MFA Press Statement: Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong's participation at the Eminent Persons Group Meeting for the 2012 Nuclear Security Summit, in Seoul, Republic of Korea on 29 November 2011

Emeritus Senior Minister (ESM) Goh Chok Tong participated in a meeting of the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) for the 2012 Nuclear Security Summit (NSS) in Seoul today. The EPG was formed by the Government of the Republic of Korea (ROK) to advise President Lee Myung-bak on the substantive elements of the NSS (1).

The EPG members agreed that the 2012 NSS should build on the momentum of the inaugural NSS in Washington DC in 2010. They emphasised the importance of addressing nuclear security and nuclear safety issues in a holistic manner, given that the mismanagement of one aspect can have consequences on the other and vice versa. They also reaffirmed the essential role the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) plays in the promotion of robust nuclear safety and security frameworks.

The EPG members also had a substantive discussion on nuclear safety, and agreed that this issue should be a topic of discussion at the 2012 NSS especially in the wake of the Fukushima nuclear accident. On this subject, ESM Goh underscored the importance of building national and regional resilience to deal with the aftermath of serious radiological and nuclear accidents, whether due to a terrorist attack or a natural disaster such as tsunamis and earthquakes. ESM Goh said that countries should be encouraged to strengthen regional cooperation mechanisms and build up capabilities, such as the early notification of nuclear accidents and coordinated emergency preparedness and responses. Such efforts can strengthen regional resilience against serious nuclear accidents and boost public confidence in the use of nuclear power.

ESM Goh also noted that many countries may turn to nuclear power as a source of energy in the future. In this regard, it is important for the IAEA and countries with the expertise and experience in nuclear issues to help countries who are new in this field establish robust nuclear security and safety infrastructure to secure nuclear material and facilities, and to ensure the safe operations of nuclear power plants.

The EPG members were hosted to lunch by ROK President Lee Myung-bak. During lunch, they briefed President Lee on the outcomes of their discussion and discussed other issues, including the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
29 NOVEMBER 2011
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(1) The EPG comprises 15 international statesmen, former senior government officials, and prominent academics with expertise in international security, nuclear security and non-proliferation issues such as former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, former Indian President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and former Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Hans Blix.