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Participants at the meeting resolved to further the region’s nuclear goals in terms of both non-proliferation and peaceful applications, to further assist the medical, agricultural and energy sectors.

The Japan-led FNCA is a regional network of 12 countries that develops and promotes peaceful uses of nuclear technology in the Asia-Pacific.

Ministers and high level Government officials from the member countries of the FNCA attended the event in Sydney’s Circular Quay.

Each member – Australia, Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Mongolia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam – reported about developments in their area.

Significantly, there were also commitments to continue knowledge sharing, and regional work in terms of human resources capacity building and succession planning.

A highlight for Australia was its hosting of a forum for the application of multi-purpose research reactors, which was led by Dr Greg Storr from the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO).

ANSTO is the home of Australia’s nuclear expertise, and houses the nation’s only nuclear research reactor, OPAL, on its Southern Sydney campus. It is Australia’s link to a range of international bodies promoting the peaceful uses of nuclear technology, including the FNCA.

“Meetings such as this one in Australia ensure that nuclear technology can form the backbone of ventures which benefit the whole region,” said ANSTO’s CEO, Dr Adi Paterson.

“It is wonderful that the countries in attendance are very much on the same page when it comes to working towards shared goals in nuclear non-proliferation and the peaceful usage.

“What this means is we can therefore work together on a regional basis to deliver the potential from peaceful nuclear programs – including in areas such as medicine creation, energy production, and science.

“It also has direct benefits for industries as diverse as agriculture, silicon irradiation and medicine manufacture and distribution.”