In his speech at the third Nuclear Security Summit (NSS) on March 25 in the Hague, the Netherlands, before representatives from 53 countries and five international organisations, including 40 high-ranking leaders, the leader further said Vietnam has also actively participated in international legal tools and initiatives related to nuclear security.

It has also applied measures to manage the import and export of radioactive sources at a number of airports and seaports, while providing intensive training for its personnel and building a culture of security in relevant agencies, he added.

The PM also hailed the central role of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in the global nuclear security structure.

As a member and chair of the IAEA Board of Governors for the 2013-2014 tenure, Vietnam will do its utmost to, together with partners, make positive contributions to ensuring nuclear safety in the world, the government leader said.

He stated that the use of nuclear power for peaceful purposes, as well as the non-proliferation and the disarmament of nuclear weapons, is a common goal that the whole world targets.

Together with taking voluntary measures, all countries should design specific and suitable solutions to support developing countries in the field, while continuing to promote the role of multilateral institutions, especially the IAEA and the United Nations, said the Vietnamese PM. 

PM’s speech at 2014 Nuclear Security Summit

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung delivered a speech at the 3rd Nuclear Security Summit in The Hague, the Netherlands on the afternoon of March 25.

The following is the full text of his speech:

Prime Minister Mark Rutte of the Netherlands,

Distinguished guests,

On behalf of the Government of Vietnam, I appreciate the efforts made by the Government of the Netherlands, Prime Minister Mark Rutte, countries, and international organizations in organizing the 3rdNuclear Security Summit.

I believe that the Summit will figure out fresh effective orientations and measures to further enhance nuclear security and reduce the risk of nuclear terrorism in each country and the world at large.

Being aware that each country bears the main responsibility to ensure nuclear security, Vietnam has gradually improved the legal system on nuclear security, guaranteed the security control of all high-intensity radioactive sources, begun to deploy measures to monitor its export and import of radioactive sources at some airports and seaports, train a personnel and build up a culture of security in relevant agencies while actively participating in the legal tools and international initiatives relevant to nuclear security

Since the Summits in Washington DC in 2010 and Seoul in 2012, Vietam has ratified the Additional Protocol in September 2012; acceded to and ratified the IAEA Convention on Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM) and its Amendment Protocol in October 2012; coordinated with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Russian Federation and the US in repatriating highly enriched uranium to the Russian Federation, where it originally came from, successfully completing the fuel conversion program for the Da Lat Research Reactor in July, 2013; acceded to the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management in October 2013. We are also actively preparing for joining the Convention on the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism (ICSANT).

Vietnam highly values the IAEA’s role in the international nuclear security architecture. We have made active contributions the IAEA’s operations as well as fruitfully used the agency’s assistance in terms of nuclear security. As a member of the IAEA Board of Governors for the 2013-2014 tenure, Vietnam will spare no effort, along with partners, to actively contribute to guaranteeing global nuclear security.

Vietnam has coordinated closely with other ASEAN member States in forming a nuclear weapon-free, peaceful and stable ASEAN; simultaneously expanding cooperation with the IAEA and many other countries in developing infrastructure and other necessary conditions for the realization of the National program on nuclear power in an effective and safe manner.

Distinguished guests,

Peaceful use of nuclear energy, non-proliferation and disarment of nuclear weapons are the common goals that we are together working to achieve. Along with encouraging countries to exercise voluntary measures within their capacity, we need to have concrete and proper programs and measures to assist developing countries in this sphere and continue to enhance the role of multi-lateral mechanisms, especially the IAEA and the United Nations.

Vietnam supports the inclusive orientations and measures outlined in the Summit Statement. We have joined some initiatives proposed at this Summit and support the US to play the host of the Nuclear Security Summit in 2016.

Thank you very much.