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Philippines's Delegation Led by the Senate President Briefed on Nuclear Law, Technical Cooperation Programme

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The Philippine delegation together with members of the Permanent Mission of the Philippines and the IAEA Office of Legal Affairs.

A high-level delegation led by the President of the Philippine Senate, Aquilino Pimentel III, and comprising members of the Philippine Senate, the Department of Energy, the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute, and the Philippine Permanent Mission to international organizations in Vienna, visited IAEA headquarters on 2 May 2018. The delegation was briefed on nuclear law and on the IAEA’s technical cooperation programme.

The aim of the briefing on nuclear law was to raise awareness among Philippine decision-makers and other stakeholders of the legislative process on the importance of adhering to relevant treaties and conventions in the areas of nuclear safety, security and civil liability for nuclear damage, and of having in place and maintaining comprehensive nuclear legislation. The briefing also provided an opportunity to discuss the specificities of nuclear law of which law-makers need to be aware when considering joining international legal instruments or deciding on changes to national legislation in the nuclear field.

Peri Lynne Johnson, Legal Adviser and Director of the IAEA Office of Legal Affairs, explained: “The IAEA has provided legislative support to the Philippines since 2009. We have reviewed the country’s draft comprehensive nuclear law and conducted awareness missions, national seminars and training. We hope that this visit will further contribute to achieving the country’s goals towards the enhancement of its national legal framework for the safe, secure and peaceful use of nuclear technology”.

Wolfram Tonhauser, Section Head of the Nuclear and Treaty Law Section, provided an overview of the international legal framework for the safe, secure and peaceful use of nuclear energy and ionizing radiation, placing special emphasis on the treaties to which the Philippines is not yet party. The briefing on nuclear law concluded with an overview of the elements of a comprehensive national legal framework for a nuclear power programme.

The delegation met Dazhu Yang, Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Technical Cooperation. He highlighted that the IAEA has been providing support and assistance to the Philippines through its technical cooperation programme in a broad range of areas of nuclear applications, including food and agriculture, health, industrial applications, waste management and the environment. “The Philippines has played an active role in TC regional cooperation,” he added.

The Senate President expressed his appreciation to the Agency for the assistance provided to the Philippines. “Our country has benefitted from the continuing support provided by the Agency through the TC programme,” he said.

The delegation provided Mr Yang with an update on progress in its nuclear power programme. Donato D. Marcos, Undersecretary of the Department of Energy, noted: “We have requested an INIR Mission to be dispatched end of this year.”

The programme, jointly organized by the IAEA and the Philippine Mission in Vienna, also included a tour of the IAEA’s nuclear applications laboratories in Seibersdorf, near Vienna.

Philippine delegation meets with the IAEA Department of Technical Cooperation.

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Last update: 10 May 2018

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