Vietnam Supports the Proliferation Security Initiative

US Department

US. Department of State | May 22, 2014

Media Note
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
May 22, 2014


The United States welcomes the Government of Vietnam’s support of the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) Statement of Interdiction Principles, which it announced on May 20, 2014. Vietnam’s decision to support and participate in the PSI demonstrates its strong commitment to stopping the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), enhancing the security and safety of global trade, and promoting a peaceful Asia-Pacific region. The United States looks forward to working with Vietnam to advance the nonproliferation goals of the PSI and its Statement of Interdiction Principles.

Launched in Krakow, Poland in 2003, the PSI marked its tenth anniversary in May 2013 with a High-level Political Meeting in Warsaw, Poland. PSI participants commit to undertake measures—on a voluntary basis and consistent with national legal authorities, relevant international law and frameworks, and available resources—to interdict shipments of weapons of mass destruction, their delivery systems, and related materials to and from states and non-state actors of proliferation concern. They also work to exchange relevant information, strengthen legal authorities to conduct interdictions, and conduct exercises, workshops, and other activities to improve their capacities to fulfill their PSI commitments. The addition of each new participating state strengthens the Initiative and helps ensure that it will remain a durable international effort in the years ahead.

In marking the Tenth Anniversary, President Obama publicly urged partner states to undertake concrete, tangible actions to strengthen the PSI and sustain it as a core element of the international nonproliferation regime. As part of that effort, the United States and other PSI countries committed to work together to urge all responsible states to endorse and participate in the Initiative. For more information on the Proliferation Security Initiative and the Tenth Anniversary commitments, please see the State Department’s website: http://www.state.gov/t/isn/c10390.htm.