Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction | The Brian Mulroney Institute of Government

Following the events of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States and the anthrax attacks, the G8 nations (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, United Kingdom, and the United States) came together to take action upon the threat of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear weapons, especially those utilized by terrorists.
In the 2002 Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada, the G8 Leaders established the Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction.
The mandate is to prevent terrorists and affiliated groups from accessing weapons and materials of mass destruction.
When the partnership began, the member countries created a 10-year, $20 billion initiative with a focus on Russia and other formerly Soviet Union countries.
Today, the partnership addresses the threat of weapons of mass destruction on a global basis, the initiative includes over 30 member countries (as opposed to merely the G8 members), and since its establishment, the countries involved have collectively delivered upon over $25 billion in programs around the world to prevent weapons of mass destruction proliferation and terrorism.

Citation

"Statement by G8 Leaders: The G8 Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction." Kananaskis Summit Canada 2002. University of Toronto, June 27, 2002. http://www.g7.utoronto.ca/summit/2002kananaskis/arms.html