Transparency data

Countering Proliferation: objectives 2019 to 2020

Published 19 September 2019

1. Overview

The UK’s overall objective for this programme is to prevent the spread or further development of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear capability or advanced military technology, as well as the illicit transfer of conventional weapons, which could threaten global or regional stability. This is set out in full in the National Counter Proliferation Strategy to 2020 and the FCO’s counter proliferation programme strategy. The FCO works to advance this objective through the rules based international system thus helping to safeguard international security against proliferation-related risks, and protecting UK interests. This helps us to protect our people and populations worldwide, advancing the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, through reducing security threats, as well as supporting the UK’s objectives under its National Security Strategy and UK Aid Strategy.

2. FCO objectives on countering proliferation

Rules and norms to counter the proliferation of illicit arms and weapons of mass destruction play a vital role in our security. The National Counter Proliferation Strategy identifies two key proliferation-related risks:

• attacks using Chemical, Biological, Radiological or Nuclear (CBRN) weapons
• weapons proliferation: increase in either conventional armaments or CBRN technology

FCO efforts to address these risks are focused on 3 strands of work:

• influencing intent: encouraging all states to adhere to norms on the possession and use of particular weapons, and to demonstrate the consequences of breaching those norms
• controlling access: controlling access to materials and knowledge globally to make it as hard as possible for states or terrorists to acquire or develop capabilities
• disrupting networks: disrupting illicit attempts to circumvent controls

3. Official Development Assistance (ODA) and countering proliferation

FCO’s countering proliferation programme is funded by a blend of ODA and non-ODA funds. ODA scoring within the programme is limited to ODA-eligible activities in DAC-listed countries.

Activities funded by this programme support the security, prosperity and development of ODA-eligible countries in various ways, including through activities which strengthen global rules and institutions supporting international peace and security which ODA-eligible countries rely on in order to develop.

Counter-proliferation is a key tenet of any country’s national security. Activity such as promoting robust export controls prevents the unregulated transfers of conventional arms and dual use goods which can feed instability and conflict in poorer countries. To that end, we are working to strengthen stockpile security, build capacity to destroy surpluses, and improve law enforcement cooperation e.g. in sub-Saharan Africa. Establishing and maintaining rules and laws to counter the proliferation of CBRN allows developing economies to benefit from the peaceful uses of these technologies, while ensuring that the technologies do not fall into the hands of terrorists or criminals.

4. Countering proliferation project objectives

The UK provides assistance to ODA-eligible countries in signing and ratifying international treaties, developing national legislation, and developing their capacity to implement controls. It also seeks to support the international treaties, regimes and organisations, which provide the crucial underpinning of these controls.

In support of this, key work streams under this programme include activities to:

• improve civilian capacity at a national level to implement CBRN international security regimes, treaties and initiatives
• increase awareness and understanding of CBRN security issues and the roles and responsibilities of states, industry and academia
• improve export controls, including the integration of internationally recognised controls in national legislation in ODA-eligible countries
• improve states’ implementation of United Nation Security Council (UNSC) sanctions resolutions
• support, strengthen and extend the rules-based international regimes, treaties and organisations which prevent the spread of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) and underpin global non-proliferation, security and disarmament norms
• increase effective implementation of global conventional arms control and counter-proliferation norms, treaties and obligations by ODA-eligible countries
• reduce illicit proliferation and diversion risks to make it as hard as possible for criminals, terrorists and illegal armed groups to access Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear materials and expertise as well as conventional weapons and ammunition, and denying States the capabilities and their means of delivery that would threaten stability and UK vital interests - including overseas.

5. Geographical coverage of countering proliferation programme during financial year 2019 to 2020

Much of this programme’s work is conducted through multilateral institutions such as the United Nations, G7, European Union, and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, as well as through non-governmental organisations with expertise in counter-proliferation issues. We work closely with such partners across a wide range of geographical areas where there is a need to support counter-proliferation efforts.

6. Countering proliferation programme during financial year 2018 to 2019

Past successes under this programme have included support to international investigations into chemical weapons use in Syria and support to aspiring states and new members of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) to improve their arms control systems so that they meet the Treaty’s obligations.

The programme’s work and impact is long term and is continuing throughout financial year 19/20. A number of projects in the 2019 to 2020 programme continue work started in 2018 to 2019 on nuclear verification and capacity building.

Successes for financial year 2018 to 2019 include:

• raising awareness of obligations and expectations in nuclear weapons possession, non-proliferation and disarmament on all states, which enabled a constructive dialogue on this highly polarised issue. Phase 2 of this work is being funded this year in the run up to the Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference in 2020
• the creation of a regional community of best practice on security in the MENA region
• work to support civilian disarmament in Africa focusing on youth which increased awareness of the need for disarmament and encouraged voluntary surrender of SALW

7. Counter proliferation programme budget for financial year 2019 to 2020

The ODA budget for the counter proliferation programme is £600,000.