Dear Visitor,
Welcome to the official website of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).
The NSG is a group of forty-eight nuclear supplier countries that seeks to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons through the implementation of two sets of Guidelines aimed at ensuring effective control over transfers of nuclear materials, equipment and technologies, as well as nuclear-related dual-use items. These Guidelines not only seek to ensure that nuclear trade for peaceful purposes does not contribute to the proliferation of nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices, but also that legitimate international trade and cooperation in the nuclear field is not hindered in the process.
I invite you to explore the NSG Guidelines and other information on this website, including results of recent Plenary Meetings and an IAEA Information Circular titled “The Nuclear Suppliers Group: Its Guidelines, Origins, Structure, and Role”, (INFCIRC/539 rev. 8). You will also find good practices documents which provide information on national practices of responsible nuclear supplier behaviour and effective transfer controls.
As the only African member of the NSG, it is an honour for South Africa to chair the NSG during 2024/2025 for a second time after hosting the Plenary Week in Cape Town in 2007. I look forward to building on the work of my predecessors to advance the Group's work and express my appreciation to the outgoing NSG Chair, Ambassador Claudia Vieira Santos, for her able leadership.
South Africa looks forward to hosting the 2025 Plenary Week, which will also coincide with the NSG’s 50th Anniversary. This will present an opportunity to not only reflect on what has been achieved over the years, but also to consider the role of the NSG going forward in addressing contemporary challenges including new and emerging technologies and their impact on transfer controls.
NSG controls are particularly important in the context of the current global economic and security environment, as well as the increasing interest in nuclear energy for both electricity generation and non-power applications. Energy poverty continues to stifle economic development in many parts of the world. In Africa, more than 40% of people still lack access to electricity. With new technologies under development, we are witnessing increasing interest in the application of nuclear energy for power generation, including to combat climate change, and the use of non-power applications, many of which can also contribute to the attainment of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in developing countries.
As a reliable trader and responsible possessor of advanced nuclear technologies, South Africa has over the past 30 years greatly benefited from its membership of the NSG, including through the sharing of information by partners which has contributed to the continuous strengthening of our national transfer control system.
The NSG is a technical body and its work focuses on updating the Part 1 (Trigger List) and Part 2 (Dual-Use List) Guidelines. The consolidated changes to the Guidelines (as decided at the last three Plenaries) will be sent to the IAEA in 2025 for official publication as part of the INFCIRC series (INFCIRC/254 Part 1 and Part 2) in accordance with established NSG practice.
The NSG encourages all nuclear suppliers to adhere to the Guidelines. We welcome and recognise that many States have aligned their national export control systems with the NSG Guidelines and Control Lists. Outreach to non-NSG participants remains a priority for the Group and we will engage with a wide range of States during my tenure as NSG Chair.
Industry, research institutions and academia are vital partners in the implementation of controls over sensitive materials, equipment and technologies. They can play a key role in support of enforcement efforts and in adapting controls in response to new and emerging technologies. As Chair, I will continue to encourage the strengthening of outreach to and dialogue with these sectors.
As NSG Chair, I am committed to working closely with both NSG members and non-members to facilitate and ensure the responsible transfer of relevant materials, equipment and technologies for peaceful and developmental purposes, with special consideration for the needs of developing States.
Thank you for your interest in the NSG.
Xolisa Mabhongo
Ambassador (South Africa)
Chair of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (2024-2025)