The commitment was made during a working session between the Ambassadors and Heads of Mission of ASEAN member states in Vienna and IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi. In its capacity as President of the 11th NPT Review Conference, the country  pledged to carry out its coordinating role in an objective and transparent spirit, promote dialogue and enhance coordination with the International Atomic Energy Agency on matters related to the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

At the meeting, Grossi hailed the effective, substantive and expanding cooperation between the IAEA and ASEAN, including Vietnam, particularly in technical cooperation, the application of atomic energy for peaceful purposes and support for the development priorities of each member state.

He noted that ASEAN is a dynamic region with diverse levels of development and needs, yet all member states have taken a positive and constructive approach to cooperation with the IAEA. He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to continue supporting ASEAN on the basis of respect for national priorities, strengthening regional projects and making effective use of existing initiatives.

On nuclear energy, Grossi said an increasing number of ASEAN member states  have expressed interest in incorporating nuclear power into their national energy mixes, following different timelines and paces.

The IAEA stands ready to assist ASEAN member states in training, capacity building, technical assessments and nuclear infrastructure preparation, including regional training activities expected to begin in the middle of this year. He also suggested exploring a regional approach, including cooperation in supply chains, experience sharing and consideration of joint project models, particularly in small modular reactor (SMR) technology, which has captured  the attention of many countries.

For their part, ASEAN ambassadors reaffirmed the importance they attach to cooperation with the IAEA in key areas such as nuclear safety and security, response to radiological and nuclear incidents, the safety of maritime transport of radioactive materials, as well as nuclear applications in health care, agriculture, food security, water resource management and climate change adaptation.

Vietnamese  Ambassador to Austria, Vu Le Thai Hoang, underscored that ASEAN continues to regard the NPT as the cornerstone of global nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.

As President of the 11th NPT Review Conference, Vietnam is committed to performing its coordinating role in an objective, inclusive and transparent manner, promoting dialogue and consensus, and strengthening coordination with the IAEA on issues related to the peaceful use of nuclear energy and technical cooperation. Grossi pledged close coordination and support to help Vietnam fulfill its international responsibility.

The meeting showed the cooperative spirit between ASEAN and the IAEA in pursuit of peace, security, safety and sustainable development in the region and globally, while reaffirming the increasingly proactive and responsible role of ASEAN as a whole, and Vietnam in particular, in major multilateral nuclear processes.

IAEA pledges to further cooperation with Vietnam

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will continue its cooperation with Vietnam, especially in technical assistance, personnel training, infrastructure development, and the perfection of regulations and standards to ensure nuclear safety and security, said its Deputy Director General Hua Liu on March 21.

Vietnam makes positive and responsible contributions to IAEA’s activities

VOV.VN - Vietnam has hailed the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)’s efforts to achieve the field of nuclear inspection and its leading role in supporting countries, including Vietnam, to ensure both nuclear security and safety.