The session was to review IAEA’s activities since the last session as well as to continue discussing on issues relating to nuclear security and safety, health development, energy, budget and policies relating to atomic energy field in the future.
Delivering a speech in the session, IAEA General Director Mr. Yukia Amano reviewed some progress in 2011, especially after the tsunami incident in Fukushima, affirmed that the cooperation and solidarity of international communities on atomic energy development for peaceful purposes would continue bringing good results. In addition, he also said some developing countries have been building new nuclear power plants. He also mentioned that some developing countries including Vietnam and Bangladesh have started up their nuclear power projects.
In his speech in the session, Minister Nguyễn Quân affirmed that Vietnam has been focusing its all efforts on improving its legal framework, building capacities for the National Regulatory Nuclear Agency and technical assistance organizations, developing a plan on emergency response; supporting and implementing the IAEA’s Plan of Action on Nuclear Safety, at the same time welcoming nuclear power nations which have conducted the safety assessment for nuclear power plants and carried out necessary actions to strengthen nuclear safety.
At the same time, Minister Nguyễn Quân also informed the entire session that the President of Socialist Republic of Vietnam has approved the additional Protocol; necessary procedures to declare its entry to the Convention on Physical Protection of Nuclear Materials and reviewed the Amendment of the Convention and would submit to the President for decision in the soonest time.
Regarding the nuclear power, together with the cooperation of Russia and Japan, Minister Nguyễn Quân said that Vietnam has currently conducted feasibility studies for Ninh Thuận 1 and Ninh Thuận 2 Nuclear Power Projects. With the viewpoint that “Nuclear safety and security should be ensured at the highest level”, Vietnamese Government has actively prepared necessary conditions and would decide the inauguration of constructing nuclear power plants after preparing goo infrastructure for nuclear power and human resources according to IAEA’s instructions and international experience.
The Minister affirmed that during the implementation process of the Strategy on using Atomic Energy for peaceful purposes, Vietnam has always paid special attention to its cooperation with IAEA, member countries and other international organizations in all fields relating to nuclear energy.
Regarding the bilateral cooperation, Vietnam would continue its bilateral cooperation with the US, Australia, Japan and South Korea on issues relating to security, safety, inspection, compensation responsibilities for nuclear damages; cooperation with Russian in building a new Nuclear S&T Center, with South Korea in building Center for Cyclotron Acceleration for carrying out nuclear medicine and with some other countries in research and use of nuclear techniques.
Within the context of Vietnam - IAEA National Framework Program for the period from 2011 to 2015, the Minister affirmed that Vietnam has been provided with IAEA’s precious support. For the period from 2012 to 2013, together with the implementation of 5 projects on technical cooperation, Vietnam has participated in 43 regional and inter-regional projects. The projects have supported Vietnam with expanding radiation use, developing the national nuclear power infrastructure and strengthening technical capacities for the National Nuclear Regulatory Agency; affirming Vietnam’s entire support to IAEA’s activities of strengthening and promoting nuclear S&T for a peaceful, stable, cooperative and prosperous world.
On the same day, Minister of Science and Technology Nguyễn Quân also had bilateral meetings with partners as Japan, France, and Russia to discuss about issues relating to nuclear cooperation.