About the Proliferation Security Initiative

The Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) is an international initiative under which participating countries cooperate in accordance with international law to stop illicit shipments of weapons of mass destruction, their delivery systems, and related materials.

PSI is focused on combating the proliferation of chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons, their delivery systems, and related materials through collaboration and proactive action between participating countries. "Dual use goods" that have peaceful, legitimate uses, but may also be used in Weapons of Mass Destruction programmes are often a frequent focus of the Proliferation Security Initiative.

The Initiative was launched in 2003 by the United States and has been endorsed by over 90 countries including New Zealand.

PSI works within existing laws - it does not seek to create any new legal arrangements or commitments. Any action taken under the Proliferation Security Initiative must be in line with both domestic and international law. It is not a stand-alone initiative, but rather complements and builds on wider efforts by the international community to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

Countries that endorse the Proliferation Security Initiative's Statement of Interdiction Principles determine their own degree of participation in activities which are entirely voluntary. The Proliferation Security Initiative is a set of activities that countries engage in, not an organisation.

Participants aim to share information and act when necessary to disrupt the trafficking of weapons of mass destruction or related materials. The Proliferation Security Initiative seeks cooperation from countries whose vessels, flags, ports, waters, airspace or land might be used for the trafficking of weapons of mass destruction. Countries that endorse the Initiative commit to establishing 'best practices' to stop shipments of weapons of mass destruction and related materials.
Proliferation Security Initiative endorsing countries share information, inspect suspicious cargo at their borders, review their export controls and other legislation, and impede the transportation of weapons of mass destruction by sea or air by boarding ships and aircraft (interdiction), as permitted by domestic and international law.

In a speech to the Madrid Summit in March 2005, former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said "I applaud the efforts of the Proliferation Security Initiative to fill a gap in our defences".