MORE ACTION NEEDED TO IMPROVE GLOBAL NUCLEAR SECURITY, URGES UN ATOMIC ENERGY CHIEF

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From: UNNews <UNNews@un.org>
Date: 1 Jul 2013 14:00:01 -0400
Subject: MORE ACTION NEEDED TO IMPROVE GLOBAL NUCLEAR SECURITY, URGES
UN ATOMIC ENERGY CHIEF
To: news11@ny-mail-p-lb-028.ptc.un.org

MORE ACTION NEEDED TO IMPROVE GLOBAL NUCLEAR SECURITY, URGES UN ATOMIC
ENERGY CHIEF
New York, Jul 1 2013 2:00PM
Countries should strengthen international cooperation to defend
nuclear and other radioactive materials protected from misuse, and
make sure that all globally agreed instruments are in force, the head
of the United Nations atomic energy today said.

Speaking at the opening of the "<em>International Conference on
Nuclear Security: Enhancing Global Efforts</em>" in Vienna, Director
General of the UN International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Yukiya
Amano, <"http://www.iaea.org/newscenter/statements/2013/nuclear_security.pdf">said
successful past efforts to thwart a terrorist attack involving
radioactive material "must not lull us into a false sense of
security."
"The threat of nuclear terrorism is real, and the global nuclear
security system needs to be strengthened in order to counter that
threat," Mr. Amano told over 1,300 participants, including 34
ministers and other representatives from some 120 countries and 20
international and regional organizations.

Aimed at senior Government officials, high level participants from UN
agencies involved in making policy for and managing nuclear security,
and technical and legal experts, the conference is the first held at
the ministerial level on the topic of nuclear security.

"Your presence here sends an important message: that the world is
serious about enhancing global efforts to protect nuclear and other
radioactive material -- and associated facilities -- from malicious
acts," Mr. Amano said.

The <"http://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/2013/nuclearsecurityfocus.html">conference
aims to review the international community's experience and
achievements to date in strengthening nuclear security, to enhance
understanding of current approaches to nuclear security worldwide and
identify trends, and to provide a global forum for ministers,
policymakers and senior officials to formulate views on the future
directions and priorities for nuclear security.
"It is my hope that this Conference will help to ensure that all
countries achieve a similarly high level of preparedness," Mr. Amano
said. These range from putting necessary laws on the statute book and
strengthening border controls, to training law enforcement officers
and installing radiation detectors at ports and airports.

Highlighting a recent case in the Republic of Moldova, Mr. Amano said
smugglers' attempt to shield highly enriched uranium from radiation
detectors "showed a worrying level of knowledge."

"This case ended well," Mr. Amano said noting cooperation with a
well-prepared government, the IAEA and partners. "Unfortunately, we
cannot be sure if such cases are just the tip of the iceberg."

"Terrorists and criminals will try to exploit any vulnerability in
the global security system," Mr. Amano said noting that not only
countries with nuclear capabilities are at threat. "Any country, in
any part of the world, could find itself used as a transit point. And
any country could become the target of an attack."

The head of the UN atomic energy urged member states to bring into
force the Amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of
Nuclear Material, agreed to in 2005. The Amendment needs to be
ratified by 30 countries to enter into force.

He also reiterated the need for countries to have their nuclear
security arrangements peer reviewed by international experts, and for
members to make sure of IAEA nuclear security guidance.

Wrapping up its first day of work, the Conference plenary adopted a
Ministerial Declaration that echoes many of Mr. Amano's concerns.
Despite substantial progress in strengthening nuclear security in
recent years, the participants said more needs to be done worldwide to
defend against the threat of nuclear terrorism and other malicious
acts involving nuclear or radiological material.

The Declaration -- the first of its kind for nuclear security --
notes that all States are responsible for their own nuclear security,
but that international cooperation is important in supporting States'
efforts to fulfil their responsibilities. It affirms the central role
of the IAEA in strengthening nuclear security globally, and leading
coordination of international activities in this field.

The Conference participants also recognize the threat to
international security posed by theft and smuggling of nuclear
material and affirms the responsibility of States to keep all nuclear
material secure. They encourage all States to join and participate in
the IAEA Incident and Trafficking Database, the international
repository of information about nuclear and other radioactive material
that has fallen out of regulatory control.
Jul 1 2013 2:00PM
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