The World Selection Committee For the Nuclear Weapons Proliferation Program

The World Selection Committee consists of six people who meet every year to assess the programs and activities of IAEA, specializing in nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction technologies. The committee first decides the objectives of the organization. The purpose is then defined according to the IAEA organizational structure and based on relevant criteria. The other objectives of the World Selection Committee are then evaluated against this overall objective.

The objectives of the World Selection Committee relate specifically to the IAEA activities and projects in the Nuclear Weapon States and each of the countries which are a part of the organization. For instance, what are the challenges for developing countries in terms of the proliferation process, how can one young world leader or one Middle Eastern nation, contribute to enhancing the security situation in the Middle East, how can one young world leader or one Middle Eastern nation be able to assist efforts for global and regional peace and stability and how can one young world leader or one Middle Eastern nation improve its economy, without compromising on its defense capabilities? Another important area is how can one young world leader, who is committed to IAEA activities, play a key role in IAEA oversight and ensuring that the organization’s activities are in compliance with the NPT and the United Nation Security Council (UNSC) resolutions and with the provisions of the United Nation’s Non Proliferation Protocol (NPT). In this regard, how is the selection procedure done and is the same held for women? This is important as women comprise almost half the members of the committee.

The World Selection Committee also determines which countries will be allowed to participate in the Programmes and activities of the IAEA and which countries will be excluded. The criteria of the Programmes and activities include: peace and security, environment, and human rights. This means that the list of participating nations must be composed of nations that meet the IAEA’s stated objectives, which are to promote a peaceful environment, human rights, and a secure and free society. The list should also ensure that these nations have the necessary capability to conduct relevant IAEA activities and comply with its NPT provisions. If not, then the program is deemed to be incomplete.

The committee makes the final decision. Its composition and the reasons for their selection are not disclosed for the public. However, the organization indicates that the composition of the committee is based on three broad criteria. These are based on geographical representation, gender and seniority among others. The organization says that it has achieved similar results with both male and female selection committees. The only time when the IAEA has been admitted to participate in the committee process was after its first attempt at world wide acceptance was rejected by the UNSC in 2021.

The Nuclear Weapons Non-Proliferation Program assists in the search for international terrorists and their weapons. It is part of the United Nations Security Council’s effort to disarm all nuclear weapons in the world. The program does not, however, target any nation state. Countries that have nuclear weapons programs are not necessarily targeted either. The reason for this is that the Non Proliferation Treaty does not apply to those nations that have nuclear weapons; they must comply with the treaty’s other provisions.

If a country is approved as a non nuclear weapon state, then the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Program may provide assistance in training nuclear weapons storage and maintenance, in compliance with the terms of the Non Proliferation treaty. Countries that are accepted into the program are monitored to ensure that they are complying with the terms and conditions. Each country is assessed based on its ability to accept and provide necessary assistance. In addition to the countries listed above, other nations that may become nuclear weapon states are expected to be assessed as well.