2013: NATO’s Science programme focuses on emerging security challenges
A total of 51 new Science for Peace and Security (SPS) activities were initiated in 2013, focusing on emerging security challenges such as counter-terrorism, cyber defence and resilience against chemical, biological, radioactive and nuclear (CBRN) weapons.
The SPS Annual Report 2013
The recently published SPS Annual Report 2013 takes stock of the Programme’s key achievements over the last year. Following the implementation of a comprehensive strategic assessment, new overarching guidelines as well as the development of a strategic work programme for 2014, the Programme now seeks to promote increasingly larger scale and more strategic activities that amplify the political impact of NATO’s partnerships. For instance, a multi-year project was launched with Ukraine to develop a neutron detector to counter nuclear terrorism.
2013 illustrated the political importance of the SPS Programme for NATO’s relations with partners. The Programme offers concrete activities and therefore often acts as the first venue for practical cooperation between NATO and a partner country. Last year alone, Iraq, Japan, Malta, Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates initiated activities through the SPS Programme. At the same time, a series of information days were organised in NATO and partner countries to raise awareness of the SPS Programme, promote its work and identify future joint activities.
Looking ahead
Looking ahead, the Assistant Secretary General for Emerging Security Challenges, Ambassador Sorin Ducaru, strongly believes that the new guidance, streamlined management and renewed focus developed in2014 has strengthened the SPS Programme for the future. “I believe that 2014 will be a year of even greater progress in terms of result, impact, and value achieved for the resources allocated to SPS activities in tune with the expectations of our stakeholders – Allies and partners,” he says.
Since 1958, the NATO Science for Peace and Security Programme enhances practical cooperation between NATO and partner countries based on civil science, technology and beyond. Today, it is an established brand and one of the Alliance’s most important civilian partnership tools.
The full SPS Annual Report can be downloaded here.