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Observers from around the world joined NNSA and State Department personnel this month for a nonproliferation transparency visit to Los Alamos National Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratories in New Mexico.
Corey Hinderstein pictured with group
Corey Hinderstein, NNSA’s Deputy Administrator for Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation, makes a point during a briefing at Sandia National Laboratories.
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Visitors toured Sandia National Laboratories’ Z Machine, the world’s most powerful and efficient laboratory radiation source.

This month, NNSA hosted 10 foreign disarmament and nonproliferation officials at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) to highlight how the U.S. Government is actively supporting the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). The visits highlighted U.S. efforts in disarmament, strengthening nonproliferation, and promotion of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

The transparency visit took place ahead of the upcoming Tenth NPT Review Conference (RevCon), to be held August 1st – 26th  at the United National Headquarters in New York, and builds upon the success of a similar 2015 visit.

“The United States is proud of how we implement the NPT and we are committed to transparency with the community,” said Corey Hinderstein, Deputy Administration for Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation, who led the visit. “Through engagements like this, we show the world the tangible actions we are taking to support the Treaty.”

Hinderstein highlighted the importance of promoting the nonproliferation regime in the face of an array of adjacent geopolitical issues, including North Korea’s continued expansion of nuclear weapons and delivery capabilities, uncertainty over Iran, and Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.

“I do not know how the current crises will resolve. But now, more than ever, we need to be resolute in our commitments, our collaborations, our messaging, and our outreach to international partners to shore up global nonproliferation goals in the face of a challenging geopolitical environment,” she said.

Hinderstein was joined on the visit by Thomas Countryman, Senior Advisor in the International Security and Nonproliferation Bureau, U.S. Department of State.

"To protect the NPT, the cornerstone of the nonproliferation regime, all States Parties need to rally behind the treaty,” Countryman said. “This will require the right mix of ambition and realism, a good balance of moderation and ambition."

Throughout the visit, LANL and SNL subject matter experts and visiting officials discussed various NNSA programs and topics that highlight the United States’ commitment to global nonproliferation and to a safe and secure nuclear stockpile without explosive testing. These topics included the National Laboratories’ efforts in stockpile stewardship, arms control verification technologies and transparency, and promotion of peaceful uses of atomic energy.

In addition to having lively discussions, the officials toured SNL’s Technology Testing and Demonstration Area, National Solar Thermal Test Facility, Z-Machine, the Supercomputing Facility, and Dual-Axis Radiographic Hydrodynamic Test Facility at LANL.

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Associate Laboratory Director Nancy Jo Nicholas welcomes the visitors to Los Alamos National Laboratory. She leads LANL programs with special focus on developing capabilities to address complex security threats.
Corey Hinderstein, NNSA’s Deputy Administrator for Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation, chats with former LANL Director Charlie McMillian during a break.
Corey Hinderstein, NNSA’s Deputy Administrator for Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation, chats with former LANL Director Charlie McMillian during a break.
The visitors toured Sandia National Laboratories’ National Solar Thermal Test Facility (NSTTF). The NSTTF provides experimental engineering data for the design, construction, and operation of unique components and systems in proposed solar thermal electrical plants planned for large-scale power generation.
The visitors toured Sandia National Laboratories’ National Solar Thermal Test Facility (NSTTF). The NSTTF provides experimental engineering data for the design, and construction.