UN launches Japan nuclear crisis study

UN launches Japan nuclear crisis study

2011-05-21 07:39:10 GMT+7 (ICT)

UNITED NATIONS (BNO NEWS) -- United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday stressed the UN's "clear role" in global nuclear safety, confirming that the UN would launch a study surrounding the accident in Japan's Fukushima nuclear plant and its implications.

Speaking at a video conference with the heads of UN agencies to discuss the implications of the damage to the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Japan following the earthquake and tsunami in March, Ban said nuclear safety is a matter of "global public interest," adding that he would present world leaders with ideas on disaster preparedness at the annual meeting of the General Assembly this September.

"The UN has a clear role to play in facilitating this discussion," Ban said, confirming that a high-level meeting would be convened on September 22 to discuss nuclear safety and security.

During the meeting, Ban said he would present a UN system-wide study on the implications of the nuclear accident at Fukushima, touching a variety of areas as well, such as environment, health, food security, sustainable development and the nexus between nuclear safety and nuclear security.

"It will also present system-wide views on how to improve disaster risk preparedness," Ban said. "As I said when the world marked the 25th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster, the time has come for a global rethink on nuclear energy and safety issues."

While acknowledging that each State has the right to define its national energy policy, Ban underlined the importance to establish a common objective to deepen global understanding of the entire range of issues relating to development of nuclear energy and its safety transcending national borders.

"Going forward, the effects of a nuclear plant disaster – from prevention to clean-up – should be more fully reflected in the assessment of how to ensure the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and maximum safety," the UN Secretary-General stated.

Last month, Ban presented a five-point action plan on nuclear safety during a visit to Kiev, Ukraine, and earlier this month, he told a disaster risk reduction conference in Geneva that efforts must be accelerated.

"The world’s vulnerability to disaster risks is growing faster than our ability to increase resilience. As a result of global climate change, weather-related hazards are on the rise. Nuclear safety and the threat of multiple hazards add an even greater sense of urgency," he said.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-05-21