THE ASEAN REGIONAL ROUNDTABLE ON “ACHIEVING A SAFE AND SUSTAINABLE NUCLEAR FUTURE”, MONDAY, 2 MARCH 2009, TRADERS HOTEL
The Energy Studies Institute (ESI) hosted the first ASEAN Regional Roundtable on “Achieving a Safe and Sustainable Nuclear Future” on Monday 2nd March 2009, at the Traders Hotel, Singapore. The Regional Roundtable brought together well-known international nuclear experts from the US, Europe and Latin America and senior officials, regulators and academics from ASEAN countries to exchange views on issues related to the safe and sustainable use of nuclear energy, including nuclear power systems, fuel cycles, waste management, nuclear safety, regulatory approaches and international and regional cooperation in nuclear power.
The experts hailed from the US, Europe and Latin America shared key learning points from their decades of experience and expertise in their capacity as scientists, regulators and academics. The four morning briefing sessions covered not only informative details but created a highly interactive dialogue and sharing session in the afternoon. About 70 delegates were present at the roundtable of which some 30 came from overseas.
Growing energy demand and concerns over climate change have made nuclear energy an increasingly attractive alternative to traditional sources of energy. ESI believes that it is timely to promote greater regional dialogue to address the challenges faced in the pursuit of civilian nuclear energy. Says Mr Khoo Chin Hean, Executive Director of ESI, “The question regarding nuclear is not whether nuclear energy can be used. The question should be how nuclear energy can be harnessed safely.” Mr Khoo felt that the two issues to scrutinise would be one, ensuring that the design of a nuclear facility is safe. And two,ensuring the people who have to maintain and operate the nuclear facility will continue to carry out their tasks over time in a manner that preserves the integrity of the design.
It is hoped that the open platform of roundtable discussions has enabled all interested parties to dialogue on major related issues of a safe and sustainable nuclear future for all. Professor Carlo Arcilla, Director of the National Institute of Geological Sciences at the University of Philippines was glad to have attended the Roundtable. He said “The Philippines will run out of power in about two years and electricity costs there are already the highest in Asia – about 10 to 15 percent of our income. So we need to really look at nuclear energy as an alternative.”
ESI will be pleased to co-host follow-up discussions with interested think tanks and research institutions from ASEAN countries and look forward to the next ASEAN Regional Roundtable.
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Brief
Program Schedule