Australia announced today a contribution of €250 000 (A$450 000)to strengthen nuclear security in Southeast Asia through the IAEA´s Nuclear Security Fund initiative.
The Fund is a voluntary funding mechanism for Member States established to support the IAEA´s activities in nuclear security aimed at preventing, detecting and responding to nuclear terrorism.
"The grant reflects the high priority the Australian Government attaches to the work of the IAEA in this area and also to promoting capacity-building with regional partners," states a press release issued by Australia´s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Anita Nilsson, Director of the IAEA´s Office of Nuclear Security, welcomed the contribution. "The IAEA strongly appreciates Australia´s contribution to the Fund which is a further example of the close cooperation and support from Australia for the Agency´s nuclear security efforts," she said.
"Member States´ support and commitment is crucial to the international effort to prevent, detect and respond to terrorist or other malicious acts with a nuclear dimension."
Australia´s announcement was made as it hosted an International Seminar on Promoting the Security and Safety of Radioactive Materials. The two-day event held in Canberra is organised by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade under the framework of the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism (GICNT), which is led by the USA and Russia.
Some 80 delegates from 21 countries are attending the nuclear security seminar from 7-8 May.
Originally set up in 2002 for a period of three years, the IAEA´s Nuclear Security Fund was extended in September 2005 when the IAEA Board approved a new Nuclear Security Plan covering the period 2006-2009.
Implementation of this plan has been almost wholly dependent on the donation of extra-budgetary contributions by Member States and others. Safety Programmes and the Safeguards Programme include activities that, whilst established to support safeguards and safety objectives, also support the objectives of the nuclear security programme. These programmes are largely funded by the IAEA Regular Budget and supported by other extra-budgetary contributions.
Financial support from the Nuclear Security Fund is used to enhance or accelerate implementation of these activities for nuclear security purposes.