Statement on Nuclear and Radiological Disinformation

On behalf of the Global Partnership Countering WMD Disinformation Initiative

2024 NPT Preparatory Committee Meeting

Geneva, Switzerland

July 2024

Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

I am speaking on behalf of the Countering WMD Disinformation Initiative, a project of the 31-member Global Partnership against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction (Global Partnership). This initiative is funded by Global Affairs Canada and implemented by The Atlantic Council Digital Forensic Research Lab, The Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, King’s College London and Open Nuclear Network. The project is endorsed by the G7-led Global Partership and the G7 Rapid Response Mechanism. [Additional endorsements to be confirmed this week.]

 

Today, we would like to address a critical and growing threat that jeopardises global security: the spread of disinformation in the nuclear and radiological security realm, which poses a significant and growing threat to the objectives of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and to the supporting cooperative threat reduction activities of the Global partnership community. This statement aims to highlight the detrimental effects of such disinformation on the three pillars of the NPT – disarmament, non-proliferation and peaceful uses of nuclear technology – and suggest ways to address this growing threat.

Disarmament

It is now largely accepted that disarmament, a cornerstone of the NPT, is likely to rely heavily on trust and verification. Disinformation campaigns spreading false information about the intentions and actions of states could erode this trust. For instance, the incident in 2016, when false reports claimed US tactical nuclear weapons were being moved from Turkey to Romania, created panic and confusion. Such disinformation can manipulate public perception and influence policy decisions, hindering disarmament efforts.

 

Disinformation can also influence countries’ threat perceptions, potentially hindering disarmament efforts or fuelling an arms race. When nations are led to believe in exaggerated threats, they may respond by increasing their own arsenals, thus undermining global disarmament objectives.

Non-proliferation

The objective of non-proliferation is to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons. However, disinformation can erode trust in international safeguards and verification mechanisms, which are essential for ensuring compliance with non-proliferation obligations.

 

Unfounded allegations, such as those about plans to explode a “dirty bomb” on Ukrainian soil, exemplify broader disinformation campaigns that may justify military escalations and destabilise regions. These tactics undermine international support for affected nations and destabilise entire regions, hindering peaceful resolution efforts and increasing regional instability. Disinformation campaigns can also falsely accuse states of non-compliance or secret nuclear activities, potentially jeopardising regional and global security.

Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy

The peaceful use of nuclear technology, a vital right under the NPT, is critical for sustainable development and energy security. Disinformation can generate unwarranted fear and opposition to nuclear energy and other beneficial applications, significantly hindering their development and implementation. By misrepresenting the safety and environmental impacts of nuclear technology, disinformation campaigns can distort public perception, causing delays or cancellations of projects that could offer substantial benefits to health, energy and industry.

 

Moreover, disinformation undermines public confidence in regulatory bodies and international organisations responsible for overseeing nuclear safety and security. When these institutions are portrayed as ineffective or biased, public trust erodes and support for nuclear projects diminishes.

 

The rapid spread of disinformation is facilitated by social media and AI-generated content, platforms that are particularly vulnerable due to the high volume and speed of information dissemination. This false information can even undermine technical analyses, leading to flawed understandings that affect international treaties and policies.

Call to Action

To address these challenges, we propose a series of steps:

 

  1. Strengthen International Cooperation: Establish a dedicated task force within the NPT framework to monitor, identify and counter nuclear and radiological disinformation.
  2. Enhance Verification Mechanisms: Improve existing verification and transparency measures to build trust among states.
  3. Promote Public Education: Launch comprehensive educational campaigns to inform the public about the realities of nuclear energy and disarmament. Transparent and fact-based communication can help dispel myths and counteract disinformation.
  4. Leverage Technology: Utilise advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence and big data analytics, to detect and analyse disinformation patterns. By understanding the origins and dissemination channels of disinformation, we can develop targeted strategies to mitigate its impact.
  5. Engage Civil Society and Academia: Engagement by civil society and non-governmental organisations can broaden the scope of efforts to combat disinformation, leveraging diverse perspectives and expertise. Academic and policy research on the impacts of disinformation can provide valuable insights and inform strategies. Investing in research specifically focused on nuclear and radiological disinformation can lead to more effective countermeasures and a deeper understanding of these threats.
  6. Promote Media Literacy: Initiatives to enhance media literacy and public awareness can empower individuals and the general public to recognise and reject false information, thereby reducing the effectiveness of disinformation campaigns.

 

We are pleased to report that some measures towards addressing this threat have already commenced. The GP Counter WMD Disinformation Initiative is a coordinated and multi-disciplinary effort to mitigate the threat of disinformation across Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) security. This project, which is being delivered in collaboration with the G7’s Rapid Response Mechanism and other counter-disinformation initiatives, aims to provide a solid evidence base to: identify, understand and develop mitigation strategies; raise awareness; and ultimately reduce the impact of hostile CBRN disinformation.

 

By taking these comprehensive steps, State Parties, international organisations and civil society can protect the treaty’s integrity and ensure global nuclear security. Through coordinated efforts at all levels, we can mitigate the impact of disinformation in the nuclear and radiological security realm and ensure a safer, more secure future for all.

 

We thank you for your attention.

The GP Counter WMD Disinformation Initiative