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Nuclear Threat Initiative Annual Report 2009 the World Is at a Tipping Point

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Nuclear Threat Initiative Annual Report 2009 the World Is at a Tipping Point The world is at a tipping point. nuclear threat initiative annual report 2009 The Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) is a non- profit, non-partisan organization with a mission to strengthen global security by reducing the risk of use and preventing the spread of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons, and to work to build the trust, transparency and security which are preconditions to the ultimate fulfillment of the Non-Proliferation Treaty’s goals and ambitions. b NTI Contents Nuclear Threat Initiative 2009 Annual Report 2 Letter from the Co-Chairmen 6 About NTI 01 Nuclear 22 Biological 82 Chemical 03 Public Education 63 Board of Directors 74 Advisors to the Board of Directors 25 Officers and Staff 55 Get Involved ANNUAL REPORT 2009 1 Letter from the Co-Chairmen In September of 2009, President Barack Obama did something no U.S. President In its first year, the Obama Administration had done in the history of the United Nations: He called for and presided over a UN also released its National Strategy for Coun- Security Council Summit. In that session, he and his fellow heads of state voted tering Biological Threats — forward move- on a resolution “to create the conditions for a world without nuclear weapons,” ment on another critical issue for NTI. NTI endorsing steps such as arms reductions, a ban on testing, negotiating a treaty to has addressed the biological security threat end production of nuclear weapons material and locking down all nuclear materials since its inception, working to improve health in four years. security, prevent bioterrorism, promote coop- eration and reduce tensions in the most The assembled heads of state approved with fewer nuclear weapons and perhaps conflict-prone areas on earth. it unanimously, and a British newspaper led one day, a world free of nuclear weapons.” Today, with the global embrace of the its coverage with the line: “The world took Then-British Prime Minister Brown said vision of a world without nuclear weapons its first concerted step toward getting rid of he is “committed to creating the conditions and the steps needed to get there, combined nuclear weapons today.” After the vote, world for a world free from nuclear weapons” and with the emergence of a common under- leaders rallied behind the effort. described “major steps toward disarma- standing of the biological threat, more President Medvedev of Russia called the ment” already taken by the United Kingdom. leaders are supporting NTI’s long-term resolution “a realistic program of action… Both of us were in the UN Chamber that agenda of reducing dangers. that will dramatically improve the situation in historic day and proud that these heads of Last year saw significant forward move- the world.” state were endorsing much of the Nuclear ment on NTI issues. It was also a momentous President Hu Jintao of China said, “To Threat Initiative’s work since its founding in year for its leadership. Charles B. Curtis, one create a safer world for all, we must first and 2001. of the visionaries of NTI and its founding foremost remove the threat of nuclear war.” NTI has been working for nearly a president, stepped down in December 2009 French President Sarkozy said, “We fully decade to lock down weapons and mate- as NTI’s president and chief operating officer, support President Obama’s initiative” and rials, change Cold War postures, reduce after nine years in that role. spoke of “our commitment to a future world nuclear arsenals and limit the spread of Charlie has been at the center of every uranium enrichment facilities. NTI accomplishment, with his expertise espe- 2 NTI cially vital in conceiving the nuclear fuel bank NTI. In nine years as senior vice president for Committee and at the U.S. Department of and helping establish the World Institute for programs and operations, Joan has mastered Defense. Nuclear Security. He was also an early and both the big vision and precise details of NTI’s While at NTI, Joan helped arrange effective voice in highlighting the crucial role work — and she has done so by drawing on and design a high-level military exercise of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in preventing the terrorist theft of nuclear weapons materials. He success- fully called for greater global funding for the Agency and initiated a $1.15 million grant from NTI that has led to an IAEA Nuclear Security Fund annual budget of more than $25 million. Although he will no longer run the day- to-day operations of NTI, Charlie’s positive impact will continue as a board member and with the growth of the projects he launched during his tenure as president. Charlie’s Joan Rohlfing, NTI’s president, and Charles Curtis, NTI’s president emeritus. leadership was best summed up when he received The Energy Daily 2009 Leadership wide-ranging experience, technical fluency between India and Pakistan to increase Award for Public Policy. The judges noted and strategic vision, born of her work in the understanding of consequences of nuclear that “In addition to his professional accom- U.S. government. war. She helped conceive the Nuclear plishments, Curtis is the rare Washington Before joining NTI, Joan was senior Security Project, drawing on her expert player who has earned across-the-board — advisor for national security to the secretary understanding of the strategic role of and across-the-aisle — admiration as a skilled, of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and nuclear weapons and how to reduce reli- thoughtful and principled public servant.” also director of DOE’s Office of Nonprolif- ance without sacrificing security. Her contri- When they lose a founding leader, many eration and National Security. In the tumul- butions to NTI will be even more keenly felt organizations suffer a loss of vision and tuous aftermath of the Indian and Pakistani as she assumes the role of president. GES momentum. But not if you’re lucky enough to nuclear tests in the spring of 1998, Joan Both Charlie and Joan have helped MA y I ETT name a successor who is herself a veteran took a nine-month assignment in New Delhi shape and guide every major initiative of NTI /G NTER I and early architect of the organization. to advise the U.S. Ambassador on nuclear since its inception. We are very grateful for W in v E In 2000, Joan Rohlfing helped develop security issues. She has also served on the their expertise and leadership during this crit- y K B the Scoping Study that led to the launch of staff of the U.S. House Armed Services ical time for our nation and the world. H P OTO ANNUAL REPORT 2009 3 While 2009 and early 2010 were notable for many positive milestones, we also want to 2009 HIgHlIgHTS recognize an important loss. Dr. Arnold Kanter, a great friend, a former top official at the U.S. State Department and an analyst who played Nuclear Security Project: In coordination with Stanford Univer- an important consulting role at NTI, died sity’s Hoover Institution, NTI supports the work of George Shultz, in April 2010. We wish to acknowledge his William Perry, Henry Kissinger and Sam Nunn in their global effort many contributions to NTI, to our nation and to to reduce reliance on nuclear weapons, to prevent their spread into the larger international affairs community. potentially dangerous hands and ultimately to end them as a threat The world is at a tipping point – but it to the world. can tip in more than one direction. By taking In January 2007, they published the first of a series of op-eds in steps today to reduce nuclear and biological The Wall Street Journal, titled “A World Free of Nuclear Weapons.” dangers, we can trigger fresh momentum for The op-ed linked a vision of a world free of nuclear weapons with more actions that tip us toward a more prom- urgent and substantive steps designed to reduce nuclear dangers. ising tomorrow. Through 2009 and 2010, momentum for the vision and steps This is our vision. We have deep gratitude accelerated. Major events advanced both policy and public aware- for the support which enables NTI’s work, ness — from international events with high-level officials, to new whether it is in the form of one-time contri- studies, to the release of the NTI-sponsored documentary, Nuclear butions from hundreds of individuals around Tipping Point, which was screened at the White House, hosted by the world who have been inspired by our President Barack Obama. work or grants from major foundations and Above all, the last year has brought dramatic, substantive steps donors like Warren Buffett, Pete Peterson, by world leaders – highlighted at the Nuclear Security Summit, Frederick Iseman, George Russell, the Carn- where the largest number of heads of state ever to meet in Wash- egie Corporation of New york and the John ington signed a pact to secure all vulnerable nuclear materials in D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. four years. We hope many more will join us. These developments were unthinkable a few years ago. Then, visit www.nti.org to find out more about many experts dismissed the vision of a world without nuclear how you can help work for a safer world. weapons as “wishful thinking.” Today, consensus is building for the opposite view: What’s wishful is thinking that we can keep on the same course and avoid a nuclear catastrophe. Ted Turner Sam Nunn Co-Chairman Co-Chairman 4 NTI World Institute for Nuclear Security (WINS): NTI helped prepared. The next step: To create a global network by connecting conceive and create this new, first-of-its-kind organization to regional groups, which could make an enormous difference in strengthen the security of nuclear mate- strengthening global health security.
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