Publication

This paper examines the technical and organizational aspects of verifying a future fissile material cut-off treaty (FMCT) consistent with the 1995 mandate, with a focus on the IAEA's role. It concludes that, although the IAEA would have important comparative advantages in implementing any FMCT verification regime, for that regime to be effective requires adapting the agency's current structure, competences and practices to the new mission. The main recommendation is that negotiators should create two bodies: a dedicated verification body that would be part of the IAEA but would operate autonomously, in coordination with an independent FMCTO that would be created as a permanent treaty-implementation body.