Adopting a Declaration that targeted improved global nuclear safety, the IAEA Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Safety concluded five days of deliberations at the organization's headquarters in Vienna. The Conference was called to identify lessons learned from the nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station in Japan that was caused by an earthquake and tsunami on 11 March. The Ministers asked the Director General to prepare a draft Action Plan to address issues related to nuclear safety, emergency preparedness and response and radiation protection of people and the environment, as well as the international legal framework. (From IAEA Public Statement) Director General's Action Plan These five proposals were: • to strengthen nuclear Safety Standards; • to systematically review the safety of all nuclear power plants, including by expanding the IAEA's programme of expert peer reviews; • to enhance the effectiveness of national nuclear regulatory bodies and ensure their independence; • to strengthen the global emergency preparedness and response system; and • to expand the Agency's role in receiving and disseminating information. The Director General will now prepare a draft Action Plan on the way ahead, taking into consideration the views expressed by Member States. The Action Plan will be submitted to the IAEA Board of Governors and General Conference in September. More Expected of IAEA Along with Greater International Coordination In his concluding remarks, the Conference President, Ambassador Antonio Guerreiro of Brazil, noted that a wide range of practical ideas for improving global nuclear safety in the wake of the Fukushima Daiichi accident had been discussed. Member States encouraged the IAEA to review and strengthen its Safety Standards in all relevant areas. They stressed the importance of systematic safety reviews of all existing nuclear power plants, with particular emphasis on external natural hazards. The IAEA was encouraged to undertake more regular and systematic peer reviews of the safety of nuclear power plants, national emergency preparedness and response, as well as the nuclear regulatory framework. There was a call for the IAEA's role in nuclear incidents and emergencies to be broadened to widen the scope of information and assessments shared with Member States, international organizations and the public. Member States noted the need to enhance the worldwide emergency preparedness and response framework, as well as the IAEA's role in that framework. Greater interaction between the major players in the nuclear arena - operators, regulators and vendors - was also considered important. FILM REPORT of Site Inspection of FUKUSHIMA NUCLEAR PLANT - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/movie/inside-nuclear-beast-fukushima-japan/27487 By Ambassador Muhamed Sacirbey Facebook Become a Fan – “Diplomatically Incorrect” Twitter Follow us - DiplomaticallyX More at Ecology-Diplomat - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/c/ecology-diplomat/most_recent/1