Nuclear terrorism biggest threat; World summit calls for greater N-security
14 April, 2010
WASHINGTON: The Nuclear Security Summit (NSS) of 47 countries concluded here on Tuesday called on states to work collectively to advance nuclear security, requesting and providing assistance as necessary.
The summit held here at the initiative of US President Barrack Obama had extensive deliberations about various subjects concerning nuclear security. The 700 words communique issued at the end of the conference said nuclear terrorism is one of the most challenging threats to international security and strong nuclear security measures are the most effective means to prevent terrorists, criminals, or other unauthorised actors from acquiring nuclear materials. Pakistan was represented in the summit by Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani.
“In addition to our shared goals of nuclear disarmament, nuclear non-proliferation and peaceful uses of nuclear energy, we also all share the objective of nuclear security. Therefore, those gathered here in Washington DC on April 13, 2010 commit to strengthen nuclear security and reduce the threat of nuclear terrorism. Success will require responsible national actions and sustained and effective international cooperation. We welcome and join President Obama’s call to secure all vulnerable nuclear material in four years, as we work together to enhance nuclear security.”
The communique while reaffirming the fundamental responsibility of states, consistent with their respective international obligations to maintain effective security of all nuclear materials, says that it includes nuclear materials used in nuclear weapons, and nuclear facilities under their control; to prevent non-state actors from obtaining the information or technology required to use such material for malicious purposes; and emphasise the importance of robust national legislative and regulatory frameworks for nuclear security.
“Recognise that highly enriched uranium and separated plutonium require special precautions and agree to promote measures to secure, account for, and consolidate these materials, as appropriate; and encourage the conversion of reactors from highly enriched to low enriched uranium fuel and minimisation of use of highly enriched uranium, where technically and economically feasible.”
The document says it endeavours to fully implement all existing nuclear security commitments and work towards acceding to those not yet joined, consistent with national laws, policies and procedures. The communique supports the objectives of international nuclear security instruments, including the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material, as amended, and the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism, as essential elements of the global nuclear security architecture.
The 12-point communique has reaffirmed the essential role of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in the international nuclear security framework and will work to ensure that it continues to have the appropriate structure, resources and expertise needed to carry out its mandated nuclear security activities in accordance with its statute, relevant general conference resolutions and its nuclear security plans.
Recognising the role and contributions of the United Nations as well as the contributions of the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism and the G8-led Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction within their respective mandates and memberships and it acknowledged the need for capacity building for nuclear security and cooperation at bilateral, regional and multilateral levels for the promotion of nuclear security culture through technology development, human resource development, education and training; and stress the importance of optimising international cooperation and coordination of assistance.
The summit recognise the need for cooperation among states to effectively prevent and respond to incidents of illicit nuclear trafficking; and agree to share subject to respective national laws and procedures, information and expertise through bilateral and multilateral mechanisms in relevant areas such as nuclear detection, forensics, law enforcement and the development of new technologies.
The summit also recognised the continuing role of nuclear industry, including the private sector, in nuclear security and will work with industry to ensure the necessary priority of physical protection, material accountancy and security culture and support the implementation of strong nuclear security practices that will not infringe upon the rights of states to develop and utilise nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and technology and will facilitate international cooperation in the field of nuclear security.
According to the communique, the summit recognised that measures contributing to nuclear material security have value in relation to the security of radioactive substances and encourage efforts to secure those materials as well.
The joint communique concluded by saying that maintaining effective nuclear security will require continuous national efforts facilitated by international cooperation and undertaken on a voluntary basis by states. “We will promote the strengthening of global nuclear security through dialogue and cooperation with all states,” the communique stated.
“Thus, we issue the work plan as guidance for national and international action including through cooperation within the context of relevant international fora and organisations,” it added.
End.
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