Securing Dual-Use Technologies

Most of the items needed to produce weapons of mass destruction (WMD) are dual-use in nature; they have both a peaceful application as well as a military or WMD application. These items are becoming more widely available on international markets as a result of globalization. Companies that produce and export these sensitive items are a critical, but often overlooked, player in global efforts to curb proliferation. The Center is working to promote strengthened corporate security standards and to encourage corporations to exercise greater oversight over trade in strategic technologies. The Center is currently investigating the role of exporters in monitoring and screening end-users and fulfilling nonproliferation obligations. The Center is also engaged in educating strategic exporters in key countries about strategic trade control requirements and related issues (e.g., WCO SAFE). Much of the Center’s outreach is currently focused on working with exporters in China, India and other expanding Asian economies.

Project spotlight: CARICOM