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Showing posts with label United Nations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label United Nations. Show all posts
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Six countries compete for Vietnam’s nuclear power projects
VietNamNet Bridge – The US Ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the United Nations Glyn Davies said that at least six countries want to be chosen as the contractor of Vietnam’s first nuclear power plants. More at:http://english.vietnamnet.vn/en/politics/2504/six-countries-compete-for-vietnam-s-nuclear-power-projects.html
Friday, December 3, 2010
U.S. Sees Greater North Korea Nuclear Threat
By JAY SOLOMON
VIENNA—The Obama administration told the United Nations nuclear watchdog that North Korea likely has built more than one uranium-enrichment facility, significantly raising the proliferation threat posed by the secretive communist state.U.S. and European officials are pressing the International Atomic Energy Agency to better scrutinize Pyongyang's potential role in sharing its nuclear technologies with third countries. But the U.N. agency's ability to monitor Pyongyang is limited: North Korea kicked out the IAEA's inspectors in 2009.http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704377004575650960600657360.html
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Report Reveals N.Korea's Flourishing Arms Trade -- Chosun Ilbo
Image from MSNBCReport Reveals N.Korea's Flourishing Arms Trade -- Chosun Ilbo
North Korea has exported around US$100 million worth of conventional weapons and nuclear weapons technology a year despite UN sanctions, a panel of experts monitoring the implementations of UN Security Council resolutions revealed Wednesday. Their report said that North Korea has been exporting nuclear weapons and missile technology, conventional weapons, parts and materials to Burma, Iran and Syria.
The North Korea dodged the sanctions in ways reminiscent of spy films, switching boats and airplanes, establishing paper companies and forging cargo documents to transport its deadly freight. The 75-page UN report presents evidence directly or indirectly linking North Korea to the arms exports.
Read more ....
More News On North Korea's Flourishing Arms Trade
North Korea Exports $100 Million of Arms Each Year in Breach of Sanctions -- Bloomberg
UN report: North Korea smuggling nuclear material to Iran, Myanmar, Syria -- Asia News
N.Korea 'giving nuclear material to Iran, Syria' -- AFP
U.N. report alleges nuclear aid by N. Korea -- Washington Post
Security Council Gets North Korea Nuke Report -- FOX News
N. Korea linked to covert missile, nuke trade -- Washington Times
U.N. report alleges North Korea exported nuclear technology -- CNN
Climate question & answer service ready for journalists’ questions
AGU Release No. 10–38
10 November 2010
For Immediate Release
WASHINGTON—Climate scientist-members of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) have organized a Climate Q&A Service to provide timely scientific answers to journalists reporting on climate.10 November 2010
For Immediate Release
Approximately 700 Ph.D.-level climate scientists, who represent the diversity of climate science-related disciplines, have volunteered to receive and respond to questions via a shared e-mail in-box. Teams of up to10 scientists at a time have signed up for shifts from Monday to Friday, 8AM–4PM (Pacific Time).
Scientist-volunteers in AGU's Climate Q&A Service will field questions about climate science (not policy) that are e-mailed to questions@agu.emailcenterpro.com, an e-mail box set up specifically for the project. Responses to questions will be returned in a timely fashion with regard for journalists' deadlines. Answers will reflect the responding scientists’ research and views. They do not represent official positions of the AGU, the world's largest organization of Earth and space scientists.
The service is an extended pilot project and will operate from today through at least the third week of January. This project is building off the success of last year's 10-day pilot program that coincided with the UN Climate Conference in Copenhagen. Last year, 54 climate science inquiries were received from 27 media outlets, including Newsweek, National Public Radio, and the UK Sunday Times. This year's extended pilot will run for a significantly longer period and will seek increased visibility and use by journalists. AGU will collect data on requests and responses and solicit feedback from participants in order to evaluate the service.
If you have climate science questions, please e-mail them to questions@agu.emailcenterpro.com. For more information about the service, visit and bookmark the project's mobile-device-friendly website. From there, you can download a free widget for submitting questions to the service, which can be easily embedded on a web page.
AGU is a not-for-profit, professional, scientific organization with more than 58,000 members in over 135 countries. The organization advances the Earth and space sciences through its scholarly publications, conferences, and outreach programs. AGU is accessible on the Web. The Climate Q&A Service email box operates on a platform provided by Palo Alto Software of Eugene, Oregon.
http://www.agu.org/news/press/pr_archives/2010/2010-38.shtml
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Major powers against solving nuclear issue: Ahmadinejad
http://www.spacewar.com/reports/Major_powers_against_solving_nuclear_issue_Ahmadinejad_999.html
Tehran (AFP) Nov 11, 2010 President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said major powers are against solving the controversy surrounding Iran's nuclear programme, state television reported on its website on Thursday. "In the next few days, the dialogue will commence but our experience shows that they are not seeking to solve the issue," Ahmadinejad said, referring to upcoming talks with six countries over Tehran's nuclear drive.
"From our side the issue has already been solved and we will continue our peaceful nuclear activities. The Western countries are arrogant and do not take others into account."
The talks are aimed at allaying Western concerns that Iran's nuclear programme is masking a weapons drive under the guise of a civilian programme, something Tehran denies.
Iran has proposed the talks be held in Istanbul on November 23 or December 5. Britain, China, France, Russia, the United States and Germany agree on Istanbul, but have proposed a date of November 15.
The final date is yet to be fixed.
Ahmadinejad questioned again the mandate of the six powers.
"What is the basis of this group and based on which law it was formed," he asked.
"If it consists of the five UN Security Council members, then what is Germany doing here? We welcome Germany's presence, but then we say that for the reason Germany is in the talks, others should also be in."
Iran has previously said that allies Brazil and Turkey be involved in these talks.
Ahmadinejad also accused the UN atomic watchdog of "giving information" to Iran's arch-foe, the United States.
"Accepting the additional protocol means that all our nuclear activities must be under the supervision of the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency), which gives information to America," he said.
In February 2006, Iran ceased to apply the additional protocol of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which calls for tougher inspections of nuclear activities of member countries.
On Monday, IAEA chief Yukiya Amano told the UN General Assembly "Iran has not provided the necessary cooperation to permit the agency to confirm that all nuclear material in Iran is in peaceful activities."
Iran must carry out "full implementation" of IAEA and UN Security Council resolutions, he said.
Iran's deputy ambassador to the UN, Eshagh al-Habib, hit back, saying Amano's claim was "incorrect and misleading."
He called the UN Security Council sanction resolutions "illegal."
Iran is under four sets of UN sanctions for refusing to abandon its uranium enrichment programme, the most controversial part of its nuclear activities.
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Tehran (AFP) Nov 11, 2010 President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said major powers are against solving the controversy surrounding Iran's nuclear programme, state television reported on its website on Thursday. "In the next few days, the dialogue will commence but our experience shows that they are not seeking to solve the issue," Ahmadinejad said, referring to upcoming talks with six countries over Tehran's nuclear drive.
"From our side the issue has already been solved and we will continue our peaceful nuclear activities. The Western countries are arrogant and do not take others into account."
The talks are aimed at allaying Western concerns that Iran's nuclear programme is masking a weapons drive under the guise of a civilian programme, something Tehran denies.
Iran has proposed the talks be held in Istanbul on November 23 or December 5. Britain, China, France, Russia, the United States and Germany agree on Istanbul, but have proposed a date of November 15.
The final date is yet to be fixed.
Ahmadinejad questioned again the mandate of the six powers.
"What is the basis of this group and based on which law it was formed," he asked.
"If it consists of the five UN Security Council members, then what is Germany doing here? We welcome Germany's presence, but then we say that for the reason Germany is in the talks, others should also be in."
Iran has previously said that allies Brazil and Turkey be involved in these talks.
Ahmadinejad also accused the UN atomic watchdog of "giving information" to Iran's arch-foe, the United States.
"Accepting the additional protocol means that all our nuclear activities must be under the supervision of the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency), which gives information to America," he said.
In February 2006, Iran ceased to apply the additional protocol of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which calls for tougher inspections of nuclear activities of member countries.
On Monday, IAEA chief Yukiya Amano told the UN General Assembly "Iran has not provided the necessary cooperation to permit the agency to confirm that all nuclear material in Iran is in peaceful activities."
Iran must carry out "full implementation" of IAEA and UN Security Council resolutions, he said.
Iran's deputy ambassador to the UN, Eshagh al-Habib, hit back, saying Amano's claim was "incorrect and misleading."
He called the UN Security Council sanction resolutions "illegal."
Iran is under four sets of UN sanctions for refusing to abandon its uranium enrichment programme, the most controversial part of its nuclear activities.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
North Korea gets lowest grade on 'nuclear arms report card'
North Korea got a failing grade, with Iran and Syria not far behind, in the first nuclear arms control report card released Wednesday by the independent US-based Arms Control Association (ACA). "North Korea, which has violated nearly every non-proliferation and disarmament standard over the past two years, warrants an overall grade of 'F'," ACA executive director Daryl Kimball told reporters.
North Korea failed all but three of the 10 equally-weighted categories used to calculate the overall grade.
In the three areas that Pyongyang didn't fail -- reducing nuclear weapons alert levels, meeting multilateral nuclear security commitments, and honoring commitments to prevent nuclear terrorism and the trafficking of nuclear material -- it got a "D", one step up from failure.
Iran and Syria, which don't have nuclear arms but which are being investigated by international bodies for suspected nuclear weapons activities, failed to meet safeguard standards covering all nuclear activities, including peaceful ones, set by the UN International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
They also fell short on basic nuclear export controls, each earning a grade of "D."http://www.spacewar.com/reports/North_Korea_gets_lowest_grade_on_nuclear_arms_report_card_999.html
North Korea failed all but three of the 10 equally-weighted categories used to calculate the overall grade.
In the three areas that Pyongyang didn't fail -- reducing nuclear weapons alert levels, meeting multilateral nuclear security commitments, and honoring commitments to prevent nuclear terrorism and the trafficking of nuclear material -- it got a "D", one step up from failure.
Iran and Syria, which don't have nuclear arms but which are being investigated by international bodies for suspected nuclear weapons activities, failed to meet safeguard standards covering all nuclear activities, including peaceful ones, set by the UN International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
They also fell short on basic nuclear export controls, each earning a grade of "D."http://www.spacewar.com/reports/North_Korea_gets_lowest_grade_on_nuclear_arms_report_card_999.html
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
N.Korea restores facilities at nuclear reactor: S.Korea
North Korea is restoring facilities at its Yongbyon nuclear reactor, the source of weapons-grade plutonium in the past, South Korea's defence ministry said Tuesday. "North Korea is restoring nuclear facilities and continuing maintenance activities at Yongbyon," a spokesman quoted Defence Minister Kim Tae-Young as telling parliament on Monday. "It is engaged in new construction and large-scale excavation."
The foreign ministry said the South is closely monitoring the work.
"There are some activities going on but we have no information on what these are for," said spokesman Kim Young-Sun. "The government is watching closely the activities there and exchanging information with other countries."
An unidentified government official was quoted by Dong-A Ilbo newspaper as saying that two rectangular buildings were being built next to the site of a cooling tower demolished in 2008.
A private US research institute reported last week that new construction or excavation was under way at Yongbyon.
The Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS) said tracks made by heavy machinery along with construction or excavation equipment were visible in satellite photos.
ISIS said there appeared to be ongoing construction of two small buildings next to the former tower, which the North blew up in June 2008 in front of foreign media to dramatise its commitment to nuclear disarmament.
The institute said the purpose of the work is unclear but bears watching.
The North's current plutonium stockpile is believed to be enough for six to eight bombs.
North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Pak Kil-Yon told the United Nations last week his country must strengthen its nuclear deterrent in the face of what he called threats from the United States.
The North shut down Yongbyon in July 2007 under a six-nation aid-for-disarmament accord. The following summer it destroyed the tower.
But six-party talks became bogged down in December 2008 over ways to verify the North's denuclearisation. In April 2009 Pyongyang abandoned the talks and said it had resumed reprocessing spent fuel rods to make plutonium.
In May 2009 it conducted an atomic weapons test, its second.
The North has indicated willingness in principle to return to the six-party forum chaired by its ally China. But it says it wants separate talks with the United States about signing a permanent peace treaty on the peninsula.
South Korea and the United States, which accuse the North of a deadly March attack on a South Korean warship, have responded warily. Japan and Russia are also members of the forum.
The foreign ministry said the South is closely monitoring the work.
"There are some activities going on but we have no information on what these are for," said spokesman Kim Young-Sun. "The government is watching closely the activities there and exchanging information with other countries."
An unidentified government official was quoted by Dong-A Ilbo newspaper as saying that two rectangular buildings were being built next to the site of a cooling tower demolished in 2008.
A private US research institute reported last week that new construction or excavation was under way at Yongbyon.
The Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS) said tracks made by heavy machinery along with construction or excavation equipment were visible in satellite photos.
ISIS said there appeared to be ongoing construction of two small buildings next to the former tower, which the North blew up in June 2008 in front of foreign media to dramatise its commitment to nuclear disarmament.
The institute said the purpose of the work is unclear but bears watching.
The North's current plutonium stockpile is believed to be enough for six to eight bombs.
North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Pak Kil-Yon told the United Nations last week his country must strengthen its nuclear deterrent in the face of what he called threats from the United States.
The North shut down Yongbyon in July 2007 under a six-nation aid-for-disarmament accord. The following summer it destroyed the tower.
But six-party talks became bogged down in December 2008 over ways to verify the North's denuclearisation. In April 2009 Pyongyang abandoned the talks and said it had resumed reprocessing spent fuel rods to make plutonium.
In May 2009 it conducted an atomic weapons test, its second.
The North has indicated willingness in principle to return to the six-party forum chaired by its ally China. But it says it wants separate talks with the United States about signing a permanent peace treaty on the peninsula.
South Korea and the United States, which accuse the North of a deadly March attack on a South Korean warship, have responded warily. Japan and Russia are also members of the forum.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Russia prohibiting weapons sales to Iran
Image: S-300 surface-to-air missiles. Photo from Radio Free EuropeRussia Prohibiting Weapons Sales To Iran -- CNN
Moscow, Russia (CNN) -- Russia blocked weapons sales to Iran on Wednesday because of U.N. sanctions against the Islamic republic.
President Dmitry Medvedev signed a decree that prohibits "the transit across Russia, including by air, the removal from Russia to Iran, and the transfer to Iran outside Russia of any combat tanks, armored personnel carriers, large-caliber artillery systems, warplanes, attack helicopters, military vessels, missiles or missile systems as defined by the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, S-300 surface-to-air missile systems, or materiel and spare parts used for all of the above."
The decree was published on the Kremlin website.
Read more ....
More News On Russia Canceling It's S-300 Missile Sale To Iran
Russia's Medvedev Bans Arms Sales to Iran in Compliance With UN Sanctions -- Bloomberg
Russia rules out supplying missiles to Iran -- The Telegraph
Kremlin bans sale of S-300 missile systems to Iran -- BBC
Russia Drops Plans for Iran Missile Deal -- Voice of America
Russia bans sales of anti-aircraft systems to Iran -- AP
Russia bans delivery of S-300 missiles to Iran -- Reuters
IAEA Expertise Supports Millennium Development Goals Achieving International Development Objectives through Technical Cooperation IAEA General Conference
Image via Wikipedia21 September 2010
Through an IAEA technical co-operation project, Latin American nutrition scientists are using isotopes and nuclear analytical techniques to evaluate how well food sustains the body´s health and growth. (Photo: IAEA)
- Story Resources
- IAEA General Conference
- IAEA Department of Technical Cooperation
Sustainable socioeconomic development is the IAEA´s Technical Cooperation Programme´s strategic goal. It is realized through partnerships with lead organizations in a specific sectors, such as the UN´s Food and Agriculture Organization or the World Health Organization.
The IAEA, a science-based organization, contributes towards these internationally recognized development priorities´ achievement.
Working closely with research organizations and civil society at national and international levels, the IAEA´s Technical Cooperation Projects benefit national socioeconomic development. A direct link is established with national and international development priorities from project design through to delivery.
Several of the IAEA´s core competencies support progress towards the MDG milestones. For example, the many TC projects on mutation breeding, application of the sterile insect technique and improved livestock breeding help eradicate extreme poverty and hunger. Innovative contributions from nuclear science and technology, in particular radiation medicine and isotope techniques, are successfully applied in helping reduce the mortality rate for children under the age of five, improve maternal health, combat the spread of HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases, ensure environmental sustainability, while the IAEA engages in global partnerships for development to address the special needs of the least developed countries, landlocked countries and small island developing states, and make available the benefits of new technologies.
Follow this link to find more information on the IAEA´s Technical Cooperation Projects that support the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals in poverty eradication, child and maternal health, combating HIV/AIDS and environmental sustainability.
See Story Resources for more information.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Tougher Nuclear Inspections Allowed in 102 Nations
The International Atomic Energy Agency is now authorized to conduct heightened nuclear oversight of 102 nations, the United Nations announced today (see GSN, Jan. 5, 2009).
The Additional Protocol to the IAEA safeguards agreements with Rwanda and Swaziland have entered into force.
The U.N. nuclear watchdog's 35-nation governing board established the Additional Protocol in 1997 to increase the "effectiveness and efficiency" of IAEA inspections, according to a U.N. press release. By joining the arrangement, signatory nations agree to grant the agency additional data on their atomic activities and to allow audits of their nuclear facilities with little notice.
The Additional Protocol is an “essential tool for the agency to be able to provide credible assurance, not only that declared nuclear material is not being diverted from peaceful uses, but also that there are no undeclared nuclear material and activities in states with comprehensive safeguards agreements," IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano said in a statement to his organization's General Conference.
The 18 nations outside the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty should promptly enter the pact, Amano added (U.N. release, Sept. 20).
The Additional Protocol to the IAEA safeguards agreements with Rwanda and Swaziland have entered into force.
The U.N. nuclear watchdog's 35-nation governing board established the Additional Protocol in 1997 to increase the "effectiveness and efficiency" of IAEA inspections, according to a U.N. press release. By joining the arrangement, signatory nations agree to grant the agency additional data on their atomic activities and to allow audits of their nuclear facilities with little notice.
The Additional Protocol is an “essential tool for the agency to be able to provide credible assurance, not only that declared nuclear material is not being diverted from peaceful uses, but also that there are no undeclared nuclear material and activities in states with comprehensive safeguards agreements," IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano said in a statement to his organization's General Conference.
The 18 nations outside the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty should promptly enter the pact, Amano added (U.N. release, Sept. 20).
UN atomic watchdog sees 'new era' in nuclear energy
Image via WikipediaUN atomic watchdog sees 'new era' in nuclear energy  |
Some 60 countries were currently considering launching nuclear energy programmes, Amano said.
"We expect between 10 and 25 new countries to bring their first nuclear power plants on line by 2030," he said.
The growing importance of nuclear energy had had a significant impact on the IAEA's work, Amano continued.
"While it is up to member states to decide whether or not to opt for muclear power, the agency has a key role to play in ensuring that the expansion in nuclear power takes place in an efficient, responsible and sustainable manner."
It was the IAEA's job to help countries put the appropri
more
Monday, September 20, 2010
China attaches great importance to nuclear safety: diplomat
China attaches great importance to nuclear safety: diplomat
VIENNA, Sept. 14 (Xinhua)-- China is willing to increase cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and its member states in nuclear safety, to ensure safe and reliable construction and operation of all nuclear power plants, a Chinese diplomat said Tuesday.
Hu Xiaodi, China's permanent representative and ambassador to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Vienna, made the comments as during an afternoon session of the IAEA directors' meeting on nuclear safety.Full story
China reaffirms commitments to nuclear security at IAEA meeting
VIENNA, Sept.14 (Xinhua) -- China remains committed to strengthening international cooperation against nuclear terrorism and promoting nuclear safety, a Chinese diplomat told the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) directors meeting here Tuesday.
Hu Xiaodi, China's permanent representative and ambassador to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Vienna, said that the Chinese government always pays great attention to security issues on nuclear materials and facilities and positively participate in various activities on nuclear security led by the IAEA.
At the Nuclear Security Summit in April, Chinese President Hu Jintao raised five points of proposals on stepping up international cooperation on meeting nuclear security challenges, he said.
In August, China Atomic Energy Authority (CAEA) and the IAEA signed a practical arrangement in the field of nuclear security in Beijing, which played a significant role in effectively achieving China' s commitments to nuclear security and strengthening cooperation with the agency on nuclear security, the diplomat added.
He said China has joined the agency's Illicit Trafficking Database (ITDB) program and constantly improved the management and access control of its domestic radioactive source in the light of the Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources and supplementary Guidance on the Import and Export of Radioactive Sources.
He also pointed out that the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material and its amendment is an important international instrument to promote international nuclear non-proliferation and nuclear security.
China submitted the ratification of the Amendment to the convention in September last year, becoming the second country with nuclear weapons to ratify the convention following Russia, the diplomat went on.
China also called for more countries to take positive action to ratify the convention so that it enters into force as soon as possible, he added.
The diplomat also noted that this year is the first year for the implementation of the IAEA' s Nuclear Security Plan for 2010-2013 and the IAEA has done a great deal of work in the aspects of promoting the implementation of international legal documents, helping the member states to establish and improve their nuclear security regulations system, infrastructure and capability-building.
In addition, he said China appreciated the help offered the agency to the member states in strengthening border controls, the return of highly enriched uranium used for nuclear reactors, as well as the recycling of radioactive materials. http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/china/2010-09/14/c_13494930.htm
Hu Xiaodi, China's permanent representative and ambassador to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Vienna, said that the Chinese government always pays great attention to security issues on nuclear materials and facilities and positively participate in various activities on nuclear security led by the IAEA.
At the Nuclear Security Summit in April, Chinese President Hu Jintao raised five points of proposals on stepping up international cooperation on meeting nuclear security challenges, he said.
In August, China Atomic Energy Authority (CAEA) and the IAEA signed a practical arrangement in the field of nuclear security in Beijing, which played a significant role in effectively achieving China' s commitments to nuclear security and strengthening cooperation with the agency on nuclear security, the diplomat added.
He said China has joined the agency's Illicit Trafficking Database (ITDB) program and constantly improved the management and access control of its domestic radioactive source in the light of the Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources and supplementary Guidance on the Import and Export of Radioactive Sources.
He also pointed out that the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material and its amendment is an important international instrument to promote international nuclear non-proliferation and nuclear security.
China submitted the ratification of the Amendment to the convention in September last year, becoming the second country with nuclear weapons to ratify the convention following Russia, the diplomat went on.
China also called for more countries to take positive action to ratify the convention so that it enters into force as soon as possible, he added.
The diplomat also noted that this year is the first year for the implementation of the IAEA' s Nuclear Security Plan for 2010-2013 and the IAEA has done a great deal of work in the aspects of promoting the implementation of international legal documents, helping the member states to establish and improve their nuclear security regulations system, infrastructure and capability-building.
In addition, he said China appreciated the help offered the agency to the member states in strengthening border controls, the return of highly enriched uranium used for nuclear reactors, as well as the recycling of radioactive materials. http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/china/2010-09/14/c_13494930.htm
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Nuclear Issues To Be Featured In Obama UN Speech
The spread of nuclear weapons is expected to be one of the main issues U.S. President Barack Obama addresses when he speaks to the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday (September 23).
When President Obama takes his turn speaking to the United Nations, many of the topics he covers will be familiar, according to White House press secretary Robert Gibbs.
He said Friday nuclear proliferation will be high on the list. "Many of the issues that we talked about last year at the United Nations remain on the docket-concern about Iran, concern about North Korea," he said.
In his 2009 U.N. address, Mr. Obama put Iran and North Korea on notice for their nuclear activities. "But if the governments of Iran and North Korea choose to ignore international standards; if they put the pursuit of nuclear weapons ahead of regional stability and the security and opportunity of their own people; if they are oblivious to the dangers of escalating nuclear arms races in both East Asia and the Middle East, then they must be held accountable," he said.
In the year that followed, there were no public signs that North Korea was ready to return to the six-party talks on its nuclear program. Pyongyang walked away from those talks in April, 2009.
The United Nations imposed a fourth set of sanctions on Iran in June for refusing to stop enriching uranium. The U.S. accuses Iran of consistently violating U.N. sanctions.
The U.S. has made greater progress in the past year in working with Russia to shrink the two former Cold War rivals' nuclear arsenals, one of the main points in the president's U.N. speech last year. "We will pursue a new agreement with Russia to substantially reduce our strategic warheads and launchers," he said.
Mr. Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed the New START treaty last April in Prague. The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved the treaty on Thursday. The agreement still requires ratification from the full Senate and the Russian Duma.
Robert Gibbs said Friday this treaty will also figure prominently in Mr. Obama's U.N. address. "We go having made progress yesterday on a START treaty that we still believe that the Senate will ratify before the end of the year and mark an important accomplishment on both nations' path towards reducing our stockpile of nuclear weapons," he said.
As the president pledged last year, his administration has also completed a new Nuclear Posture Review and hosted a summit on securing nuclear material, so-called loose nukes. But the U.S. Senate has not ratified the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.
http://www.voanews.com/english/news/Nuclear-Issues-To-Be-Featured-In-Obama-UN-Speech-103210594.html
When President Obama takes his turn speaking to the United Nations, many of the topics he covers will be familiar, according to White House press secretary Robert Gibbs.
He said Friday nuclear proliferation will be high on the list. "Many of the issues that we talked about last year at the United Nations remain on the docket-concern about Iran, concern about North Korea," he said.
In his 2009 U.N. address, Mr. Obama put Iran and North Korea on notice for their nuclear activities. "But if the governments of Iran and North Korea choose to ignore international standards; if they put the pursuit of nuclear weapons ahead of regional stability and the security and opportunity of their own people; if they are oblivious to the dangers of escalating nuclear arms races in both East Asia and the Middle East, then they must be held accountable," he said.
In the year that followed, there were no public signs that North Korea was ready to return to the six-party talks on its nuclear program. Pyongyang walked away from those talks in April, 2009.
The United Nations imposed a fourth set of sanctions on Iran in June for refusing to stop enriching uranium. The U.S. accuses Iran of consistently violating U.N. sanctions.
The U.S. has made greater progress in the past year in working with Russia to shrink the two former Cold War rivals' nuclear arsenals, one of the main points in the president's U.N. speech last year. "We will pursue a new agreement with Russia to substantially reduce our strategic warheads and launchers," he said.
Mr. Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed the New START treaty last April in Prague. The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved the treaty on Thursday. The agreement still requires ratification from the full Senate and the Russian Duma.
Robert Gibbs said Friday this treaty will also figure prominently in Mr. Obama's U.N. address. "We go having made progress yesterday on a START treaty that we still believe that the Senate will ratify before the end of the year and mark an important accomplishment on both nations' path towards reducing our stockpile of nuclear weapons," he said.
As the president pledged last year, his administration has also completed a new Nuclear Posture Review and hosted a summit on securing nuclear material, so-called loose nukes. But the U.S. Senate has not ratified the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.
http://www.voanews.com/english/news/Nuclear-Issues-To-Be-Featured-In-Obama-UN-Speech-103210594.html
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
UN official lauds China for climate change role
The United Nations' climate chief has hailed China's efforts to improve the prospects of a climate summit in Mexico later this year by hosting a crucial round of talks in Tianjin next month.
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| Christiana Figueres, the executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). |
"Hosting the negotiations in Tianjin, the last formal stop before Cancun is an important gesture by China," Christiana Figueres, the executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), told China Daily.
Figueres, who was appointed to the post in May, finalized preparations for the Oct 4-9 meeting in the northern port city of Tianjin during a visit to Beijing last week.
Vice-Premier Li Keqiang said China would work with other countries and the UN to push sustainable development when he met Figueres on Friday.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Policy Responses to Global Warming
Image via WikipediaPolicy Responses to Global Warming
(July 2010)
- The human enhancement of global warming is seen as a worldwide problem and policy responses have accordingly had an international basis.
- The principal focus has been on reducing carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions.
- Arguably, nuclear power is the single most significant means of limiting the increase in greenhouse gas concentrations while enabling access to abundant electricity.
The principal forum for international climate change action has been the United Nations, which has led to the Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Kyoto Protocol. However, more recently other international approaches have been put in place, the Asia Pacific Partnership and agreements under the G8, starting with their 2005 meeting in Gleneagles, UK.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Iran hampering nuclear investigation: IAEA
Image via WikipediaIran hampering nuclear investigation: IAEAVienna (AFP) Sept 6, 2010 - Iran is hampering a long-running investigation into its controversial nuclear drive by vetoing the nomination of certain United Nations inspectors, the UN atomic watchdog said Monday. The International Atomic Energy Agency also said that a number of its seals had been broken on equipment at Iran's main uranium enrichment plant in Natanz. In a new restricted report, a copy of which was ob ... more
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