The yearly IAEA Treaty Event was organized during the 58th IAEA General Conference in order to promote universal adhrence to the most important multilateral treaties for which the IAEA Director General is the depositary, notably those relating to nuclear safety and security, as well as to civil liability for nuclear damage.
In his welcoming remarks on 22 September 2014, the IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano recalled that the special focus of this year's Treaty Event was the 2005 Amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM), and stressed that the entry into force of the Amendment was a major piece of unfinished business in international efforts to strengthen nuclear security as well as a priority for the Agency.
Singapore, the Dominican Republic, Ireland and Venezuela were present at the event and deposited treaty instruments with Director General Amano.
Singapore deposited an instrument of accession to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM) and an instrument of acceptance of the 2005 CPPNM Amendment. The Resident Representative of Singapore, Mr. Kok Jwee FOO, expressed the unwavering commitment of Singapore to the Agency's mandate, which was further reflected by these treaty actions. He informed Director General Amano that the Prime Minister of Singapore, H.E. Mr. Lee Hsien Loong, had stated at the third Nuclear Security Summit held in The Hague in March 2014 that his country would accede to the CPPNM, to fulfil its obligations under the Agency's mandate. The Resident Representative of the Dominican Republic, Mr. Ramón Quiñones, then deposited his country's instrument of acceptance of the 2005 CPPNM Amendment, followed by the Resident Representative of Ireland, Ms. Mary Whelan, who deposited Ireland's instrument of ratification of the 2005 Amendment.
Upon accepting these instruments, the Director General noted that the Amendment to the CPPNM is moving closer to its entry into force, a concrete step in strengthening global nuclear security. With these latest treaty actions, the CPPNM now has 151 Parties (150 States and one international organization) and the Amendment to the CPPNM has 82 Contracting States. Adherence to the Amendment by an additional 18 States is still required for its to entry into force.
Finally, the Resident Representative of Venezuela, Mr. Alí de Jesús Uzcátegui Duque, deposited his country's instrument of accession to the Convention on Early Notification of a Nuclear Accident (Early Notification Convention). With the accession by Venezuela, the Early Notification Convention now has 119 States Parties.
Following these treaty actions, representatives from several Member States were briefed on the treaties featured at the Treaty Event.