Qatar calls for enhanced nuclear security measures

Qatar has emphasised the importance of supporting the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and providing it with the necessary resources so that it can help countries establish and improve their systems for effective and sustainable nuclear security.

This came in a speech delivered by HE Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Qatar to the UN and international organisations in Vienna Jassim Yacoub al-Hammadi, before the International Conference on Nuclear Security (ICONS), which concluded in Vienna.

He said that although the full responsibility for nuclear security lies with the state itself, all countries must provide measures for nuclear security within the framework of their policies related to the use of nuclear energy and other technologies with radioactive sources. These policies must be advanced and prepared to address the new challenges posed by the progress in nuclear technologies and their applications.

His Excellency added that there is no doubt that great progress has been made in the field of nuclear security in recent years, but there is still a lot of work that needs to be done to spread and enhance nuclear security techniques and culture on a large scale and to address the risks of cyberattacks on nuclear facilities in light of the rapid technical developments and the challenges that the use of artificial intelligence techniques could pose to nuclear security in nuclear facilities.

He said that the ICONS is being held in an international environment characterised by tension, worsening power politics, and while witnessing a nuclear arms race, which requires, in parallel with efforts to enhance nuclear security and safety, taking concrete steps toward the goal of nuclear disarmament in accordance with our joint obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and the rest of the relevant international instruments.

In the speech, Qatar emphasised that nuclear security constitutes an important element in the international peace and security system and affects and influences the rest of the elements, most notably commitment to international treaties in the field of non-proliferation and nuclear disarmament.

Qatar voiced its hope that the interconnection between nuclear security, peace, and international security would be directed to ensuring the achievement of the goal of nuclear disarmament and that it would be present in relevant future discussions and plans.

Qatar also indicated that nuclear security is not only about preventing nuclear terrorism, especially after the international community has achieved concrete and effective steps in this direction, but it is also about providing clean energy and peaceful applications in the fields of medicine, food and development in its broader field.