Survey on experiences and needs for sharing nonproliferation-relevant information among experts within JAEA

Kawakubo, Yoko; Inoue, Naoko ; Mongiello, R.*; Baldwin, G.*; Lee, N.-Y.*; Chung, J.*; Kwon, E.-H.*

Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) is carrying out a project to design and establish an Information Sharing Framework (ISF) for enhancing nuclear transparency in the Asia Pacific region. This project is a cooperative effort with Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), the Korean Institute for Nuclear Nonproliferation and Control (KINAC), and Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI). In order to design and establish the ISF as a meaningful and sustainable mechanism, it is essential to identify the needs of the potential aparticipants including their expectations and concerns. Therefore partner organizations have conducted on-line surveys and/or face-to-face interviews with the nonproliferation experts within their own organizations that were identified as primary participants of ISF. JAEA carried out several face-to-face interviews with its experts including those who are in charge of nonproliferation R&D, nuclear security implementation coordinator, and training for capacity building and infrastructure development. They were queried as to past experiences and future needs for information exchanges. The survey results indicated that there are various experiences of information sharing in each nonproliferation mission or activity, and there continues to be a need for further information sharing. Findings from the survey will be reflected to the establishment and demonstration of ISF.