The 5th Annual Meeting of Asia-Pacific Safeguards Network (APSN)

The fifth plenary meeting of the Asia-Pacific Safeguards Network (APSN) was held on 3-4 September 2014 in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar. The meeting was attended by 28 representatives from 11 countries, including representatives from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as observers. APSN’s five working groups held meetings 1-3 September 2014 in Nay Pyi Taw prior to the plenary meeting. A cultural activity was also arranged for 5 September. On this meeting, Dr Floyd as the Chair welcomed new members since the last meeting; Myanmar, Bangladesh and New Zealand.

Dr Floyd advised that one nomination for APSN Chair was received from Japan for Mr Takeshi Hikihara, Ambassador, Director-General, Disarmament Non-Proliferation and Science Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. All APSN members voted in favour of Mr Hikihara taking the chairmanship and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs taking up the Secretariat for the period 2014 - 2016 commencing at the conclusion of the 5th APSN Plenary Meeting. Dr Floyd also gave a status update on ESARDA-MOU. The text was approved by ESARDA and the MOU was with ESARDA for signature. Dr Floyd will work with Mr Hikihara and ESARDA to finalise the MOU.