This was the largest international summit on nuclear security and the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons since World War II, as it brought together the heads of state and government from nearly 50 countries across the world. It’s worth mentioning that after World War II, more countries adopted nuclear weapons and developed nuclear technology at different levels. 

There is no denying that nuclear energy is very useful to humankind’s development. It can bring high socio-economic efficiency to all countries if it is used for civil and peaceful purposes, or it could cause catastrophic consequences for human beings and the environment.

The fact is that Al-Qaeda terrorists have already attempted to acquire nuclear material and technology in their attacks. Even though this terrorist organisation and other extremist groups find it difficult to create atomic bombs, they are able to create apple-shaped ‘dirty bombs’ from nuclear material such as uranium and plutonium, which can kill thousands of people. Ironically, this material is available and beyond control at research reactors or universities.

John Brennan, Assistant to the US President and Deputy National Security Adviser for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism, says that Al-Qaeda have been searching for the material for more than 15 years to create such bombs. Meanwhile, Australia’s leading nuclear expert, Prof. Tilman Ruff, from Melbourne University, warns that terrorist attacks using dirty bombs are just a matter of time. Therefore, the Washington summit aimed to control and prevent nuclear material from falling into the hands of terrorist groups.

The leaders from nearly 50 participating countries, including nuclear powers such as China, France, India, Russia and Pakistan, agreed to work together to prevent nuclear threats to humankind. They vowed to secure all the world's vulnerable nuclear material within four years, and take action to prevent terrorist groups from obtaining any. 

Many participating countries showed their own commitments. The Ukraine said it has decided to dispose of approximately 90kg of its refined uranium which is used to make nuclear bombs by 2012. Canada, Chile and Mexico also made similar decisions to eliminate highly enriched uranium. Notably, Russia and the US also signed a new deal, under which each will dispose 34 tonnes of excess weapon-grade plutonium - enough to process 17,000 nuclear warheads.

Vietnam’s attendance at the summit has shown its responsibility towards nuclear security by taking part in a number of international initiatives and programmes on disarmament and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. The country has cooperated with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the US and Russia in converting the uranium at its research reactor into a lower grade. It has also worked with the European Union, Japan and the US to install radioactive scanners at its seaports.

The summit's joint statement will not only prevent significant threats of nuclear weapons but also marks a turning point in building a nuclear weapon-free world. However, this does not mean there will not be unforeseeable difficulties and challenges to the world before achieving the goal.

To build a safer world, all countries have no choice but to take specific action to fulfil their commitments. Notably, nuclear powers should continue to reduce their nuclear stockpiles and then go ahead with nuclear disarmament to remove any nuclear threats to humankind.