Seoul Nuclear Security Summit 2012

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Seoul Communiqué

The Seoul Communiqué builds on the objectives and measures set out in the 2010 Washington Communiqué to identify 11 areas of priority and importance in nuclear security and presents specific actions in each area.

The 11 areas are as follows: the global nuclear security architecture; the role of the IAEA; nuclear materials; radioactive sources; nuclear security and safety; transportation security; combating illicit trafficking; nuclear forensics; nuclear security culture; information security; and international cooperation.

The Seoul Communiqué sets out the following specific actions in the above 11 areas:

ü       Eliminating and disposing of highly enriched uranium (HEU) no longer in use ü       Minimizing the use of HEU -          Encouraging voluntary announcements by the end of 2013 of specific actions to minimize the use of HEU ü       Welcoming international efforts to develop high-density low-enriched uranium (LEU) fuel for the purpose of replacing HEU fuels in research reactors and medical isotope production facilities ü       Seeking to bring the 2005 amended Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Materials (CPPNM) into effect by 2014 ü       Welcoming an international conference in 2013 organized by the IAEA to coordinate nuclear security activities ü       Encouraging voluntary contributions to the IAEA Nuclear Security Fund ü       Developing options for national policies on HEU management within the framework of the IAEA ü       Encouraging national measures and international cooperation to prevent radiological terrorism ü       Strengthening the physical protection of nuclear facilities and enhancing  emergency response capabilities in the case of radiological accidents while comprehensively addressing nuclear security and nuclear safety concerns ü       Strengthening the management of spent nuclear fuels and radioactive wastes ü       Strengthening the protection of nuclear materials and radioactive sources in transport -          Encouraging the establishment of a system to effectively manage and track such materials on a national level ü       Preventing the illicit trafficking of nuclear materials -          Strengthening technical capabilities to search for and detect illicitly trafficked nuclear materials and encouraging the sharing of information on persons involved in such activities by cooperating with the INTERPOL ü       Building nuclear forensics capacity to identify the source of illicitly trafficked nuclear materials ü       Welcoming the establishment of Centers of Excellence for training and education in nuclear security, and supporting networking activities between each Center ü       Strengthening the nuclear security culture -          Encouraging the participation of industry, academia, the media, NGOs and other civil actors in the discussions on nuclear security ü       Strengthening the protection of sensitive nuclear security-related information and enhancing cyber security at nuclear facilities ü       Promoting international cooperation, such as the provision of assistance to countries for the enhancement of national nuclear security capabilities upon request ü       The hosting of the next Nuclear Security Summit in the Netherlands

There are a number of points particularly worthy of note in the Seoul Communiqué. Firstly, it provides important timelines for advancing nuclear security objectives, such as the target year (end of 2013) for states to announce voluntary actions on minimizing the use of HEU and the goal year (2014) for bringing the amended CPPNM into effect. Secondly, it reflects the need to address both the issues of nuclear security and nuclear safety in a coherent manner for the sustainable peaceful uses of nuclear energy. It also emphasizes the need to better secure spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste. Thirdly, it sets out specific measures to prevent radiological terrorism, an issue which was only briefly touched upon at the Washington Summit.