Meeting of the Inter-agency Working Group on Vietnam's Membership of the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency for the 2021–2023 Term

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is an international organisation that plays an important role in the global nuclear non-proliferation regime. Its activities focus on three areas: nuclear technology and applications; nuclear safety and security; and safeguards and verification.

The Board of Governors is the IAEA's policy-making body. Its main functions include: (1) preparing and submitting to the IAEA General Conference for consideration and approval matters relating to the IAEA's staffing, membership, programme, activity reports and budget; (2) approving the Safeguards Agreements and Additional Protocols concluded by the IAEA with States; (3) approving international standards and guidance documents on nuclear safety, security and safeguards; (4) discussing nuclear developments in certain countries, such as Iran, the DPRK, Syria and Israel, and the progress of nuclear safeguards in respect of these countries. At the 65th session (September 2021), Vietnam was elected a member of the IAEA Board of Governors for the 2021–2023 term.

The first meeting of the Inter-agency Working Group on Vietnam's membership of the

Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

To perform its duties as a member of the IAEA Board of Governors effectively, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs proposed to the Prime Minister the establishment of an Inter-agency Working Group comprising representatives of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, National Defence, Public Security, Science and Technology, Health, and Agriculture and Rural Development. The Inter-agency Working Group is tasked with advising the Party and the State on Vietnam's guidelines, policies and major orientations on the issues on the agenda of the IAEA Board of Governors, on ensuring nuclear safety and security, on nuclear emergency response and on international cooperation in the field of atomic energy.

The first meeting of the Inter-agency Working Group focused on the following issues: (1) the issues discussed by the IAEA Board of Governors (nuclear safety and security, applications of nuclear technology, nuclear safeguards, and certain complex emerging issues such as the AUKUS agreement, Iran, Ukraine and the DPRK); (2) Vietnam's activities since becoming a member and its orientations and priorities for the coming period; (3) the areas in which Vietnam should promote cooperation and make use of IAEA support.

Senior Colonel Nguyen Dinh Hien, Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of the Corps, Deputy Head of Standing Office 81, speaking at the meeting.

At the meeting, on behalf of the Ministry of National Defence, Senior Colonel Nguyen Dinh Hien, Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of the Chemical Corps and Deputy Head of Standing Office 81, presented the new functions and tasks of the Ministry of National Defence in its role as the National Focal Point of Vietnam for countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, as well as the activities of the Ministry of National Defence and the Chemical Corps in countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. His presentation proposed that Vietnam's priorities during its term on the IAEA Board of Governors should be to encourage the IAEA to discuss and issue documents on technical, safety and security standards for small nuclear reactors (below 300 MWe) and guidance on procedures for responding to radiological and nuclear incidents at sea, and to promote international cooperation mechanisms on countering the proliferation of nuclear weapons in particular and weapons of mass destruction in general. The presentation also proposed that Vietnam proactively host international events in the radiological and nuclear field during its term on the Board of Governors. In addition, it recommended that ministries and sectors maintain close liaison and establish a mechanism for exchanging information on the proliferation and financing of the proliferation of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction. The contributions of the Ministry of National Defence delegate were acknowledged and highly appreciated.

The meeting concluded by setting out key tasks and implementation measures to help Vietnam fulfil its role during its term on the IAEA Board of Governors, while reaffirming Vietnam's consistent position and determination in countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

Cao Dang Luu