Beyond security towards peace: Nuclear Security Summit 2012

In 2007, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon declared, “Nuclear terrorism is one of the most serious threats of our time. Even one such attack could inflict mass casualties and create immense suffering and unwanted change in the world forever.” In a series of collective endeavors to tackle this pressing concern of the international community, the 2012 Seoul Nuclear Security Summit will be held from March 26 to 27 this year in Korea.

Indeed, terrorism remains as the most serious security threat to the peace-loving countries and peoples in the world since the 9/11 attack. To effectively prevent and frustrate the plot of terrorists, international coordination and collaboration is critical since no single country, no matter how resourceful and capable it is, can effectively tackle the scourge of terrorism alone.

To further compound the security threat, there is an increasing possibility of linkage of terrorist activities with nuclear weapons and materials. The volume of nuclear materials all over the world alarms us. It is estimated that about 1,600 tons of highly enriched uranium (HEU) and 500 tons of plutonium are stored around the world. This volume of nuclear materials is sufficient to build 126,500 pieces of nuclear weapons. It is even more disturbing that more than 2,000 cases of illegal trafficking, theft or loss of nuclear and radiological materials have been reported from 1993 to 2001 by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the prime international watchdog organization for nuclear safety and non-proliferation.

It is against this backdrop that the first Nuclear Security Summit was held in Washington, D.C. in April 2010. With 47 participating states including the Philippines and Korea, it has produced a strong political will to achieve a safer world by securing vulnerable nuclear materials.

Building on the strong commitment of the participating states of the Washington Summit, the Seoul Summit will be another milestone in consolidating international efforts and harmonizing national measures to ensure international nuclear security. Among others, the Summit will seek cooperative measures to fight against the threat of nuclear terrorism including thwarting the illegal trafficking and smuggling of weapons-grade nuclear materials through increased cooperation on border control. It also aims to reach agreement on concrete actions to better secure nuclear materials and nuclear reactors and other relevant facilities.

On top of the nuclear security issues, the Seoul Summit will also deliver on nuclear safety in the wake of Fukushima nuclear accident in March 2011. By addressing this vital concern pertaining to nuclear energy, the Seoul Summit can play a catalytic role to restore confidence in the safety of nuclear energy. By doing so, the Summit will contribute to the flourishing “nuclear renaissance,” which is the thriving revival of nuclear power industry amid the rising cost of fossil fuel and growing concern of climate change.

Another important subject will be the threat of radiological terrorism, which exploits dirty bombs containing radiological materials. Even if the technology to fabricate dirty bombs is primitive, the devastation it could unleash would be grave unless such weapons are prevented.

The Republic of the Philippines has been a staunch supporter of global efforts in building a safer world free of terrorist and nuclear threats. Moreover, its strategic location in Asia and the Pacific provides the Philippines with an even more vital role in ensuring peace and security in this region and beyond. In 2010, the Philippines joined the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism, fully implementing its commitment at the Washington Nuclear Security Summit. It has adhered to various initiatives for reinforcing nuclear security and safety in close cooperation with the international partners. As such, I sincerely hope that the Philippines, with its long-standing commitment to peace and stability, will continue its contribution to international nuclear security and safety by sharing its visit.