TheNuclear Threat Initiative, generally referred to asNTI, is an American non-profit organization located in Washington, D.C. NTI was founded in 2001 by former U.S. SenatorSam Nunn and philanthropistTed Turner and describes itself as a "a nonprofit, nonpartisan global security organization focused on reducing nuclear, biological, and emerging technology threats imperiling humanity."[1]
NTI has four policy programs: the Global Nuclear Policy Program, Nuclear Materials Security, Emerging Tech, and Global Biological Policy and Programs (stylized as NTI | bio).[2]
The Nuclear Threat Initiative is a nonprofit, nonpartisan global security organization focused on reducing nuclear, biological, and emerging technology threats imperiling humanity.[1]
NTI was founded in 2001 by former U.S. Senator Sam Nunn and philanthropistTed Turner.[3] The launch event was held at theNational Press Club on January 8, 2001.[4] An event celebrating NTI's 20th anniversary was held on April 12, 2022, with a one-year delay due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.[5]
NTI supported the development of an international low-enriched uranium bank to help prevent the proliferation of nuclear technology.[6] NTI advisorWarren Buffett provided $50 million to jump-start the reserve, which is owned and managed by theInternational Atomic Energy Agency and located in Kazakhstan.[6] The bank became fully operational in October 2019 after receiving its first shipment of uranium.[7]
NTI provided technical and financial support to help convert 2,900 kilograms of highly enriched uranium to low-enriched uranium in Kazakhstan in 2005.[9] The organization committed $1.3 million for reactor safety systems.[8]
NTI has produced a biennial "Nuclear Security Index" in partnership withEconomist Impact since 2012.[10] The "NTI Index" benchmarks nuclear security conditions across 176 countries.[11]
As part of the Index, NTI also develops and releases a Radioactive Source Security Assessment that includes recommendations on securing and eliminating radiological sources used and stored at thousands of sites across more than 100 countries.[11]
The Global Health Security Index, produced by NTI, theJohns Hopkins Center for Health Security, and Economist Impact, is a biennial index that assesses countries' preparedness to respond to pandemics and epidemics.[12] The GHS Index assesses 195 countries' abilities to prevent, detect, and respond to health emergencies based on publicly available information.[13]
World Health Organization–Nuclear Threat Initiative Emergency Outbreak Response Fund
NTI regularly convenes meetings among global nuclear security experts and government officials to discuss issues related to nuclear security.[15] Global Dialogue summits have taken place in France, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Germany, Austria, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Japan.[16]
In 2003, NTI created the Middle East Consortium for Infectious Disease Surveillance (MECIDS) with participation fromIsrael,Jordan, and thePalestinian Authority.[17] MECIDS shares official health data and conducts infectious disease prevention training.[citation needed]
Ernest J. Moniz has served as chief executive officer since June 2017, and Joan Rohlfing serves as president and chief operating officer.[23] Co-chaired by Moniz, Nunn, andTed Turner, NTI is governed by a board of directors with both current and emeritus members from around the globe.[citation needed]
Ambassador Hamad Alkaabi, permanent representative of the United Arab Emirates to theInternational Atomic Energy Agency and special representative for International Nuclear Cooperation
NTI receives funding from a number of sources, including foundations, individuals, non-U.S. governments, and corporations.[24] Funders and financial information are listed in NTI's annual report, which is published online each year. The organization does not accept U.S. government funding.[25]
^Nunn, Sam; Turner, R. E."2001 Annual Report"(PDF).Nuclear Threat Initiative.Archived(PDF) from the original on June 8, 2022. RetrievedFebruary 24, 2023.
