Building Confidence Through Nuclear Transparency

The prospects of an increase in energy demand in the Asia-Pacific region, combined with the perceived need for energy security or self-sufficiency, have driven many countries to develop or at least contemplate the use of nuclear energy.  This increased peaceful use of nuclear energy brings with it rising safety and non-proliferation concerns.  Moreover, Asia-Pacific international cooperation in nuclear matters has been uncommon.

In order to address these concerns, the Council for Security Cooperation in the Asia Pacific (CSCAP) --a non-governmental organization linking together research institutes and security specialists from throughout the region--is conducting an investigation as to the feasibility of developing multilateral approaches toward ensuring the peaceful, safe use of nuclear energy.  The purpose of this examination, conducted by CSCAP's international Working Group on Confidence and Security Building Measures (CSBMs), is to evaluate ways to increase nuclear safety and transparency and promote confidence among Asia-Pacific nations, while providing greater insight into regional nuclear-related concerns and potential acceptable solutions.  Representatives from all the current and prospective nuclear energy users are currently participating in this CSCAP Working Group effort.

CSCAP's intended efforts in this field range from simple information gathering and dissemination on one end of the spectrum to examining the possibility of defining and promoting an international Asian or Pacific Atomic Energy Community (PACATOM) at the other.  In between these two extremes are a variety of interim steps or measures that can address or alleviate regional nuclear energy-related concerns.