At the beginning of February 2015, the international community will discuss a Swiss amendment proposal to improve the Convention on Nuclear Safety (CNS): its aim is to enhance the safety of nuclear power plants throughout the world. The Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate (ENSI) is currently working in close cooperation with the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) and the Swiss Federal Department of Energy (SFOE) to persuade Contracting Parties to amend the CNS.
At the sixth CNS Review Meeting in April 2014, a majority of the Contracting Parties took a basically positive stance on Switzerland’s proposed amendments; they also agreed to convene a Diplomatic Conference to discuss the Swiss amendment proposal. The Diplomatic Conference will take place from 9 to 13 February 2015 in Vienna.
ENSI Director General Hans Wanner comments: “We still have a great deal of lobbying to do before that date”. The recently concluded General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna was therefore used to hold bilateral consultations with Contracting Parties of the Convention.
None of the Contracting Parties openly questions the content of the Swiss proposal, but some still have reservations. The Diplomatic Conference in February 2015 offers an opportunity to find a wording for the text that will suit as many Contracting Parties as possible. Underscoring the importance of the Swiss initiative, Hans Wanner adds: “If the CNS is amended in line with our proposal, the prospects are good for further improvements to the safety of nuclear power plants worldwide”.
Continue reading at Switzerland is lobbying to introduce stricter safety provisions for nuclear power plants throughout the world
