Government of Canada Engages CRDF Global to Counter North Korea Proliferation and Strengthen International Security Networks

Arlington, VA (November 3, 2020) – CRDF Global has received $1.32M USD in funding from Global Affairs Canada (GAC) to build partner countries’ capacities to detect and disrupt illicit proliferation activities related to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and to strengthen networks among women experts in international security.  
“Global Affairs Canada is pleased to partner again with CRDF Global on activities to strengthen compliance with UN Security Council Resolutions to address the DPRK’s proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. This project will also help to advance Canada’s National Action Plan on women, peace and security and its Feminist International Assistance Policy,” said Chris Grout, Project Leader for Nuclear and Radiological Security in GAC’s Weapons Threat Reduction Program division. 
CRDF Global will pull from its 25 years of experience building capacities to counter nuclear threats, along with the proven capabilities of its women in science and security programs, to increase awareness and implementation of sanctions established by UN Security Council resolutions on the DPRK and promote the active involvement and leadership of women in nuclear security and nonproliferation.  
“CRDF Global strongly supports the mission of Global Affairs Canada to assist partner governments and the private sector better understand the schemes North Korea deploys to exploit gaps in UNSCR implementation to fund its nuclear weapon and missile programs. We are also extremely proud to partner with GAC to expand opportunities for capacity and network building with emerging women leaders in the nuclear security and nonproliferation field,” said Timothy Westmyer, Program Manager of CRDF Global’s GAC Counterproliferation Program within the CBRNE and Nonproliferation Division. 
Building on previous efforts through the Robin Copeland Memorial Fellowships, CRDF Global’s initiative with Global Affairs Canada will bolster networks between women scientists, government officials, academics, nuclear security experts, and practitioners through international conferences and collaborative research projects. 
Counterproliferation projects under this agreement will assist compliance and legal officers and other stakeholders responsible for enforcing DPRK-related UN Security Council resolutions within government legal and regulatory authorities, financial institutions, flag registries, commodity traders, and export companies across Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, the Middle East, and South and Southeast Asia. 
About CRDF Global  
CRDF Global is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to building a safer, healthier, and more secure world. A trusted government partner for over 25 years, CRDF Global designs and implements programs to solve global challenges in the areas of CBRNE security, counterproliferation, global health, cybersecurity, strategic trade controls, and economic development. CRDF Global has provided technical assistance, trainings, logistical support, and program and financial management services to over 120 countries. The organization is headquartered in Arlington, VA, US, with regional hubs in Amman, Jordan and Kyiv, Ukraine. For more information, visit www.crdfglobal.org,