NPAC TWG Overview The United States faces significant challenges in arms control and nonproliferation. The Nonproliferation and Arms Control Technology Working Group (NPAC TWG) was created by Presidential Directive in 1994 as the mechanism to coordinate the research and development (R&D) response to these challenges while operating within constrained funding guidelines. In order to pursue U.S. initiatives in these areas and remain within resource limits, NPAC member agencies must adopt vigorous, creative, and coordinated approaches to research and development programs and the application of resulting technologies. Major areas in which the U.S. must optimize its return on R&D efforts and ensure effective use of technologies include the following: nuclear, biological, chemical, and missile nonproliferation; the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START I); the Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT); the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC); the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC); as well as ongoing negotiations in such areas as nuclear materials cutoff, nuclear disarmament, and regional security |
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The NPAC TWG serves as subgroup to the National Security Council's (NSC) Coordinating Committee on Proliferation, Counterproliferation, and Homeland Defense. The analytical work of the NPAC TWG is carried out by eight Focus Groups and one Subcommittee.
Purpose
The purpose of the NPAC TWG is to ensure effective coordination of research and development in the areas of arms control and nonproliferation and to guard against redundant arms control- and nonproliferation-related R&D and technology programs within and among departments and agencies.
Functions
- Exchange information and coordinate arms control and nonproliferation R&D
- Advise agencies on nonproliferation and arms control R&D priorities
- Facilitate the conduct of cooperative interagency programs
- Review nonproliferation and arms control R&D programs and identify overlaps and gaps
- Frame interagency issues and differences for decisions by adjudicating bodies
- Advise policy IWGs on R&D capabilities and limitations
- Make recommendations to the National Security Council on coordination of all nonproliferation and arms control R&D programs in the President's budget submission to Congress.
Structure
The President has designated the Department of State (DOS), the Department of Energy (DOE), and the Department of Defense (DOD) as the co-chairing agencies for the NPAC TWG. These agencies will appoint their co-chair representatives at the R&D Program Manager level or above. In addition to its role as co-chair, the State Department's Bureau of Arms Control, Office of Technical Assessments (VCI/TA) Verification, Compliance and Implementation, Office of Technology and Assessments (VCI/TA) will also serve as the Executive Secretary for the NPAC TWG. Additional staff and assistance, consistent with the terms of the charter, are the responsibility of the co-chairs.
The co-chairs will convene no fewer than four meetings of the NPAC TWG per year. The agenda for these meetings will be coordinated among the co-chairs, and responsibility for chairing these meetings will rotate among the co-chairs. Represented departments of agencies, the CNS, or other relevant working groups may request additional meetings of the NPAC TWG through the co-chairs. Minutes of meetings will be prepared by the VCI/TA (in its capacity as the NPAC TWG Executive Secretary) and approved by the co-chairs prior to distribution. Minutes of meetings will be distributed to all NPAC TWG members and the Chairperson of the NSC.
The NPAC TWG co-chairs, consistent with TWG recommendations, will recommend action on major activities to the Chairperson of the National Security Council's Policy Coordinating Committee.
The following departments and agencies are represented in the NPAC TWG:
- Central Intelligence Agency
- Department of Commerce
- Department of Defense
- Department of Energy
- Department of the Interior
- Department of Justice
- Department of State
- Federal Bureau of Investigation
- Joint Chiefs of Staff
- National Reconaissance Office
- National Security Agency
- U.S. Customs Service
In addition, the following shall also be represented in the NPAC TWG at the R&D Program Manager level or above:
- Community Management Staff
- Central MASINT Office/Technology Coordination Office
- Committee on National Security
- Defense Intelligence Agency
- Office of Management and Budget
- Office of Science and Technology Policy
- National Geospatial Intelligence Agency
- National Science and Technology Council
- National Security Council
The NPAC TWG may establish such Subcommittees, Working Groups and Focus Groups as necessary to carry out its functions. The NPAC TWG co-chairs will appoint the chairs and vice-chairs of all Subcommittees, Working Groups, and Focus Groups. Chairs of NPAC TWG Subcommittees, Working Groups, and Focus Groups will arrange assistance from their own agencies or from other agencies represented on the Subcommittees, Working Groups, and Focus Groups.
Other departments, agencies, or organizations may be added to the NPAC TWG on either a permanent or ad hoc basis depending on the issues to be addressed. The membership of the Subcommittees, Working Groups, and Focus Groups is not restricted to NPAC TWG members.