DYB2011-Part-II-web

United Nations Disarmament Yearbook 2011: Part II
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At the end of the meeting, the Secretary-General circulated the Chair’s
summary (see appendix V), which reflected his understanding of the views
expressed. Taking into consideration the points raised during the meeting, the
Secretary-General suggested a number of follow-up actions.
To address the implications of the Fukushima accident, the Secretary-
General appealed to the General Assembly to ensure that the United Nations
Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation had all necessary
resources to assess the radiation risks attributable to the accident. He also
suggested that Member States consider the intersection between the issues
of nuclear energy, climate change and sustainable development at the United
Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, also known as the Rio+20
Conference.
To strengthen the link between the international humanitarian
coordination system and the international nuclear response system, the
Secretary-General said that he would ask the Chair of the Inter-Agency
Standing Committee39 to examine how to improve the capacity of its members.
To raise awareness and improve nuclear safeguards, safety and security,
the Secretary-General encouraged the G8 countries to further develop the
International Initiative on 3S-Based Nuclear Energy Infrastructure. 40
To address the nexus between nuclear safety and security, he called
for steps to ensure the universal application of the international conventions
on nuclear safety and security. In particular, the Secretary-General called
for States parties to the International Convention for the Suppression of
Acts of Nuclear Terrorism to consider ways to promote ratification and
implementation of the Convention in 2012. He also called for these matters
to be discussed at the relevant forums, including at the 2012 Seoul Nuclear
Security Summit and at the first session of the Preparatory Committee for the
2015 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation
of Nuclear Weapons. 41
International Atomic Energy Agency verification
Since its founding in 1957, the International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA) has served as the focal point for worldwide cooperation in the
peaceful uses of nuclear technology, for promoting global nuclear security
and safety and, through its verification activities, for providing assurances that
international undertakings to use nuclear material and facilities for peaceful
39 The Inter-Agency Standing Committee is the primary mechanism for inter-agency
coordination of humanitarian assistance. It is a unique forum involving the key United
Nations and non-United Nations humanitarian partners.
40 The “3S” principles are safeguards, safety and security.
41 The first session of the Preparatory Committee for the 2015 NPT Review Conference will
take place in Vienna from 30 April to 11 May 2012.