7 October 2019, the Office of Atoms for Peace held the Regional Training Course on “IAEA-RCARO-ASEANTOM Regional Training Course Rapid Radiation Measurement and Individual Dose Assessment following Nuclear and Radiological Emergency” organized in collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Regional Cooperative Agreement Regional Office: RCARO) to increase knowledge and understanding of radioactivity measurement and quantification in the environment and people.
The Office of Atoms for Peace (OAP), Ministry of Science and Technology, has started its role as the chair of ASEANTOM in 2019 by hosting the Kick-off Meeting of Exercise Development Training Series (EDTS) together with United States Department of Energy (U.S. DOE) during 2-4 April 2019 in Pattaya, Chonburi. In this event, invited representatives from ASEANTOM member states discussed their security development plans with a team of experts from the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). The aim is to identify strengths and weaknesses in their national security regimes for arrangement of the suitable training series that meet each individual country and region needs.
Supporting development of an integrated national security system for nuclear and radioactive materials during 28 - 30 January 2014, Bangkok Thailand
Objective of the Meeting:
To discuss national implementation strategies and lessons learned for the security of nuclear and radioactive materials with ASEANTOM and the EC JRC in the framework of the EU CBRN CoE P28
In Cooperation of Nuclear Security Unit, Institute for Transuranium Elements Joint Research Centre, European Commission Ispra, Italy
The ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting (ASEAN SOM) recently held on 8-9 September 2013 in Bandar Seri Begawan was briefed by Thailand on the outcome of the First Meeting of the ASEANTOM held on 2-5 September 2013. The ASEAN SOM agreed to endorse the TOR of the ASEANTOM as proposed by the First Meeting of the ASEANTOM. The ASEAN SOM also discussed the placement of the ASEANTOM in the appropriate annex of the ASEAN Charter (entity associated with ASEAN or ASEAN body). In this regard, the ASEAN SOM tasked the ASEAN Secretariat to further look into this issue and make recommendations accordingly to the ASEAN SOM.
The use and application of nuclear technology in our region have been on the increase in various areas. Most evidently, several ASEAN Member States have planned a nuclear power plant programme to meet their increasing demand for energy. While promoting the use of nuclear energy, it has to be noted that impacts of any nuclear incident are trans-boundary, as clearly reflected by the recent nuclear emergency in Japan. Therefore, cooperation on nuclear issues among countries in the region is essential.
The establishment of a network amongst nuclear regulatory bodies or relevant authorities in ASEAN Member States will correspond to need to promote safe, secure and peaceful uses of nuclear energy in the region. This network could be called ASEANTOM (ASEAN Network of Regulatory Bodies on Atomic Energy).
The ASEANTOM will be an informal network that serves as a venue for sharing of best practices, exchange of views and information as well as discussion on safety, security, and safeguards in the use of nuclear energy amongst nuclear regulatory bodies or relevant authorities. Activities within this network will focus on the issues of mutual interest which may include: · Enhancing regulatory capacity through training courses and technical collaboration; · Sharing of best practices and exchange of experiences in regulating nuclear activities with regard to safety, security and safeguards; · Exchange of information on nuclear activities in each country to promote transparency and build confidence in safe, secure and peaceful uses of nuclear energy within the region; · Forging cooperation in nuclear emergency preparedness and response, as well as radiation monitoring in the region.
This network will be non-binding in nature and, by no means, aimed at setting new standards or regulations within the region, as ASEAN will continue to uphold the IAEA standards and guidelines, upon which the national implementation of safety, security and safeguards measures will continue to be based. Moreover, the work of the ASEANTOM will not create any duplication with the existing frameworks within the region, but instead, will complement them.
