On July 17, Canada announced over $150 million in contributions under the Global Partnership Program. This funding is for a number of new projects in Russia and other countries of the former Soviet Union.

One of the most serious threats facing the world today is that of terrorists acquiring weapons of mass destruction and using them. The Global Partnership is helping to ensure that weapons and materials of mass destruction remain beyond the reach of terrorists.

The announcement includes:

a planned contribution of $100 million toward the construction of chemical weapons destruction facilities in Russia;
an agreement to provide $24 million to defuel and dismantle three nuclear submarines in northwestern Russia. This will bring the total number of submarines dismantled with Canada's cooperation to nine;
notice of Canada's intention to allocate $20 million annually for physical protection upgrades at Russian nuclear facilities. Canada has reached agreement with Russia to implement projects at seven Russian nuclear facilities, and plans a $4-million contribution to the International Atomic Energy Agency Nuclear Security Fund to increase nuclear and radiological security in Russia and other countries of the former Soviet Union; and
$4.3 million for 15 new research projects at research institutes in Russia and other countries of the former Soviet Union. These projects will provide peaceful, sustainable employment opportunities for former weapons scientists and are an important element of the Global Partnership. The projects may generate discoveries and technologies of mutual benefit, scientifically and commercially.

The contribution is part of Canada's $1-billion commitment over 10 years to the Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction, launched by the G8 in 2002 under Canada's leadership.

Background

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia inherited vast quantities of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons and/or related destructive and dangerous materials. In addition, tens of thousands of former weapons scientists found themselves unemployed or underemployed. The possibility of terrorist groups or countries of proliferation concern gaining access to these Cold War-era weapons and materials of mass destruction or related technology and know-how represents a real danger to domestic and international security.

To address this threat, the G8-led Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction was launched under Canada's leadership at the 2002 G8 Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta. Close to US$20 billion has been pledged to this 10-year program. The United States is the largest contributor, at US$10 billion, while Russia is the second largest, at $2 billion. Canada has pledged up to C$1 billion. G8 countries have been joined by 13 other donors from around the world (Australia, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, the Republic of Korea, Sweden and Switzerland), and Ukraine has become the second recipient country, after Russia.

Through the Global Partnership, Canada is implementing projects and supporting other activities in Russia and other countries of the former Soviet Union to ensure that weapons and materials of mass destruction remain beyond the reach of terrorists. These efforts include participation in the construction of a chemical weapons destruction facility, the dismantlement of decommissioned nuclear submarines, the enhancement of nuclear and radiological security, the redirection of former weapons scientists and the implementation of actions related to biological non-proliferation.

Canada is implementing these projects in cooperation with Russia, the U.S., the U.K., and other partners and international organizations. The Global Partnership has become a true multinational partnership that demonstrates the collective commitment to reduce the threats posed by weapons and materials of mass destruction and related know-how. Canadian initiatives and support have made a substantial contribution to achieving the Partnership's goals.

Achievements to date and future plans

Chemical weapons destruction:

Canada has contributed more than $100 million to the chemical weapons destruction facility at Shchuch'ye (Russia), chosen because of its large quantity of highly lethal and portable weapons. This amount includes $55 million for equipment for the chemical weapons destruction facility, $33 million for the construction of a secure railway to transport the munitions from the storage to destruction site, and $15 million for support of key infrastructure projects.
Canada is planning to contribute an additional $100 million to complete work at Shchuch'ye and to support the construction of the chemical weapons destruction facility at Kizner (Russia). The latter will destroy nearly 5,700 tonnes of deadly nerve agent stored in some 2 million artillery shells and munitions.
Canada is also providing funds for the establishment and operation of a Green Cross Public Outreach Office, to keep the local population informed of chemical weapons destruction activities.

Nuclear submarine dismantlement:

With this announcement of $24 million, Canada has contributed $85 million to dismantle nuclear submarines in the Russian Arctic. Four have been fully dismantled, with spent fuel removed, and the dismantlement of three more is underway. Similar activity may be undertaken in the future in the Russian Far East.
Canada has also contributed $32 million to the Northern Dimension Environmental Partnership of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, to ensure the secure management of spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste from nuclear submarines.

Nuclear and radiological security:

As announced, Canada will contribute $20 million annually for nuclear and radiological security. Projects will encompass physical protection upgrades at Russian facilities, border security to prevent the illicit trafficking of nuclear materials and the securing of other highly radioactive sources.
Canada has contributed to a project to shut down the last plutonium production reactor at Zheleznogorsk (Russia), committed $65 million to Russia's plutonium disposition program, and worked with Russia, Norway and others to secure vulnerable highly radioactive sources that could be used to construct a "dirty bomb."
In March 2004, Canada contributed $4 million to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), for physical protection upgrades and training and for projects to enhance capabilities to prevent the illicit trafficking of nuclear and radioactive materials in Russia and Central Asia. This announcement includes a second $4-million contribution to the IAEA to continue this work.
In April 2006, Canada announced an $8-million additional contribution to the Chornobyl Shelter Implementation Plan.

Redirection of former weapons scientists:

Canadian scientists and researchers—operating primarily through the International Science and Technology Center (ISTC) in Moscow—carry out cooperative research projects with former Soviet weapons scientists in areas of mutual interest, to support the sustainable, peaceful employment of such scientists. This work also has potential technological benefits for Canada.
To date, Canada has funded a total of 76 projects at the ISTC, worth approximately $20 million and involving the redirection of more than 1,750 former weapons scientists.
As a result of outreach efforts, a growing number of Canadian companies have committed to funding their own partner projects via the ISTC. These include Pratt & Whitney Canada, Barrick Gold, BioPhage Pharma, YM BioSciences and Matregen Corporation.
$4.3 million has just been announced for 15 new research projects in Russian and the former Soviet Union.

Biological non-proliferation:

Addressing biological non-proliferation has become a Canadian priority. Canada has supported a number of biological redirection projects through the ISTC.
Canada has developed a Biosafety and Biosecurity Strategy to guide future programming, with a focus on developing effective and practical national safety standards, establishing national or regional biosafety associations, providing biosafety and biosecurity training, and funding biosafety and biosecurity upgrades.

For more information on the Global Partnership Program visit: http://www.globalpartnership.gc.ca.