What is the significance of the IAEA's 'Additional Protocol' in strengthening nuclear safeguards?

The significance of the IAEA's 'Additional Protocol' lies in its substantial strengthening of the IAEA's ability to verify that a state is not diverting nuclear material or pursuing undeclared nuclear activities. The Additional Protocol expands upon the safeguards agreements that states conclude with the IAEA under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). While the original safeguards agreements primarily focus on declared nuclear facilities and materials, the Additional Protocol provides the IAEA with broader authority to access information and locations within a state. Specifically, it requires states to provide declarations about a wider range of activities, including research and development related to the nuclear fuel cycle, the manufacture and export of certain equipment, and the location of all nuclear material. The Additional Protocol also grants the IAEA the right to conduct 'complementary access' visits to any location declared by the state or any location that the IAEA deems necessary to verify the completeness and correctness of the state's declarations. These complementary access visits can be conducted with little or no advance notice, allowing the IAEA to detect undeclared nuclear activities more effectively. By providing the IAEA with more information, greater access, and enhanced inspection authority, the Additional Protocol significantly reduces the risk of a state concealing nuclear weapons-related activities and strengthens the overall effectiveness of the IAEA's safeguards system.