NNSA delivers annual nuclear nonproliferation report to Congress

WASHINGTON - The Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) has released "Prevent, Counter, and Respond-NNSA's Plan to Reduce Global Nuclear Threats (NPCR) FY 2025-2029."

This annual report highlights pressing nuclear and radiological challenges and how NNSA provides cross-cutting capabilities to:

• Prevent adversaries from acquiring nuclear weapons or weapons-usable materials, technology, and expertise;
• Counter efforts to acquire such weapons or materials; and
• Respond to nuclear and radiological incidents and accidents domestically or abroad.

"Due to the rapidly shifting global environment and technology development, NNSA has accelerated key nonproliferation efforts with like-minded partners, updated export controls to capture the benefits of emerging and disruptive technologies while mitigating the risks, and prepared for the increase in nuclear power to meet clean energy goals. In this way, we are living our values while doubling down on cooperation with our allies and partners," said Jill Hruby, DOE Under Secretary for Nuclear Security and NNSA Administrator.

The report comes at a delicate time. Russia continues its destabilizing behavior, including "de-ratifying" the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty and deepening ties to Iran and North Korea. China is modernizing and expanding its nuclear arsenal. Climate and energy security challenges are more urgent than ever, and ongoing conflict in the Middle East reaffirms the need for the United States to be prepared to respond to rapidly evolving crises.

The NPCR gives an overview of NNSA's "prevent-counter-respond" framework for the ongoing mission of reducing global nuclear threats. It lays out a detailed strategy to address challenges to the global nuclear nonproliferation regime, including: nuclear armed states; states seeking nuclear weapons; non-state actors intent on acquiring nuclear or radioactive materials for nefarious purposes; and emerging technologies that could lower barriers to proliferation. NNSA implements this prevent-counter-respond framework in close cooperation with interagency and international partners, and leverages the unique expertise and capabilities of the Nuclear Security Enterprise.

The NPCR can be found at this link.