Proliferation Security Initiative

About the Proliferation Security Initiative

Launched on May 31, 2003, the Proliferation Security Initiative is an enduring global effort that aims to stop trafficking of weapons of mass destruction, their delivery systems, and related materials to and from states and non-state actors of proliferation concern. PSI is a key part of the foundation of the global WMD nonproliferation regime and has maintained strong support as a Presidential priority in each of the U.S. Administrations since its inception.

When a country endorses PSI, it endorses the PSI Statement of Interdiction Principles, which commit participants to establish a more coordinated and effective basis through which to impede and stop WMD, their delivery systems, and related items. PSI-endorsing countries commit to:

Interdict transfers to and from states and non-state actors of proliferation concern to the extent of their capabilities and legal authorities;
Develop procedures to facilitate exchange of information with other countries;
Strengthen national legal authorities to facilitate interdiction; and,
Take specific actions in support of interdiction efforts.

The countries that have endorsed the PSI share a deep concern that WMD, their delivery systems, and related materials could fall into the hands of terrorists. All of these countries have endorsed the effort to make PSI a flexible, voluntary initiative geared toward enhancing individual and collective partner nations’ capabilities to take appropriate and timely actions to meet the fast-moving situations involving proliferation threats.

The United States seeks to strengthen and expand the PSI, ensuring that it remains an effective tool to stop WMD proliferation. We are playing an active role in the success of the PSI, by leveraging related counterproliferation efforts across the U.S. government; by contributing diplomatic, financial, military, customs, law enforcement, and other security experts and assets to interdiction exercises; by hosting PSI meetings, workshops, and exercises with other PSI-endorsing states; and by working with specific partner states to improve their capacity for combating the proliferation of WMD.

Media Notes, Joint Statements, and Fact Sheets

March 27, 2024 Madagascar Endorses the Proliferation Security Initiative
March 22, 2024 Joint Statement on the PSI Western Hemisphere 2024 Workshop and Tabletop Exercise
February 2, 2024 Proliferation Security Initiative African Political Meeting and Outreach Event
February 2, 2024 Marrakesh Declaration: Joint Statement on the Proliferation Security Initiative African Political Meeting and Outreach Event Marrakesh Co-Chairs’ Summary
January 31, 2024 Under Secretary Jenkins’s Press Statement Following Proliferation Security Initiative African Political Meeting and Outreach Event Opening Ceremonies
January 31, 2024 Under Secretary Jenkins’s Opening Remarks at the Proliferation Security Initiative African Political Meeting and Outreach Event
October 18, 2023 Joint Statement on UN Security Council Resolution 2231 Transition Day
May 30, 2023 PSI 20th Anniversary: Joint Statement of the 2023 High-Level Political Meeting [154 KB]
May 30, 2023 Under Secretary Jenkins’ Remarks at the PSI High Level Political Meeting Session on Addressing a Changing International Security Environment and Challenges to Nonproliferation 
May 30, 2023 Under Secretary Jenkins’ Opening Remarks and Reading of President Biden’s Letter to the 20th Anniversary of the Proliferation Security Initiative
March 14, 2023: U.S. and North Macedonia Co-Host Proliferation Security Initiative Workshop
January 27, 2023: U.S. and Canada Co-Host Proliferation Security Initiative Workshop
December 8, 2022: U.S. and Morocco Co-Host Proliferation Security Initiative Workshop
October 28, 2022: Joint Statement from Proliferation Security Initiative – Operational Experts Group Meeting in Rome
August 15, 2022: Joint Statement: Proliferation Security Initiative Asia-Pacific Exercise Rotation
August 8, 2022: United States Hosts Proliferation Security Exercise Fortune Guard 22
November 1, 2021: United States Participates in Proliferation Security Initiative Exercise DEEP SABRE
May 7, 2021: United States and Philippines Hold Virtual Proliferation Security Initiative Workshop
November 5, 2018: Joint Statement from Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) Partners in Support of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 2375 and 2397 Enforcement
Fact Sheet: The Proliferation Security Initiative: A Global Cooperative Effort

Participants

About the Proliferation Security Initiative

Media Notes, Joint Statements, and Fact Sheets

Participants

U.S. Department of State

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