ASEAN’s foreign ministers have agreed to disseminate the notion of the Southeast Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free-Zone (SEANWFZ) Treaty on regional and international agendas.

ASEAN foreign ministers at the meeting on August 2. Photos: Nguyen Hong/ Baoquocte

The ministers reached in the common idea at the Commission for the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ Commission)’s video conference on August 2.

To which, the member states reaffirmed the importance of the treaty to the regional security, pledged to maintain the region free of nuclear weapon, and ensured the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

ASEAN countries agreed that they would continue implementing SEANFWZ for the 2018-2022 period and promote the accession to the convention on early notification of a nuclear accident by all states parties.

The Plans of Action for the 2018-2022 includes enhancing cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), other international and regional bodies and institutes with relevant resources and expertise including the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), other Nuclear Weapon-Free Zones, Dialogue Partners, Nuclear Weapon States and other friendly states, to seek their support for the implementation of the provisions of the SEANWFZ Treaty.

Vietnam’s Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son at the meeting.

Speaking at the meeting, Vietnam’s Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son highlighted the role of SEANWFZ Treaty and the importance of the 2018-2022 action plan. He affirmed his support to ASEAN in consultations with countries with nuclear weapons and emphasized the significance of maintaining the goals, principles and integrity of the treaty.

For that reason, the meeting stressed the need to disseminate the treaty on international agendas, especially the United Nations forums with an aim to contribute to the non-proliferation treaty globally. Vietnam was hailed one of active members in this field.

The countries highlighted the role of ASEAN Network of Regulatory Bodies on Atomic Energy (ASEANTOM) and the ASEAN Coordinating Center for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA) in building the Regional Nuclear Emergency Preparedness and Response principle.

The SEANWFZ Commission whose members are ASEAN foreign ministers is responsible for the implementation of the SEANWFZ Treaty, including through the implementation of the SEANWFZ Plans of Action.

The SEANWFZ was signed by the heads of states/governments of all 10 regional states in Bangkok on December 15, 1995 though the notion of the treaty was dated back in early 1970s.

Under the treaty, state parties are obliged not to develop, manufacture or otherwise acquire, possess or have control over nuclear weapons; station nuclear weapons; or test or use nuclear weapons anywhere inside or outside the treaty zone; not to seek or receive any assistance in this; not to take any action to assist or encourage the manufacture or acquisition of any nuclear explosive device by any state; not to provide source or special fissionable materials or equipment to any non-nuclear weapon state (NNWS), or any nuclear weapon states (NWS) unless subject to safeguards agreements with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

The treaty zone covers the territories, continental shelves, and EEZ of the States Parties within the zone.