The proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) expertise, or any sensitive knowledge in the chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) areas, remains a serious concern. Preventing the illicit use of such knowledge is one of the most difficult non-proliferation challenges to address, as we are dealing with scientists, engineers and technicians who, in some cases (those doing biological research, for instance), may not consider their expertise and current activities as potentially vulnerable to misuse by others for whom their “proliferation-critical” knowledge could represent a route to developing a WMD capability. They should be made aware that their legitimate work could have dual-use applications and be diverted for malicious purposes.

The human dimension of the proliferation equation should be incorporated as part of the global strategy to address the demand side of the proliferation equation and should be considered not only the lynchpin of the efforts to better address proliferation challenges, but an opportunity to achieve a whole host of foreign policy objectives and other vital interests of the world community.

In this respect, in the framework of the Italian presidency of the Global Partnership  against the Proliferation of WMD, a set of Recommendations for a coordinated approach in the field of Global WMD Knowledge proliferation and scientists engagement have been developed  by  the Italian Presidency Global Partnership Team, in consultation with relevant experts and discussed and welcome by the G8 partners