Binay: Countries need to cooperate on nuke safety

An inter-state cooperation is still the most viable solution to address the issues of nuclear safety, security and utilization, according to Vice President Jejomar Binay.

Binay, who was the guest speaker in the 2012 Nuclear Security summit held recently at the Diamond Hotel, said that the threat of nuclear materials being utilized for terrorist acts, as well as the recent nuclear scare in Fukushima in 2011, are genuine concerns for countries and people across the globe.

President Aquino has designated Binay to represent him in the forthcoming 2012 Nuclear Security summit to be held in Seoul, South Korea. At least 47 heads of state and three international organizations are expected to attend the event.

Binay said the Bangkok Treaty of 1995 and the First Nuclear Summit of 2010 have manifested a unified stand and course of action from all stakeholders.

“As the Washington Summit proved, more nations from the developing world are participating in the process and granting positive momentum to this timely enterprise,” he added.

The Vice President said that many countries are still challenged by the scientific expertise and resources needed to tackle nuclear safety, and that, as the Philippines’ own experience proves, establishing close working ties with international regulatory agencies like the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) are “necessary and welcome developments,” and greatly aided in making the country’s nuclear safety measures stronger.

The Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI), in cooperation with IAEA, was able to finalize the country’s own National Nuclear Security Plan (NNSP), which provides a comprehensive roadmap for strengthening nuclear safety and security, Binay said.