Kuwait coordinates with world powers on nuclear safety

Kuwait is currently coordinating with world powers and relevant authorities for completing ratification measures of the Convention of Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM), said the Kuwaiti ambassador to Austria. Sadeq Maerefi, also Kuwait's permanent representative at international organizations here, affirmed in a statement at the 57th session of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), late on Tuesday, Kuwait had signed the convention and was presently coordinating with the concerned authorities to finalize ratification procedures. The convention genuinely holds the host country of a nuclear site liable for compensation for accidents' damage. The world has witnessed several nuclear accidents, namely the ones that occurred at Chernobyl's nuclear reactor in the Ukraine, in 1986, and Fukushima, Japan, in 2011. Wide Kuwait is concerned about safety at nuclear sites to safeguard humanity against radiation and tough regulations must be enforced to spare nations such deadly accidents, stressed the Kuwaiti diplomat. The Gulf state has been coordinating with the IAEA various agencies and departments for ensuring safe utilization of the nuclear energy, Maerefi added, indicating Kuwait's regular consultations and meetings with GCC and IAEA experts at this level. The IAEA should double efforts to ensure security at nuclear plants worldwide, Maerefi said, affirming the Gulf country interest in implementing the IAEA standards and "assurances" for all forms of nuclear activities in the Middle East, he added, regretting Israel's abstention from signing the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Israel's intransigence in this respect negatively affects regional and international security and stability. Maerefi called on Iran to increase cooperation with the IAEA and respond to its queries regarding nature of its nuclear program. He also exressed satisfaction at steps to be taken by Iran in coordination with the IAEA to assure its neighbors regarding safety of Bushehr nuclear reactor, namely by means of implementing safety standards. The CPPNM entered into force on February 8, 1987 and, and 136 countries signed it by June 30, 2008. The convention is the only legally binding international instrument in the area of physical protection of nuclear material and one of the 13 international counter-terrorism instruments. It establishes measures related to prevention, detection and punishment of offenses related to nuclear material. On July 8, 2005, states parties to the CPPNM adopted by consensus an amendment. Whereas the obligations for physical protection under the CPPNM covered nuclear material during international transport, the amendment to makes it legally binding for states parties to protect nuclear facilities and material in peaceful domestic use, storage and transport. It also provides for expanded cooperation between and among States regarding rapid measures to locate and recover stolen or smuggled nuclear material, mitigate any radiological consequences of sabotage, and prevent and combat related offences. The amendment will enter into force when it has been ratified by two-thirds of the states parties of the convention. The amendment constitutes an important milestone in international efforts to improve the physical protection of nuclear material and facilities. The amendment is vitally important for nuclear security and will have a major impact in reducing the vulnerability of states parties to nuclear terrorism.