Countries convene for non-proliferation workshop in Hawaii

Between 8 and 12 August, the US government is hosting a Proliferation Security Initiative (or ‘PSI’) called Fortune Guard 22, which ‘will bring together 21 countries to address the full range of weapons of mass destruction counterproliferation interdiction-related activities, from whole-of-government rapid decision making to operational interdiction, seizure, and disposition.’ The event takes place in Honolulu, Hawaii.

It says, ‘Fortune Guard 22 will feature expert briefs; a scenario-based tabletop discussion; a chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear response subject-matter-expert information exchange; and live exercises to demonstrate Weapons of Mass Destruction (‘WMD’) interdiction capabilities.’

The PSI ‘was established in 2003 to stop or impede transfers of WMD, their delivery systems, and related materials flowing to and from states and non-state actors of proliferation concern,’ according to the US State Department which said that to date,

‘107 states have endorsed the PSI Statement of Interdiction Principles. In doing so, they have committed to take effective measures to interdict WMD-related transfers consistent with national law and international obligations, adopt streamlined procedures for rapid information exchange, and strengthen relevant national and international laws and frameworks.’