DECC's Nuclear Non-Proliferation Policy Unit
The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Policy Unit leads on DECC’s policy interest relating to non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.
The UK’s obligations in this area stem from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). This is subject to a rolling five-year review process, for which the Unit contributes to the UK position. However, the majority of the Unit’s work falls into two main areas related to the NPT:
DECC provides major support to the UK member on the Board of Governors of the IAEA, which is Her Majesty's Ambassador to the Republic of Austria and UK Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other International Organisations in Vienna.
The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Policy Unit also:
- Leads on IAEA general policy and financial issues, and co-ordinates briefings for meetings of the Board of Governors and the General Conference
- Oversees nuclear safeguards policy with industry and other government departments
- Has the DECC policy interest for the Zangger Committee and the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). See the International export control regimes web page for more detail. These organisations provide the basis for the UK’s nuclear-related export controls.
- Work in conjunction with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in the drafting and implementation of Nuclear Cooperation Agreements (NCAs) between the UK and countries which have signed the NPT and are committed to developing nuclear power for energy use only.
- Contributes to developing the UK position on these regimes. Working with the Export Control Organisation (ECO) on nuclear-related export licence applications (ELAs), the Unit ensures the UK’s commitments under these export regimes are met. For more information on this programme, contact the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Policy Unit (see below).
Contact us
For more information on non-proliferation nuclear work, please contact us:
- by email at contact.nnp@decc.gsi.gov.uk
- by phone on + 0300 068 5942
- or by writing to:
The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Policy Unit
Room G01
Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC)
3 Whitehall Place
London
SW1A 2AW
United Kingdom