Yuma, Arizona - U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Jordanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Judeh today strengthened their countries’ partnership to combat nuclear terrorism by signing a Joint Action Plan to improve efforts against nuclear and radiological smuggling.

This “Joint Action Plan Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on Combating Smuggling of Nuclear and Radioactive Materials” expresses the intention of the two governments to work together to enhance Jordan’s capabilities to prevent, detect, and respond to nuclear smuggling incidents.

To advance that goal, the newly signed plan includes steps to foster cooperation among Jordan’s domestic agencies, and review and strengthen relevant laws.

The plan is the fourteenth such arrangement the State Department has concluded worldwide, and Jordan’s third with a MENA region partner.

Jordan has been a strong leader on international efforts to counter nuclear smuggling. During the 2012 and 2014 Nuclear Security Summits, Jordan presented a Statement of Activity and Cooperation to Counter Nuclear Smuggling, signed by as many as 20 countries. In support of the commitments outlined in that statement, over the past two years Jordan has hosted two multilateral counter nuclear smuggling workshops.

Today’s signing reflects the common conviction of the United States and Jordanian governments that nuclear smuggling is a critical and ongoing global threat that requires a coordinated, global response.

This Joint Action Plan strengthens an already excellent partnership that will make the United States, Jordan, and the region more secure.