Press Release
23 March 2014
Minister Nkoana-Mashabane to lead a South African delegation to the Nuclear Security Summit in The Hague
International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane has today, Sunday, 23 March 2014, arrived in the Kingdom of the Netherlands for a working visit.
Minister Nkoana-Mashabane will lead a delegation, which includes Mr Dikobe Ben Martins, Minister of Energy, to the 2014 Nuclear Security Summit (NSS), scheduled for 24-25 March 2014 in The Hague.
Building on the 2010 Washington and 2012 Seoul Summits, the main objective of The Hague Summit is to review progress achieved since the NSS process started in 2010 and to contribute to the strengthening of nuclear security through stronger national measures and improved international co-operation.
South Africa’s participation in the NSS process is informed by the shared vision of a world free of weapons of mass destruction, and in particular nuclear weapons.
The 2014 Nuclear Security Summit takes place within this broader framework of South Africa’s triple objectives of nuclear disarmament, nuclear non-proliferation, and the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
South Africa welcomes the progress that has been made since the first Summit in Washington D.C. to strengthen nuclear security at national levels, and through the relevant multilateral organizations, especially the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
In addressing nuclear security risks, South Africa firmly favours a multilateral approach to promoting nuclear security which upholds the centrality of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the United Nations (UN), and which respects the international rule of law and the principles enshrined in the UN Charter. South Africa believes that through a co-operative approach in the relevant multilateral organisations, these risks can be effectively dealt with.
South Africa is committed to maintaining effective nuclear security of all nuclear and other radioactive material within South Africa, consistent with its national and international obligations, and to cooperating with other States to raise nuclear security levels internationally. South Africa will present a national implementation report during the Summit.
Minister Nkoana-Mashabane will host a BRICS Meeting of Foreign Ministers on Monday, 24 March 2014, prior to the Summit. The Minister will also hold bilateral consultations with her Dutch counterpart, Mr Frans Timmermans, Minister of Foreign Affairs.
For more information, please contact Mr Clayson Monyela, 082 884 5974
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION
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