(Taguig City). The 7th Annual Meeting of Nuclear Energy Cooperation Subsector Network (NEC-SSN) kicked off with the Seminar on Security of Radioactive Sources on Monday (April 17, 2017) at the Visayas Ballroom of the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila.
The seminar is 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 include representatives from other ASEAN Member State (Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), members of the Nuclear Energy Program Implementing Organization (NEPIO) from the Philippine nuclear network such as the Department of Energy (DOE), the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI), the National Power Corporation, the UP National Engineering Center (NEC) and other stakeholders in the public and private sectors.
DOE Undersecretary Jess Posadas, in his welcome remarks, 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 (NPP).
Reina Matsuzawa of ISCN/JAEA discussed the concept of nuclear and radioactive security, and emphasized on the strategic benefit of 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 talked about the need for the comprehensive nuclear law in the Philippines to regulate and control the utilization 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.
Malaysia and Japan shared their first-hand experiences and methods in implementing regulations and security measures for radioactive sources.
Heightened interest for regional cooperation from the ISCN/JAEA and the EU Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear Risk Mitigation Centre of Excellence Initiative (CBRN COE) is a welcome opportunity for the ASEAN to increase awareness and improve standards, as well as technology developments in the field of nuclear security.
These involvements will enhance the capabilities of the ASEAN Member States consistent with the strategies under the Civilian Nuclear Energy (CNE) focus area of the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC).
With these developments, the DOE 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.
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