorist attacks of 2001, CBP’s Container Security Initiative is a cooperative effort with host country governments to identify and screen high-risk shipments before they leave participating ports. About 82 percent of all cargo containers destined for U.S. shores originate in or are transshipped through 50 CSI ports in North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and North, South and Central America.
“Securing global trade is a major priority for CBP, so I am pleased to be partnering with Columbia, the Port of Cartagena, and the Megaports Initiative,” said CBP Commissioner W. Ralph Basham. “We are committed to using high-tech equipment and smarter, more secure containers to safeguard the supply chain, but realize that cooperation from our friends around the globe is our most potent weapon.”
Established by Congress in 2000, NNSA is a semi-autonomous agency within the U.S. Department of Energy responsible for enhancing national security through the military application of nuclear science. NNSA maintains and enhances the safety, security, reliability and performance of the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile without nuclear testing. The Agency also works to reduce global danger from weapons of mass destruction, provides the U.S. Navy with safe and effective nuclear propulsion, and responds to nuclear and radiological emergencies in the U.S. and abroad.
Source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
NNSA's Megaports Initiative works with foreign governments to install specialized radiation detection equipment and enhance capabilities to deter, detect and interdict illicit shipments of nuclear and other radioactive materials at international ports. The initiative currently is operational in six countries, and at various stages of implementation and negotiations with approximately 30 other countries around the world.
Launched weeks after the terrorist attacks of 2001, CBP’s Container Security Initiative is a cooperative effort with host country governments to identify and screen high-risk shipments before they leave participating ports. About 82 percent of all cargo containers destined for U.S. shores originate in or are transshipped through 50 CSI ports in North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and North, South and Central America.
“Securing global trade is a major priority for CBP, so I am pleased to be partnering with Columbia, the Port of Cartagena, and the Megaports Initiative,” said CBP Commissioner W. Ralph Basham. “We are committed to using high-tech equipment and smarter, more secure containers to safeguard the supply chain, but realize that cooperation from our friends around the globe is our most potent weapon.”
Established by Congress in 2000, NNSA is a semi-autonomous agency within the U.S. Department of Energy responsible for enhancing national security through the military application of nuclear science. NNSA maintains and enhances the safety, security, reliability and performance of the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile without nuclear testing. The Agency also works to reduce global danger from weapons of mass destruction, provides the U.S. Navy with safe and effective nuclear propulsion, and responds to nuclear and radiological emergencies in the U.S. and abroad.
Source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
