ISTC in BRIEF ISTC in Brief Nonproliferation Through Science Cooperation
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ISTC IN BRIEF ISTC in Brief Nonproliferation through Science Cooperation The objectives of the ISTC are to: n Provide weapons scientists in the CIS the opportunity to redirect their talents to peaceful activities n Support basic and applied research and technology development n Contribute to the transition to market-based economies n Foster the integration of scientists and engineers from CIS states into the global scientific community n Contribute to solving national and international technical problems The International Science and Technology Center acceded to the ISTC, and now participate as financing (ISTC) was established by international agreement in members in ISTC activities. November 1992 as a nonproliferation program to pro- Since beginning operation in March 1994, the ISTC vide peaceful research opportunities to weapons scien- has funded over 840 peaceful scientific projects engag- tists and engineers in Commonwealth of Independent ing over 30,000 scientists and engineers at nearly 420 States (CIS) countries. institutes in the CIS. These projects cover a broad range Although the end of the Cold War greatly reduced of science and technology areas, many of which address the threat to international security posed by a super- problems of global importance such as: power confrontation, it presented a different pressing concern: the defection of scientists and engineers with • Environmental remediation and monitoring knowledge related to weapons of mass destruction • Improved safety for nuclear reactors (WMD) and their delivery systems from elite research • Innovative methods for nuclear waste manage- institutes in the former Soviet Union to rogue nations ment and terrorist groups. The proliferation of technologies related to nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons and • New vaccines and treatments for bacterial and the missile systems used to deliver them presents one of viral diseases the most serious threats to peace and security faced by • Efficient concepts for future energy production. the international community today. Acting to prevent potential proliferation of WMD As the ISTC enters 2000, the Center continues to technology from CIS weapons institutes, Japan, Russia, expand its capabilities, coordinating the efforts and re- the United States and the European Communities es- sources of numerous member governments, public and tablished the ISTC to assist these institutes and their international organizations, and private industry. Many highly qualified scientists in adapting to the post-Cold Center programs and activities support other nonprolif- War environment. In the CIS, Armenia, Belarus, Geor- eration initiatives. The ISTC retains its central role in gia, Kazakstan and the Kyrgyz Republic are members of the nonproliferation of weapons technologies and through the ISTC. Norway and the Republic of Korea have also this contributes to global security. ANNUAL REPORT 1999 1 Statement from the ISTC Executive Director of the Center that touched sensitive matters. It has also been to entrust to its executive arm - the Secretariat - the implementation of the consensual policy developed by the Board with sufficient flexibility to adapt to a changing environment and sufficient initiative not to become a soulless administrative machine. Owing to that, the Center was able to permanently take up new challenges, and show responsiveness to these challenges, which allowed qualifying the ISTC as “a second generation international organization.” One striking example of this responsiveness is the way the Center could launch in July of 1999 fourteen projects in support to Y2K problem prevention and remediation, while the Governing Board took the decision and pledged the funds in March of same year. The Center has been able to spend more than $45 million over 1999 for projects and activities serving its objectives. Two hundred one new projects were approved, for a total funding of $42 million. Worth highlighting is the share of projects funded by ISTC Partners; with a total of $8 million, it represents nearly 20% of total project funding, a trend confirming the attractiveness of the ISTC for many organizations, intergovernmental like CERN, and also tens of private companies. Dr. Alain Gerard was appointed as Executive Director of the With now over 230 projects completed, out of which 112 ISTC in February 1997. He is a graduate of Ecole Polytechnique were completed during 1999, the challenge of exploiting the in Paris and received a Ph.D. in particle physics from Paris-Sud results of these projects, implementing the technologies developed, University. Prior to joining the ISTC as Deputy Executive identifying commercial potential, and helping institutes to reach Director in 1993, he held positions as nuclear physicist, sustainability has become a focal point for Center activities. The scientific advisor, and program manager with the French Atomic “Valorization Task Force” established within the Secretariat in Energy Commission 1998 has focused its efforts in 1999 on better assessment of commercial value of technologies developed through ISTC- sponsored projects. The accompanying program of training project managers to business management has reached an unprecedented In March 1999, the ISTC celebrated its fifth anniversary level. since it started operation. This milestone was an occasion for the The ISTC continued to improve its visibility in the rest of ISTC to take stock of its already impressive accomplishments the world through a revamped Internet web page, its regular over such a short period, but also to dedicate thoughts to the electronic bulletin sent to hundreds of correspondents, and formidable challenges it is still facing. It was also for me an continuous upgrading of information management and com- opportunity to look into the past and take stock of the seven munication. The new release of thousands of “Promising Research years I have been serving in different capacities in the ISTC. Abstracts” on CD-ROM will again fertilize a new harvest of When I participated in the Preparatory Committee meeting, interest in the Center’s activities. in February 1993, chaired by Glenn Schweitzer, the Executive The next Executive Director Statement will not be drafted Director designate, many people around the table doubted our from my pen. A few months before leaving the ISTC, I would Center would ever happen. When the Governing Board met for like to express my sincere gratitude to all the people, who have the first time in March 1994, and appointed me Deputy Executive constantly supported my action and contributed to make these Director, many people still viewed the ISTC as a kind of crash seven years of my assignment the most exciting and rewarding program, whose initial $70 million pledge would allow the Center challenge I ever met during my professional life. My thanks to stay alive for five years. As early as 1996 however, project apply to the constant support I received from the Governing funding surpassed $100 million and the Center continued to Board and government representatives. grow steadily. I want to address my last words to my colleagues in the When I will leave the Center in year 2000, after three years Secretariat: to my deputy directors and executive staff, who all serving as Executive Director, I am proud to say I will leave contributed to maintain - through our weekly Management behind me a fantastic tool, which has the potential to continue Committee meetings - the team spirit so essential for an serving for many years its objectives: reducing proliferation threats, organization mixing various activities and various cultures; to supporting peaceful research and development in the New the heads of Branch Offices, who held firmly the ISTC flag in Independent States, and promoting cooperation between scientists faraway republics; to all our staff, whose tireless dedication built of CIS countries and scientists in Europe, America, Japan, and the image of efficiency and reliability of the Center; and to my Korea. closest collaborators, who met the additional challenge of keeping One key of the success of the ISTC has been its ability to me in high spirits in spite of day-to-day adversity. overcome obstacles through permanent consultation between the governments, and never let conflicts prevail over the activities Alain Gerard 2 ANNUAL REPORT 1999 Statement from the Chairman of the ISTC Governing Board Most importantly, the ISTC has kept its eye on the future, never forgetting its role in shaping a better, safer world for everyone. In one sense, progress has been evolutionary in that each year’s program has built upon the accomplishments of the previous year. In another sense, steps such as the Partner Program and funding biological, chemical, and other non-nuclear proposals were more bold in expanding the value of the ISTC to all Parties. In every case, however, high, internationally recognized accounting, personnel, and scientific management standards have given the ISTC a solid foundation upon which to build. Now we confront the Year 2000, a significant milestone that provides additional motivation to re-examine all our endeavors. Intense public discussion of the Year 2000 highlights the context in which the ISTC must function. Technology is advancing rapidly and human institutions are having difficulty keeping pace. Timely cooperation within the ISTC on the so-called Y2K computer «bug» was but one highly symbolic example of how ISTC Parties have worked together to mitigate risks associated with Dr. Ronald F.