Global Tools for Nuclear Security

Senior adviser in the Section for global security and disarmament of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, covering non-proliferation and nuclear security issues since 2018. Coordinated Norway’s tenure on the Board of Governors (2019-2021). Currently also working on non-proliferation/DPRK and resolution 2231 during Norway’s period on the Security Council. Previously posted to embassies in Islamabad (2012-2014), Seoul (2014-17) and Tokyo (2017-2018). Part of Norway’s team for the UN General Assembly 1st Committee and the 10th NPT Review Conference.

Art Atkins has served in the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) since 2000 in cooperative international programs to promote nuclear security and nonproliferation.  Currently, Mr. Atkins holds the position of Assistant Deputy Administrator for Global Material Security within the Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation (DNN), overseeing programs that increase the security of nuclear and radioactive materials around the globe and enable the detection of illicit trafficking of those materials.  Within this capacity, he leads the Office of International Nuclear Security, the Office of Radiological Security, and the Office of Nuclear Smuggling Detection and Deterrence.

Mr. Atkins holds a Master of Arts degree in National Security Studies from Georgetown University and a Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs from Lewis and Clark College.

Rony Dresselaers was awarded a Master’s degree in industrial sciences, nuclear technology and radiochemistry in 1987.

From 1989 to 2007 he worked for FBFC International, a subsidiary of Areva producing UO2 and Mox fuel assemblies for nuclear reactors. At FBFC he held various positions in process engineering, project management and operations management. In his last position at FBFC International he was the manager for the uranium productions and member of the management team of the facility.

In 2008 he joined the Federal Agency for Nuclear Control as Director for the department of Nuclear Security and Transport. The nuclear security service is in charge of the nuclear security and the physical protection of radioactive materials including nuclear materials. The service has also responsibilities in the frame of safeguards and nuclear non – proliferation. The  Import and Transport service is in charge of issuing the import and transport licences, package approvals certificates and  ADR training.

At international level he is a member of the Nuclear Security Guidance Committee at the IAEA and member of the Nuclear Security Contact Group.

In 2014 he was also be the chairman for the European Nuclear Security Regulators Association.

Ambassador Benno Laggner is a Swiss career diplomat. He is currently the Resident Representative of Switzerland to the IAEA, represents Switzerland as Governor on the IAEA Board of Governors and is Permanent Representative to the CTBTO Preparatory Commission. He has also served as Chair of the Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation (HCoC) and Chair of the Nuclear Suppliers Group. In previous assignments, Ambassador Laggner was Deputy Head of Delegation for Security Policy Issues at the Swiss Delegation to the OSCE, Head of the Division for Security Policy (Assistant State Secretary rank) at the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs in Bern with responsibility for arms control, disarmament, non-proliferation and international security, Swiss Sherpa for the 2014 and 2016 Nuclear Security Summits, Chair of Subsidiary Body I (Disarmament Matters) at the 2015 NPT Review Conference and Deputy Chef de Cabinet of the President of the 65th session of the UN General Assembly.