Main Committees 2 and 3 begin debate at NPT Review Conference
May 12, 2010
by Yumi Kanazaki, Staff Writer, dispatched from New York
At the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference being held at United Nations Headquarters in New York, Main Committee 2 and Main Committee 3 began their discussions on nuclear non-proliferation and the peaceful use of nuclear energy, respectively.
Such countries as Japan and Australia stressed at Main Committee 2 that the additional protocol which grants the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) a wider authority for inspection is indispensable for strengthening the NPT regime. Japan criticized the nuclear testing conducted by North Korea, calling on the nation to nullify its declaration to withdraw from the NPT and to renounce its nuclear arms.
At Main Committee 3, Canada, the European Union (EU), and others pointed out that nuclear security and fulfilling the nuclear safeguards obligation accompany the peaceful use of nuclear energy. They referred to promoting a multilateral approach to the nuclear fuel cycle so that enrichment of uranium and reprocessing of spent fuel cannot both be conducted within a single country. Such nations as Egypt, however, expressed concern that this approach would infringe on granted rights to use nuclear energy for peace purposes.
"Practical steps on nuclear disarmament and security assurances," a subcommittee of Main Committee 1, which began talks on nuclear disarmament on May 7, also initiated its first discussions on May 10 to reaffirm each of the 13 steps, a set of measures for implementing nuclear disarmament agreed upon at the 2000 NPT Review Conference.
(Originally published on May 12, 2010)
Related articles
Discussion begins in committee on nuclear disarmament (May 10, 2010)
At the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference being held at United Nations Headquarters in New York, Main Committee 2 and Main Committee 3 began their discussions on nuclear non-proliferation and the peaceful use of nuclear energy, respectively.
Such countries as Japan and Australia stressed at Main Committee 2 that the additional protocol which grants the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) a wider authority for inspection is indispensable for strengthening the NPT regime. Japan criticized the nuclear testing conducted by North Korea, calling on the nation to nullify its declaration to withdraw from the NPT and to renounce its nuclear arms.
At Main Committee 3, Canada, the European Union (EU), and others pointed out that nuclear security and fulfilling the nuclear safeguards obligation accompany the peaceful use of nuclear energy. They referred to promoting a multilateral approach to the nuclear fuel cycle so that enrichment of uranium and reprocessing of spent fuel cannot both be conducted within a single country. Such nations as Egypt, however, expressed concern that this approach would infringe on granted rights to use nuclear energy for peace purposes.
"Practical steps on nuclear disarmament and security assurances," a subcommittee of Main Committee 1, which began talks on nuclear disarmament on May 7, also initiated its first discussions on May 10 to reaffirm each of the 13 steps, a set of measures for implementing nuclear disarmament agreed upon at the 2000 NPT Review Conference.
(Originally published on May 12, 2010)
Related articles
Discussion begins in committee on nuclear disarmament (May 10, 2010)
