The world has changed dramatically in the last decade, and with it, global security requirements. The collapse of the Soviet Union left Russia with vast arsenals of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons and related materials for which it requires additional resources to dispose of and protect. Coupled with the events of September 11th, and the ability or willingness of groups to measure their success in terms of human suffering, these stockpiles urgently need to be secured and destroyed in order to prevent them from falling into the wrong hands. To date, the damage and casualties caused by terrorists by this type of attack has been limited only by the destructiveness of the weapons in their possession.

In recognition of this threat, G8 Leaders agreed on an aggressive strategy to address this pressing problem. Developed under Canadian leadership, the G8 Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction was launched on 27 June 2002 at the Kananaskis Summit. As Chair of the G8 in 2002, Canada was a strong advocate of this effort and led the development of the initiative, its principles and guidelines. As a concrete demonstration of its commitments, the Government of Canada has dedicated up to $1 billion (CDN) over 10 years to initiative in the interest of international security and strategic stability.

Significant progress on the program was reported at the 2003 G8 Summit in Evian, France, such that over $18.5 billion of the 20 billion target set has been reached. Additionally, six new members all from Europe (Finland, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland Sweden and Switzerland), have joined the Partnership. This is acknowledgement of the fact that countering the WMD terrorist threat is beneficial for global security and strategy stability and is in everyone's interest. However, we have not yet reached the funding target and we urge G8 and other partners to reconsider their commitments to this important international security initiative. The Global Partnership represents a serious commitment and is an illustration of what can be achieved through multilateralism when the participants are committed to the goals.

Canada, for its part, has been actively engaged with Russia, the G8 and other partners over the past 18 months in project development and initiation. On 30 May, 2003, Prime Minister Jean Chrétien announced that Canada's initial projects under the Global Partnership would include:

almost $32 million CDN (20 million euros) to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development's program to safely and securely manage spent nuclear fuel from submarine dismantlement in Northern Russia;
$65 million towards Russia's plutonium disposition program, which will dispose of material for thousands of nuclear weapons;
$4 million to the International Atomic Energy Agency to strengthen nuclear and radiological security throughout the Former Soviet Union;
$18 million to fund projects under the International Science and Technology Center in Moscow, to redirect thousands of former weapons scientists into peaceful research activities; and,
$30 million to support the construction of the chemical weapons destruction site at Shchuch'ye (Kurgan Oblast).

Following the Prime Minister's announcement, Canada has formally joined the International Science and Technology Center (ISTC) in Moscow and, on November 19, 2003, Canada and the United Kingdom signed a Memorandum of Understanding on co-operation to support Russia in destroying its chemical weapons stocks. Canada will provide some C$33M (US$25M) which the UK will manage on our behalf, under the terms of the UK-Russia bilateral Treaty. The Canadian funding will finance the construction of a railway which will transport munitions to the Shchuch'ye chemical weapons destruction site. This critical infrastructure project will support the US-funded destruction facility.

Canada is discussing the possibility of cooperation with Russia on the dismantlement of several nuclear submarines in Russia's Northern Fleet, which will address an urgent Northern European environmental and security priority. We have also allocated millions to help secure and destroy material for nuclear weapons in Russia, which is in all of our interests.

These projects reflect Canada's initial approach in identifying and funding cooperation projects. With other agreements and multilateral agreements in place, we can use another country's agreement, such as Britain, and work through their provisions. We prefer a long-term bilateral approach, and officials are currently negotiating the draft legal agreement with Russians officials, but obstacles remain in terms of taxation, liability, and intellectual property rights.

We must reinforce the commitment at Kananaskis which brought our countries together for a common goal and work to counter the urgent threats with which we are all confronted.