Bangkok--Jun 16--MFA
Your Excellency Lt. Gen. Poonpirom Liptapanlop, Minister of Energy,
Mr. Wang Zhongtang, Assistant Administrator of the National Nuclear Safety
Administration of China,
Mr. Tomihiro Taniguchi, Deputy Director-General and Head of Department of Nuclear Safety and Security of the IAEA,
Distinguished Participants,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is an honour for me to welcome all of you to this ASEAN+3 Forum on Nuclear Energy Safety, co-organised by the Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand.
Over a decade ago, in 1997, the ASEAN+3 process was established in response to the Asian financial crisis. Despite difficulties, we came through — with joint action and in cooperation with others outside the region.
Today, ASEAN+3 countries are facing a new challenge — no less significant, no less urgent. It is the challenge of long-term energy security in the wake of skyrocketing oil prices.
Now, as then, the ASEAN+3 process can play a role.
In just about one year, we have seen over a 100 per cent increase in the oil price. From around 65 US dollars a barrel in May last year, it has now gone past 135 US dollars a barrel. Some even forecast that oil prices could eventually breach the 200 US dollar mark.
If current trends in rising oil prices continue unchecked, we will be experiencing an energy crisis — a crisis that can have considerable impact on the economy and livelihood of the peoples in many countries, especially developing ones.
Why?
Because our modern economy and societies have become too reliant on oil and thus too vulnerable to this unprecedented oil price shock.
Already, its effects are being felt, and we witness protests in many places against soaring fuel prices.
Recent World Bank studies also indicate that rising energy prices, together with fertilizer prices and the falling dollar, have contributed to a 35 per cent rise in the world food prices.
So, there is also this link between the problem of high oil prices and energy security, and the issue of food security — another issue of great concern to all of us.
It is therefore important, more than ever before, that we look at alternative sources of energy, particularly those that are renewable, sustainable and — given growing environmental concern — clean.
And nuclear energy is one source of energy that many countries, including those in Southeast Asia, are exploring, in addition to bio-fuels, hydro-, wind and solar power.
Indeed, there is growing interest in the developing world on nuclear energy. According to the IAEA, 17 out of the 35 reactors being built are situated in developing countries.
However, for all the promise of the potential of nuclear energy, there have always been certain stigmas attached to it from the public’s perspective.
There is the fear of something going wrong in a nuclear power plant — a fear fanned by memories of Chernoblyl, Three Miles Island and other incidents over the past few years, including those in Asia.
That is why nuclear safety is so critical to the development of nuclear energy.
That is why Thailand has become parties to some relevant conventions and is working to become parties to others that are related to nuclear safety.
And that is why Thailand and other ASEAN countries are Parties to the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) (ชอนเฟซ) Treaty which, among other activities, promotes nuclear safety.
The SEANWFZ Plan of Action adopted last year calls for the establishment of a regional nuclear safety regime. Additional ideas to promote nuclear safety include the establishment of networks of experts on nuclear safety, many of whom are here, and the establishment of response teams to nuclear related accidents.
Nuclear safety is important not only in and of itself. It is essential in building greater confidence and trust on the part of the public, whose support is vital to the development of nuclear energy. Public outreach and education programmes are therefore essential.
There are also other aspects of nuclear safety which are not related to nuclear energy but are equally important.
These include applications of nuclear technology in the fields of human health and nutrition, all of which require adequate safety standards. Here, I am pleased to note that human health was one of the largest single beneficiaries of the IAEA’s technical cooperation core programme last year.
Side by side with nuclear safety is also the issue of nuclear security, which becomes increasingly important in light of the threats posed by nuclear terrorism.
At the same time, diversion of nuclear materials and technology poses a perennial threat to the region and the world. Effective safeguards are therefore essential — a critical element in the global nuclear non-proliferation under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, or the NPT.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The ASEAN+3 process comprises both countries that have great advances in nuclear technology for peaceful purposes and countries that are in need of such technology.
Despite this diversity, we have a shared commitment to enhancing our cooperation on energy security. This is reflected in the Second Joint Statement on East Asia Co-operation adopted last year at the 11th ASEAN+3 Summit.
It is thus very fitting, and timely, that nuclear energy safety is being discussed within the framework of the ASEAN+3 cooperation on energy — where there is great expertise as well as great needs — where there is shared political will to enhance greater regional cooperation as well as a shared long-term vision of an East Asian community.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Right after this meeting, another group of countries that participate in the East Asia Summit (EAS) will convene in a Workshop to share their expertise and experiences on bio-fuels. This Workshop on Bio-fuels is again co-organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Energy as part of our diplomacy to enhance cooperation on energy security in the region.
It has been more than 20 years that His Majesty the King of Thailand has launched a project to develop ethanol and bio-diesel. His Majesty’s foresight has now become an important contribution to the Royal Thai Government’s effort to promote the alternative energy mix. Thailand is the leader in ASEAN that commercially produces and sells Gasohol and bio-diesel for a wider domestic market. We hope to share our experience with other countries wishing to develop bio-fuels as an alternative energy source.
But for now, let us explore how we can together promote nuclear safety in order to make nuclear energy a more attractive component of a country’s energy mix.
On this note, I wish to thank the Ministry of Energy for co-organizing the ASEAN+3 Forum on Nuclear Energy Safety and EAS Workshop on Bio-fuels. I also thank the Government of the People’s Republic of China in supporting and co-hosting this Forum, and all speakers and experts who accept our invitation to come here.
I wish the meeting a great success and look forward to the continuation of this forum in the years to come.
Thank you.
Prime Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Press Division, Department of Information Tel.(02) 643-5170
Fax. (02) 643-5169 E-mail : div0704@mfa.go.th End.
-PM-
Your Excellency Lt. Gen. Poonpirom Liptapanlop, Minister of Energy,
Mr. Wang Zhongtang, Assistant Administrator of the National Nuclear Safety
Administration of China,
Mr. Tomihiro Taniguchi, Deputy Director-General and Head of Department of Nuclear Safety and Security of the IAEA,
Distinguished Participants,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is an honour for me to welcome all of you to this ASEAN+3 Forum on Nuclear Energy Safety, co-organised by the Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand.
Over a decade ago, in 1997, the ASEAN+3 process was established in response to the Asian financial crisis. Despite difficulties, we came through — with joint action and in cooperation with others outside the region.
Today, ASEAN+3 countries are facing a new challenge — no less significant, no less urgent. It is the challenge of long-term energy security in the wake of skyrocketing oil prices.
Now, as then, the ASEAN+3 process can play a role.
In just about one year, we have seen over a 100 per cent increase in the oil price. From around 65 US dollars a barrel in May last year, it has now gone past 135 US dollars a barrel. Some even forecast that oil prices could eventually breach the 200 US dollar mark.
If current trends in rising oil prices continue unchecked, we will be experiencing an energy crisis — a crisis that can have considerable impact on the economy and livelihood of the peoples in many countries, especially developing ones.
Why?
Because our modern economy and societies have become too reliant on oil and thus too vulnerable to this unprecedented oil price shock.
Already, its effects are being felt, and we witness protests in many places against soaring fuel prices.
Recent World Bank studies also indicate that rising energy prices, together with fertilizer prices and the falling dollar, have contributed to a 35 per cent rise in the world food prices.
So, there is also this link between the problem of high oil prices and energy security, and the issue of food security — another issue of great concern to all of us.
It is therefore important, more than ever before, that we look at alternative sources of energy, particularly those that are renewable, sustainable and — given growing environmental concern — clean.
And nuclear energy is one source of energy that many countries, including those in Southeast Asia, are exploring, in addition to bio-fuels, hydro-, wind and solar power.
Indeed, there is growing interest in the developing world on nuclear energy. According to the IAEA, 17 out of the 35 reactors being built are situated in developing countries.
However, for all the promise of the potential of nuclear energy, there have always been certain stigmas attached to it from the public’s perspective.
There is the fear of something going wrong in a nuclear power plant — a fear fanned by memories of Chernoblyl, Three Miles Island and other incidents over the past few years, including those in Asia.
That is why nuclear safety is so critical to the development of nuclear energy.
That is why Thailand has become parties to some relevant conventions and is working to become parties to others that are related to nuclear safety.
And that is why Thailand and other ASEAN countries are Parties to the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) (ชอนเฟซ) Treaty which, among other activities, promotes nuclear safety.
The SEANWFZ Plan of Action adopted last year calls for the establishment of a regional nuclear safety regime. Additional ideas to promote nuclear safety include the establishment of networks of experts on nuclear safety, many of whom are here, and the establishment of response teams to nuclear related accidents.
Nuclear safety is important not only in and of itself. It is essential in building greater confidence and trust on the part of the public, whose support is vital to the development of nuclear energy. Public outreach and education programmes are therefore essential.
There are also other aspects of nuclear safety which are not related to nuclear energy but are equally important.
These include applications of nuclear technology in the fields of human health and nutrition, all of which require adequate safety standards. Here, I am pleased to note that human health was one of the largest single beneficiaries of the IAEA’s technical cooperation core programme last year.
Side by side with nuclear safety is also the issue of nuclear security, which becomes increasingly important in light of the threats posed by nuclear terrorism.
At the same time, diversion of nuclear materials and technology poses a perennial threat to the region and the world. Effective safeguards are therefore essential — a critical element in the global nuclear non-proliferation under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, or the NPT.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The ASEAN+3 process comprises both countries that have great advances in nuclear technology for peaceful purposes and countries that are in need of such technology.
Despite this diversity, we have a shared commitment to enhancing our cooperation on energy security. This is reflected in the Second Joint Statement on East Asia Co-operation adopted last year at the 11th ASEAN+3 Summit.
It is thus very fitting, and timely, that nuclear energy safety is being discussed within the framework of the ASEAN+3 cooperation on energy — where there is great expertise as well as great needs — where there is shared political will to enhance greater regional cooperation as well as a shared long-term vision of an East Asian community.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Right after this meeting, another group of countries that participate in the East Asia Summit (EAS) will convene in a Workshop to share their expertise and experiences on bio-fuels. This Workshop on Bio-fuels is again co-organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Energy as part of our diplomacy to enhance cooperation on energy security in the region.
It has been more than 20 years that His Majesty the King of Thailand has launched a project to develop ethanol and bio-diesel. His Majesty’s foresight has now become an important contribution to the Royal Thai Government’s effort to promote the alternative energy mix. Thailand is the leader in ASEAN that commercially produces and sells Gasohol and bio-diesel for a wider domestic market. We hope to share our experience with other countries wishing to develop bio-fuels as an alternative energy source.
But for now, let us explore how we can together promote nuclear safety in order to make nuclear energy a more attractive component of a country’s energy mix.
On this note, I wish to thank the Ministry of Energy for co-organizing the ASEAN+3 Forum on Nuclear Energy Safety and EAS Workshop on Bio-fuels. I also thank the Government of the People’s Republic of China in supporting and co-hosting this Forum, and all speakers and experts who accept our invitation to come here.
I wish the meeting a great success and look forward to the continuation of this forum in the years to come.
Thank you.
Prime Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Press Division, Department of Information Tel.(02) 643-5170
Fax. (02) 643-5169 E-mail : div0704@mfa.go.th End.
-PM-