Vietnamese and ASEAN Ministers commit to SEA Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone

ASEAN Minister vow to build Southeast Asia free of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction. Photo: Baoquocte

ASEAN Foreign Ministers while attending a meeting in Phnom Penh on August 2 reiterated their countries’ commitments to strictly implement the Treaty of Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) to build a region free of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction.

They acknowledged achievements in deploying the Plan of Action (POA) to strengthen the implementation of the treaty, and agreed to extend the plan for 2022-2026.

They welcomed the cooperation between the ASEAN Network of Regulatory Bodies on Atomic Energy (ASEANTOM) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in the research and application of nuclear technology for civil purposes.

The ministers agreed to strengthen consultations and encourage countries that own nuclear weapons to sign the SEANWFZ Protocol.

Addressing the meeting, Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son affirmed the value of the treaty in the current volatile and complicated context. He asked ASEAN to uphold the role and value of the treaty, and contribute to the international community’s efforts to ensure nuclear security and safety, according to the VOV.

The Minister also suggested efforts to find solutions for the signing of the SEANWFZ Protocol.

Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son. Photo: Nhandan

Vietnam, in its capacity as ASEAN Chair 2020, was praised for its efforts in completing a memorandum of understanding on activities relating to the treaty.

In his remarks, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son affirmed Vietnam’s support for ASEAN to continue advising countries possessing nuclear weapons to join the treaty.

He emphasised the importance of maintaining the document’s targets and principles and welcomed the building of ASEAN rules on radiological and nuclear emergency preparedness and response, considering this a significant contribution to the ASEAN Shield initiative raised by Brunei as ASEAN Chair 2021 to enhance ASEAN’s collective strength to cope with natural disasters.

The meeting was the first activity within the 55th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM-55) and related meetings taking place in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

The participating countries committed to accelerating the implementation of the treaty, acknowledged achievements in the implementation of the Plan of Action (POA) to Strengthen the Implementation of the SEANWFZ, and agreed to extend the plan for 2022-2026.

They welcomed the cooperation between the ASEAN Network of Regulatory Bodies on Atomic Energy (ASEANTOM) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in the research and application of nuclear technology for civil purposes.

The delegates also agreed to strengthen consultations and urge the countries that have nuclear weapons to sign the SEANWFZ protocol, reported the Vietnamplus.

Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son (L) meets Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith in Phnom Penh.Photo: VOV

On the same day, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son met Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith who is attending the meeting in Cambodia.

The two ministers emphasized the significance of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the relations and the 45th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.

They agreed to maintain the exchange of high-level delegations and cooperation mechanisms between ministries, agencies and localities of the two countries in carrying out activities within the framework the Solidarity and Friendship Year 2022.

The two sides also agreed to implement a cooperation agreement between the two Foreign Ministries for 2021-2025, including political consultations and experience exchanges in foreign affairs. They consented to strengthen close coordination and mutual support at international, regional and sub-regional forums, maintain solidarity and consolidate ASEAN’s central role.

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