Hanoi (VNA) – ASEAN member countries onAugust 2 committed to maintaining nuclear weapon-free Southeast Asia andensuring the right to using nuclear energy for peaceful purposes of countries.

The commitments were made at a meeting of the SoutheastAsia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Treaty Commission, which was held via teleconference.

The countries reiterated the significance of thetreaty to regional security, and pledged to further realise the plan of actionto strengthen the implementation of the treaty for 2018-2022.

They also agreed to work harder to urge countriespossessing nuclear weapons to join the treaty, stressing the need to promote itsrole and values, especially at the United Nations, thus contributing to globalefforts in non-proliferation and disarmament of nuclear weapons.

Vietnam, in its capacity as ASEAN Chair 2020, was praisedfor its efforts in completing a memorandum of understanding on activitiesrelating to the treaty.

The meeting acknowledged efforts of ASEAN’sspecialised agencies in promoting technological cooperation, and expandingcollaboration with partner countries and international organisations in ensuringnuclear security and safety and using atomic energy for peaceful purposes.

In his remarks, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui ThanhSon affirmed Vietnam’s support for ASEAN to continue advising countries possessingnuclear weapons to join the treaty.

He emphasised the importance of maintaining thedocument’s targets and principles, and welcomed the building of ASEAN rules on radiologicaland nuclear emergency preparedness and response, considering this a significantcontribution to the ASEAN Shield initiative raised by Brunei as ASEAN Chair 2021to enhance ASEAN’s collective strength to cope with natural disasters./.