Summit on nuclear energy cooperation kicks off

MANILA - An energy department official has stressed the importance of nuclear security as among the 19 infrastructure issues that need to be prioritized by countries embarking on a nuclear power program.

Department of Energy ( DOE) undersecretary Jess Posadas made the remark as the Seminar on Security

of Radioactive Sources went underway Monday to kick off the 7th Annual Meeting of Nuclear Energy Cooperation Subsector Network (NEC-SSN).

The seminar, held at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila, aims to reaffirm the importance of international and regional cooperation in nuclear security, and promote ASEAN member states’ enhancement of security

of radioactive sources.

The seminar was jointly organized by the ASEAN Centre for Energy ( ACE) and the Integrated Support Center for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Nuclear Safety ( ISCN) of the Japan Atomic Energy Agency ( JAEA), with the Philippines as host.

The delegates to the meet i nclude representatives of

other ASEAN member states (Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia), and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), as well as members of the Nuclear Energy Program Implementing Organization from the Philippine nuclear network, such as the DOE, the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute ( PNRI), the National Power Corp., the UP National Engineering Center and other stakeholders in the public and private sectors.

During the seminar, Reina Matsuzawa of ISCN/JAEA discussed the concept of nuclear and radioactive security, and emphasized the strategic benefit of an international cooperation in nuclear security as the effectiveness of one ASEAN member state impacts the rest of the ASEAN region.

Teofilo Leonin of the PNRI spoke about the need for a comprehensive nuclear law in the Philippines to regulate and control the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

The IAEA reiterated its support and commitment for an effective nuclear security regime in the ASEAN region by providing expert guidance and assistance through its various programs and services.

Representatives of Malaysia and Japan shared their first-hand experiences and methods in implementing regulations and security measures for radioactive sources.

According to a DOE news release issued Tuesday, heightened interest for regional cooperation from the ISCN/ JAEA and the EU Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear Risk Mitigation Centre of Excellence Initiative is a welcome opportunity for the ASEAN to increase awareness and improve standards, as well as technology developments in the field of nuclear security.

The department said these involvements will enhance the capabilities of the ASEAN member states, consistent with the strategies under the Civilian Nuclear Energy focus area of the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation.

With these developments, the DOE said it is confident that the Philippines will immensely benefit from a successful regional and international cooperation on nuclear security, and be able to contribute strategically to the ASEAN region as a whole.

The 7th NEC-SSN meeting and its associated events is in line with the Philippine hosting of the 50th Founding Anniversary of the ASEAN.