The 3rd International Conference on Nuclear Security (ICONS) commenced on Monday 10 February 2020 at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) HQ in Vienna from 10-14 February 2020.
The conference started off with a ministerial segment whereby respective Ministers committed to strengthening Nuclear Security amid concerns about global threats.
The delegates adopted a Ministerial Declaration to enhance global nuclear security and counter the threat of nuclear terrorism and other malicious acts. In the declaration, IAEA Member States reaffirmed the common goals of nuclear non-proliferation, nuclear disarmament and the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and recognized that nuclear security contributes to international peace and security.
The Fijian delegation is attending the 3rd ICONS and headed by the Ambassador of Fiji to Belgium Deo Saran and accompanied by senior Defence advisor Mr Joji W Dumukuro of the Ministry of Defence and National Security.
The delegation met with the Director Technical Cooperation of the Asia Pacific bureau Ms Jane Gerardo Abaya and held bilateral talks in the peaceful use of nuclear applications in Fiji and the Pacific.
IAEA has affirmed its Sub Regional Approach towards Fiji and the Pacific and has called for proposals for the 2022 - 2023 under its technical cooperation programme. The scope of the programme covers various development sectors in Nutrition, Health, Agriculture, Marine Environment and Radiation safety and industrial applications.
Fiji currently benefits from this technical cooperation assistance since 2016 in the fields of agriculture and environment. With the view to expand the scope of development assistance, IAEA has embarked on future assistance and member States are encouraged to provide national priorities and needs in order to access the technical programme.
IAEA is keen to expand its membership in the Pacific and has sought Fiji's assistance in reaching out to the region to join the IAEA.