Statement by
Mr. As Natio Lasman
At the 56th Annual Regular Session of the General
Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency
Mr. President, Excellencies
Ladies and Gentlemen
1. The Indonesian delegation congratulates you warmly on your
election as the President of the 56th General Conference of the IAEA. I am confident that your able leadership will steer us towards a fruitful outcome. You and the member states of the bureau can count on the cooperation of the Indonesian delegation.
2. I would like to thank the Director General for his opening statement, as well as the Secretariat for preparing the documents for this General Conference.
3. Indonesia warmly welcomes the Republic of the Fiji Islands, the
Republic of San Marino and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago as new members of the IAEA. Indonesia stands ready to work closely with them in the field of peaceful applications of nuclear energy.
4. This conference takes place at a time when it is vital that we
maintain the good momentum in nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. We should seize this momentum in our work in the IAEA.
5. It is our hope that such a positive trend would find its manifestation in the advancement of Nuclear Weapons States (NWSs) on nuclear weapons free zones, including the South East Asia Nuclear-Weapons-Free Zone (SEANWFZ). The negotiations between ASEAN member states and NWSs of the SEANWFZ Protocol had been concluded during our ASEAN chairmanship in 2011. We hope the signing of SEANWFZ Protocol would soon become visible.
6. In the Middle East, on the basis of the Conclusion and Recommendation for follow-on actions of the 2010 NPT Review Conference, international community should exert all efforts towards the convening of Conference on the establishment of a Middles East Zone Free of nuclear weapons and all other weapons of mass destructions that should be attended by all states of the Middle East. Such conference is vital so that a comprehensive and constructive approach to resolving the non-proliferation issue in the Middle East can be attained.
7. We continue to view the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) as an essential instrument towards total elimination of nuclear weapons. As a country that recently ratified the CTBT on 6 December 2011, I reaffirm Indonesia’s strong support for the early entry into force of the CTBT. We invite the remaining Annex II countries to complete their ratification process.
Mr. President,
8. To advance our agenda on nuclear security, Indonesia sees the
9. My delegation is pleased to inform that Indonesia, in cooperation with the IAEA, and other relevant international organizations, is in the process of preparing a national legislation implementation kit on nuclear security. This implementation kit will take the form of a compilation of documents on model provisions of various international legal instruments related to nuclear security, which could be incorporated into national legislation. In this regard, Indonesia would like to express its gratitude to the IAEA and other international organizations for their support for the preparation of this implementation kit.
10. At the national level, Indonesia is on the process of drawing up a comprehensive legislation on nuclear security. The draft legislation will not replace the existing legislation that we have on nuclear security, but hopefully, it would fill the possible existing legal gaps in the areas of nuclear security and safeguards, strengthen the prevention capacities of law enforcers, as well as enhance the authority and power of the Indonesian Energy Regulatory Agency. As part of our national efforts to enhance nuclear security, Indonesia is currently collaborating with the IAEA to install Radiation Portal Monitors in the sea ports of Indonesia.
11. Indonesia appreciates the continued support of the Agency to
Mr. President
12. The IAEA has an important role to assist and promote the peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology, especially in the developing regions of the world. Nuclear technology plays an important role in addressing many aspects of Indonesia’s national development programs, particularly in the area of health, food and agriculture, water resources management, environmental protection and industry. Therefore, we remain confident of the use of nuclear technologies and the synergies fostered by international co-operation in the nuclear field, for which the work of the IAEA is of great importance.
13. In order to ensure food security and improve people’s live hood, Indonesia has been applying the radiation induced mutation and other nuclear and isotopic techniques to increase crops quality and productivity. Using such techniques we have produced and distributed 20 mutant rice varieties and 6 soybean varieties. We are also enhancing the application of irradiation technologies for sanitary and phytosanitary of agricultural products.
14. We remain of the view that IAEA Technical Cooperation plays an indispensable role as the main vehicle for the Agency to deliver its mandate to promoting the peaceful uses of nuclear technology, especially in the developing regions of the world.
15. There is a need to continue the support to the IAEA resources for technical cooperation. For its part, Indonesia will also pledge to pay its share to the TCF 2013.
17. The role of the Regional Co-operative Agreement for Research, Development and Training in Nuclear Science and Technology for the Asia and Pacific region (RCA)in the promotion of use of nuclear technology for socioeconomic development in the Asia-Pasific cannot be overlooked. In the past 40 years of its existence, the RCA has accumulated valuable experiences in the area of cooperation and coordination of nuclear related development activities in the region. We are determined to continue our active participation in the area of research, development and training in nuclear science and technology.
18. With regards to the Nuclear Energy Program, Indonesia has been involved in the International Project on Innovative Nuclear Reactors and Fuel Cycles (INPRO) and the Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Group (INIG). We believe these forums are important for the exchange of information and experience among participating countries. By using the INPRO methodology, Indonesia has integrated the Nuclear Energy System Assessment (NESA) to study the long term sustainability of nuclear energy programs. In previous years, we have supported INPRO by providing one Cost Free Expert each year, and since 2011, we have enhanced our contribution by providing two Cost Free Experts.
20. We are continuously a firm believer in the principle of "safety first" in all aspects of nuclear activities. Our national safety requirements and standards give no room for complacency. An important issue that should be taken up at national levels is on how we can advance a “Nuclear Safety Culture”. Indonesia, through its Nuclear Energy Regulatory Agency continues to pursue policies and formulations that further stress the importance of ensuring nuclear safety standards at all levels. In April 2012, we have successfully established a regulation on the Safety and Security of Nuclear Installation.
21. Our commitment to safeguards implementation remains strong. In collaboration with other countries in the Asia-Pacific region, Indonesia is taking part in efforts to enhance Asia-Pacific collaboration in safeguards by launching the Asia-Pacific Safeguards Network (APSN). The network serves as a vehicle defining how we implement the safeguards, assuring the use of nuclear energy solely for peaceful uses in the vibrant economic Asia-Pacific region.
Finally, Mr. President
23. Indonesia strongly believes that nuclear technology is a valuable component in the area of socio-economic and technological development of people around the world. It is the responsibilities of us all to ensure that the IAEA Statute is further strengthened. On its part, Indonesia is ready to take part in the endeavor of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
