Entitled, “National, Regional and International Nuclear Emergency Preparedness and Response”, leaders from Asia and Europe came together to discuss ways to improve nuclear safety. The Seminar was hosted by the Republic of Singapore.

Background

In spite of the setbacks to the nuclear industry and the negative effect on public confidence caused by the Fukushima nuclear crisis, the fundamental reasons that drive countries to explore nuclear energy have not changed. Rapid urbanisation and industrialisation, strong economic growth and a rising population will continue to push up demand for energy. The lack of viable alternative energy sources and the climate change concerns faced by many countries render it difficult for them to reject the option of nuclear energy. Many countries will proceed with their nuclear energy plans. Steps will therefore have to be taken to improve nuclear safety at all levels to ensure public health and confidence.

Objectives

The main purposes of the ASEM Seminar on Nuclear Safety are to initiate discussions on nuclear safety within ASEM, and to foster Asia-Europe capacity-building and cooperation in this area. We propose to focus on the theme of “National, Regional and International Nuclear Emergency Preparedness and Response”, in order to involve countries both with and without nuclear power plants. This is a follow-up to one of five proposals by IAEA Director-General Yukiya Amano in his statement at the IAEA Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Safety, as well as to the IAEA Action Plan on Nuclear Safety, which called for, inter alia, the strengthening of emergency preparedness and response systems at the various levels.

The three-day seminar will provide a platform for an exchange of views and experiences on best practices among relevant policymakers and operational experts from governments and international organisations on national, regional and international emergency preparedness and response to nuclear accidents.