A lecture on “Nuclear Security, Safety, Security Assurances, and the Lessons Learned” was organized by the Council at its headquarters’ on March 31st, 2019. Dr.Yousri Abu Shadi, member of the Council and former inspector at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) spoke during this lecture, and Dr. Sayed Bahey El-Din Abdel-Hamid, member of the Council, former Chairman of the Nuclear Power Plants Authority (NPPA), and former Adviser to the Minister of Electricity, spoke as well during this lecture. The lecture was moderated by Ambassador Dr.Mounir Zahran. The meeting was also attended by a number of ambassadors, experts and academics from among the Council’s members, namely: Ambassador Ahmed Hajjaj, Ambassador Mohamed Mounir, Ambassador Ahmed El Ghamrawy, Ambassadress Hajar El Islambouly, Ambassador Dr.Mohamed Wafik, and others.
The proceedings of the lecture commenced by emphasizing nuclear security, safety and security assurances as being three axes that are key to the 2020 NPT Review Conference.
Dr. Yousri Abo Shadi referred to several nuclear accidents and the measures taken by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to prevent them, particularly after the Chernobyl and Fukushima nuclear accidents. Moreover, he highlighted the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) that was distinguished by having guaranteed the right to transfer nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. But on the other hand, lacked a time limit to eliminate weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), lacked the implementation tool, in addition to the right of any state to withdraw from the treaty in case of viewing any threat in this treaty to its national security, and being influenced by the policies of the major powers towards a number of States, as was done in the reports issued by the Agency on the possible possession of nuclear reactors by Iraq and Syria, notwithstanding that these reports were later found to be untrue.
Regarding nuclear culture, there was an intervention by Dr. Sayed Bahey El-Din explaining the evolution of the nuclear security term after 2005 to include nuclear and radioactive materials. He also proceeded towards highlighting the Dabaa reactor that has an advanced technology to achieve maximum safety and an ability to combat any threats to the reactor as manifested in its design as well as in its proximity to the sea for the purpose of cooling and avoiding any temperature related reactor accidents.
