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Incident and Trafficking Database (ITDB)

This database is the IAEA’s information system on incidents of illicit trafficking and other unauthorized activities and events involving nuclear and other radioactive material outside of regulatory control.  

The ITDB was established in 1995 to help participating States and selected international organizations to combat illicit nuclear trafficking and strengthen nuclear security. It facilitates information exchange and provides material that can be used to analyze patterns and trends, thereby helping identify potential security threats and vulnerabilities. The ITDB is also an essential component of the information platform supporting the IAEA’s Nuclear Security Plan 2022-2025.

The scope of the information provided through the database is broad. States are encouraged to report a variety of incidents, including those – whether successful, unsuccessful or thwarted – involving the illegal trade and movement of nuclear or other radioactive material across national borders.

The ITDB information also covers incidents involving the unauthorized acquisition – for instance through theft, supply, possession, use, transfer or disposal (intentional or unintentional) of nuclear and other radioactive material, with or without crossing international borders. Additionally, the ITDB includes information on the loss of material and the discovery of uncontrolled material, as well as incidents involving the intentional offering for sale of benign material that is purported to be nuclear or otherwise radioactive (in other words, scams).

Information reported so far to the ITDB demonstrates that unsecured nuclear and other radioactive material continues to be available and individuals and groups are prepared to engage in trafficking this material. However, effective border control measures help to detect illicit trafficking, even though effective controls are not uniformly implemented at all international border points.

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