Message from Dr Robert Floyd, APSN Chair
The Asia-Pacific Safeguards Network (APSN) is an important initiative of the
Asia-Pacific region that reflects the commitment of the community of safeguards authorities in the region to the peaceful uses of nuclear energy underpinned by effective safeguards implementation.
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APSN aims to promote good practices in safeguards implementation through high professional standards and a strong non-proliferation/safeguards culture.
APSN is an informal professional network of government and
government-affiliated organisations in the Asia-Pacific with responsibility for safeguards implementation or development. This approach, rather than one of a formal inter-governmental association, was taken in order to foster a focus on sharing experiences of professional and practical significance. APSN is not a decision-making forum or a regional regulatory body. The development of APSN was influenced, in part, by the model of ESARDA (European Safeguards Research and Development Association).
Given the growing interest in nuclear energy in the Asia-Pacific region, APSN encourages the implementation of strong safeguards at all stages of nuclear fuel cycle. To this end, APSN aims to strengthen the quality, effectiveness and efficiency of safeguards implementation in the region, working closely with the IAEA, through activities such as training, professional development and sharing of experience. I note that the IAEA has identified the professionalism and capabilities of national safeguards authorities as a key factor in effective and efficient safeguards implementation. APSN has no inspection or regulatory functions, so will not duplicate or replace the work of the IAEA or national safeguards authorities.
In addition, APSN has established working groups to facilitate the cooperation of members on matters such as safeguards infrastructure development, implementation and awareness raising; capacity building; IT support; communications and information; safeguards legislation; and an informal group on nuclear security synergies with safeguards. The APSN website is established as an effective channel for communication on safeguards matters and a repository of information on safeguards training course and activities. APSN has recently completed work on two important projects in 2012; the ‘Fundamentals and Good Practices of Safeguards Regulatory Authorities’ paper, and the project on ‘APSN Training Needs Survey’. These projects assist APSN to chart its path forward to supporting safeguards development and implementation in the Asia-Pacific region, and to establish a baseline of available training capabilities.
Taken together, the success of APSN has been a shared effort – to create a strong network to facilitate cooperation in areas such as training, professional development and sharing experiences, particularly in collaboration with the IAEA and other newly established regional support centres that will foster nuclear non-proliferation and nuclear security culture in the Asia-Pacific region
Kind regards
Dr Robert Floyd
Chair APSN
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What is International Safeguards?
The Treaty on the Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) requires its signatories to implement safeguards to ensure that nuclear technology is only used for peaceful purposes.
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International safeguards is a set of confidence-building measures by which the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) seeks to verify that Member States are living up to their nonproliferation obligations; that non-nuclear weapons states do not divert nuclear programs to non-peaceful uses and nuclear weapons states do not assist non-nuclear weapons states in acquiring nuclear weapons or explosive devices. The IAEA achieves this objective through the implementation of safeguards agreements, which provide the legal context for the application of international safeguards within the Member State. Today, more than 145 States entered into such agreements with the IAEA, submitting nuclear materials and facilities to the scrutiny of IAEA inspectors.
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The Challenge
Considerable human and technological capacity is required on part of State safeguards authorities to be able to effectively implement their safeguards obligations.
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To address this challenge, APSN will provide a mechanism for improving the quality, effectiveness and efficiency of safeguards in the region by sharing information, conducting virtual discussions and sponsoring training workshops on international safeguards topics for APSN Member States. These activities are designed to support establishment of sustainable and autonomous national and regional nuclear safeguards activities.
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APSN Survey: Report of Findings
In effort to prioritize its activities, APSN carried out two surveys to obtain a better understanding of safeguards needs in the region and to establish a baseline of available training capabilities.
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The Safeguards Needs Survey was designed to identify all training needs of APSN member states including those of immediate priority. The Training Providers Survey was designed to determine available resources and interest to meet those needs. Together, the surveys enable APSN to optimize available training resources and ensure that the highest priority training needs are met. For findings from the surveys, please refer to
APSN Survey: Report of Findings
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