Vietnam recognises the great importance of nuclear safety and security and abides by and fully implements its obligations under international nuclear treaties, said Vietnamese Ambassador Bui The Giang.

Ambassador Giang, who is also Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, made the statement at the high-level meeting on nuclear safety and security convened by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in New York on Sept. 22.

The Vietnamese diplomat said peaceful application of nuclear technology has become commonplace and brought positive results in power production, healthcare and other fields.

However, he said, nuclear weapons and the possibility of nuclear proliferation have posed a serious threat to humans.

In addition, the recent accident at Japan ’s Fukushima nuclear power plant has forced the international community to review and improve their management work and pay more attention to nuclear safety and security in the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

The ambassador went on to say that Vietnam always considers nuclear safety and security a top priority in using nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.

Vietnam abides by and implements all treaties and major international legal documents in nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation, nuclear safety and security, including the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) and UN Security Council Resolution 1540, Giang said.

Vietnam has ratified the global initiative to combat nuclear terrorism and has closely cooperated with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and other partners in setting up legal frameworks as well as management agencies to control and ensure safety and security in the use of nuclear materials and radioactive substances.

Ambassador Giang proposed that the UN and IAEA continue to play the core role in coordinating efforts in nuclear safety and security.
Cooperation in nuclear safety and security should take place to achieve the consensus of related parties while ensuring constant and timely sharing of information and practical experiences in the field, the ambassador said./.