D.C. to Host Proliferation Security Initiative Meeting This Month

The United States will host a Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) meeting this month in Washington, D.C., to “examine changes in the proliferation and interdiction landscape” and “identify specific areas where PSI states can further focus their efforts,” according to the Department of State. The Jan. 27 conference, to be hosted by Assistant Secretary of State Thomas Countryman, will include presentations and panel discussions on enhancing critical capabilities and practices, the role of proliferation finance, and related topics.

In accordance with the PSI’s Statement of Interdiction Principles, participating countries commit “to establish a more coordinated and effective basis through which to impede and stop WMD, their delivery systems, and related items,” the State Department said. Over 100 countries endorse the PSI, including Russia, France, Norway, and Uzbekistan. The role of the PSI was reinforced by President Barack Obama in his 2009 Prague speech, in which he “first called for the PSI to continue as an enduring international counterproliferation effort,” the State Department said.