Country Profile: Costa Rica (Observer)
BASIC FACTS
Costa Rica is anObserver Country of the NAM Movement.
Officially the Republic of Costa Rica, Costa Rica is a presidential republicsituated in Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean.
Capital: San José
Costa Rica does not operate a nuclear power plant, but it works in close partnership with the IAEA on the peaceful applications of nuclear materials and on strengthening nuclear safety.34
Since 2018, Costa Rica has engaged in technical cooperation agreements with IAEA to explore and expand the peaceful applications of nuclear energy in the country, specifically surrounding nuclear science and technology research, from medical physics to radiotherapy. Furthermore, Costa Rica has demonstrateda strong commitment towards nuclear and radiological security. In close coordination with the IAEA, Costa Rica has conducted several assessments for strengthening nuclear security in the region and ensuring that its national response system for any unauthorized activities detected that are related to nuclear materials is appropriately addressed.
Costa Rica has signed, ratified, and enforced the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) in September of 2017, July of 2018, and January of 2021, respectively
TREATIES AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS
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IAEA Membership (1965)6
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Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean (Treaty of Tlatelolco) (1969)7
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Treaty on the Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) (2002)8
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Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) (2021)9
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Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) (2021)
AGREEMENTS (In Force):
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Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (2003)
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Amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (2017)
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Convention on Early Notification of a Nuclear Accident (1991)
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Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency (1991)
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Revised Supplementary Agreements Concerning the Provision of Technical Assistance by the IAEA (RSA) (1982)
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Agreement to further extend the Co-operation Agreement for the Promotion of Nuclear Science and Technology in Latin America and the Caribbean (ARCAL) (2021)
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Agreement between the Republic of Costa Rica and the International Atomic Energy Agency for the application of safeguards in connection with the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (with Protocol) (1979)
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Protocol Additional to the Agreement between the Republic of Costa Rica and the IAEA for the Application of Safeguards in Connection with the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (2011)
REGIONAL GROUPS
- Member of the Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
- Member of the Organization of American States (OAS)
- Member of the G-77
RECENT REPRESENTATION IN INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
- Non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in 2008/2009
- Chairperson of the CTBT Preparatory Commission in 2012
- Chair of the 1540 Committee in 2008/2009
- Secretary-General of OPANAL from 2010 to 2013
LINKS
Costa Rica Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Ratifications of Treaties & Membership in International Organizations Related to Disarmament