Fukushima accident a ‘wake-up call’ to boost nuclear safety, UN forum told
NEW YORK. September 22. KAZINFORM The accident at Japan's Fukushima nuclear power plant earlier this year highlights the need to strengthen nuclear safety and security, top United Nations officials said today at a meeting convened to rally political support and advance concrete action.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who convened the high-level meeting on nuclear safety and security, said that Fukushima - along with the Chernobyl disaster 25 years ago - serve as a "wake-up call" for the world's people.
"The effects of nuclear accidents respect no borders. To adequately safeguard our people, we must have strong international consensus and action. We must have strong international safety standards," Mr. Ban told the meeting, which is being held on the margins of the annual general debate of the General Assembly, the UN News CEntre reports.
He noted that in the months following the Fukushima accident, which occurred in the wake of the earthquake and tsunami that struck the country in March, the international community has mobilized to assess and apply lessons learned.
National authorities have undertaken voluntary reviews of natural hazards facing their nuclear installations; governments have reviewed safety standards and regulations; and the international community has discussed the issue at numerous forums and has taken concrete steps.
"The message has been clear and unified: we cannot accept business as usual - and we all have a stake in getting it right," Mr. Ban said.
"The United Nations has a clear role to play," added the Secretary-General, who launched a UN system-wide study on the implications of the accident.
The report touches on a variety of areas, including environment, health, food security, sustainable development and the nexus between nuclear safety and nuclear security, and presents system-wide views on how to improve disaster risk preparedness.
"Clearly, there is a compelling need for greater transparency and open accountability. We must rebuild public trust," said Mr. Ban. "We also need greater cooperation between international organizations and between governments."
Strengthening nuclear safety also means strengthening the capacity of the relevant international organizations - particularly the UN International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA ), given its central role in nuclear safety and security, he noted.
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