11 May 2012
Mr President,
The Singapore delegation would like to thank the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Mr Yukiya Amano, and his Secretariat for the IAEA's comprehensive annual report.
2 As the global focal point for nuclear cooperation, the IAEA makes important contributions to international peace and security through its promotion of safe, secure and peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology, and nuclear non-proliferation. Its mission of safety and security, safeguards and verification, and science and technology constitute a comprehensive regime. Singapore strongly supports the IAEA's important work and is pleased to co-sponsor the draft resolution on the Report of the IAEA.
Mr President,
3 The Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear accident in March 2011 was a wake-up call against complacency with regards to the safe operation of nuclear power plants and effective regulation of the nuclear industry. It was a painful reminder that safety can never be taken for granted. In the aftermath of the accident, IAEA Member States adopted an IAEA Action Plan on Nuclear Safety* in September 2011, which is now being implemented. Progress has been made in many areas, and we commend the efforts of the Secretariat to oversee the implementation of the Action Plan in the 12 key areas to enhance the global nuclear safety framework. However, much more work remains to be done. The full and effective implementation of the Action Plan requires the cooperation and commitment of all Member States, the Secretariat and other relevant stakeholders. In this regard, we look forward to a meaningful and constructive outcome at the upcoming Fukushima Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Safety, in December 2012. At the same time, while the primary responsibility for nuclear safety rests with individual states, the far-reaching and potentially devastating transboundary impact of a nuclear accident means that ensuring and strengthening safety standards of nuclear facilities are of concern to the international community as a whole, and in particular, the IAEA. Proposals to enhance the effectiveness of the Convention on Nuclear Safety (CNS) were also discussed during the Extraordinary Meeting of the CNS held in Vienna, Austria, in August this year. We welcome efforts that would strengthen the CNS.
4 We also encourage the IAEA to step up its capacity building cooperation with regional organisations to promote and uphold the IAEA standards of safety and security in the development of nuclear energy for peaceful uses. This would help to enhance and strengthen nuclear safety in the world. In this regard, we are pleased to report that good progress has been made on ASEANTOM, an initiative by Thailand, to establish a network of nuclear regulatory bodies among Southeast Asian countries, and to enhance regional cooperation on nuclear safety, security and safeguards matters, including emergency preparedness and response and environmental radiation monitoring. We look forward to close collaborations between the ASEAN nuclear regulatory network and the IAEA and international partners.
Mr President,
5 Nuclear non-proliferation remains a core aspect of the IAEA's mission. Singapore firmly believes that all States have the right to develop and use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. At the same time, the IAEA has the vital task of ensuring that nuclear material and technology meant for peaceful purposes are not diverted for non-civilian uses that could threaten regional and international peace and stability. The IAEA's safeguards and verification regimes remain central to multilateral efforts to curb the proliferation of nuclear weapons. It is therefore both in the interests and the responsibility of all States to comply with these regimes. In this connection, Singapore strongly urges all States which have not done so to accede to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and the IAEA's Comprehensive Safeguards Agreements and Additional Protocols. Those States that have done so should fully implement these agreements.
6 The IAEA plays a central role as the global platform for strengthening nuclear security. It focuses on helping to minimize the risk of nuclear and other radioactive material falling into the hands of terrorists, or of nuclear facilities being subjected to malicious acts. In this regard, the IAEA's Illicit Trafficking Database, which monitors thefts and other unauthorised activities involving nuclear and radioactive materials, is the authoritative global source of information on illicit trafficking. Singapore is pleased to announce that we joined the IAEA’s Illicit Trafficking Database in March 2012.
Mr President,
7 The IAEA’s work goes beyond nuclear non-proliferation and nuclear energy. The IAEA makes important contributions to tackling fundamental global problems such as food security, water and energy shortages and climate change, as well as in the area of human health. Member States must continue to support the IAEA’s role in promoting the peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology, such as for use in cancer treatment in developing countries.
Mr President,
8 Singapore has recently completed its term as a member of the IAEA Board of Governors. We would like to reiterate our continued support for the Agency’s vital role and tasks. Over the past decade, Singapore has hosted 23 scientific visits, 92 fellowship attachments and 25 regional training events with the IAEA. More recently, in June this year, we hosted the ASEM Seminar on Nuclear Safety, with the specific focus on emergency preparedness and response which is one of the key areas of focus in the Action Plan on Nuclear Safety. As part of our continued cooperation with the IAEA, Singapore will jointly host a regional “Workshop on Notification, Reporting and Requesting Assistance” in December this year. In addition, we will continue to support the IAEA in promoting capacity building, in particular, amongst developing countries, through various technical assistance and cooperation projects.
9 Thank you.
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* The Action Plan covers 12 overarching areas which are to: Undertake assessment of the safety vulnerabilities of nuclear power plants in the light of lessons learned to date from the accident; strengthen IAEA peer reviews in order to maximize the benefits to Member States; strengthen emergency preparedness and response; strengthen the effectiveness of national regulatory bodies; strengthen the effectiveness of operating organizations with respect to nuclear safety; review and strengthen IAEA Safety Standards and improve their implementation; improve the effectiveness of the international legal framework; facilitate the development of the infrastructure necessary for Member States embarking on a nuclear power programme; strengthen and maintain capacity building; ensure the on-going protection of people and the environment from ionizing radiation following a nuclear emergency; enhance transparency and effectiveness of communication and improve dissemination of information; and effectively utilize research and development.