High-level seminar for Geneva-based diplomats on the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism (ICSANT)

27 March 2026

Intervention of H.E. Mrs. Vasilika Hysi, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Albania in Geneva

 

Honourable Excellences,

Distinguished participants,

Ms. Brandolino,

Mrs. Nibarger

 

I am deeply honored to take part at this High-level Panel on the universalization and implementation efforts of the Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism (ICSANT.)

 

Allow me at the outset to express my sincere appreciation to the organizers of this third activity: the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and United States of America in their continued efforts to raise the awareness on Convention and its importance as the only legally binding global instrument dedicated to preventing and criminalizing acts of nuclear terrorism.

 

Republic of Albania reaffirms its strong support for the Convention as a key component of the global nuclear security architecture and its central role in international efforts to reduce the risk that nuclear or radiological materials could be acquired or used by non state actors. The Convention establishes a comprehensive legal framework that requires States Parties to criminalise a range of acts involving nuclear or radiological material when used with terrorist intent.

Albania became the 121st State Party to ICSANT in September 2023. For Albania, accession to ICSANT reflects a clear commitment to strengthening the international legal framework against nuclear terrorism and to supporting global efforts aimed at preventing the misuse of nuclear and radiological materials.

The ratification followed a period of close cooperation with international partners, including the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the United Nations Office of Counter Terrorism , and the European Union, but most of all the calls of the United States.

The ratification process also forms part of Albania’s broader efforts to align its legal and institutional framework with European Union standards, in particular under Chapter 24 on Justice, Freedom, and Security.

Following ratification, Albania has focused on the effective implementation of the Convention through several measures, including the alignment of national legislation with the obligations arising from ICSANT, strengthening institutional coordination among relevant authorities, training of prosecutors, judges, and legal practitioners on the Convention and its practical application, participation in capacity building initiatives organised by international partners.

Albania has also been engaged actively in regional and international initiatives aimed at strengthening awareness and practical understanding of the Convention. In 2024 Albania co-hosted, together with UNODC, a regional mock trial exercise on ICSANT, bringing together prosecutors, judges, and legal experts to simulate the application of the Convention in a realistic judicial scenario.

Distinguished participants,

Albania strongly supports the universalisation and effective implementation of ICSANT. The threat of nuclear terrorism, although rare, remains real and evolving. The potential consequences of the malicious use of nuclear or radiological materials could be catastrophic for national security, public health, and international peace and stability.

In this context, Albania believes that the strength of the Convention resides both in its binding legal obligations and in the cooperation mechanisms it fosters among States. The wider the participation in ICSANT, the stronger and more coherent the international legal framework becomes, reducing potential gaps that could be exploited by terrorist actors.

For this reason, Albania supports continued international efforts aimed at encouraging additional States to join the Convention and at strengthening national capacities for its implementation.

Albania highlights that the threat posed by the potential misuse of nuclear and radiological materials requires sustained international cooperation and robust national legal frameworks.

Finally,

Albania encourages States that have not yet done so to consider joining ICSANT and welcomes the continued support provided by international organisations such as UNODC and UNOCT in assisting States in the ratification and implementation process.

Thank you for your attention