On Monday 28 September 2009 the International Institute for Strategic Studies will launch it's latest Strategic Dossier, 'Preventing Nuclear Dangers in Southeast Asia and Australasia'. Mark Fitzpatrick, Senior Fellow for Non-proliferation will present the main arguments of the book and then take questions. Dr John Chipman, IISS Director-General and Chief Executive, will chair the event. The launch will take place from 10-11am.
Southeast Asia is on the cusp of joining the nuclear renaissance. Three countries in this region have announced plans for nuclear power, two others are deciding on the option and two more recently expressed an interest in this form of energy for the first time. Meanwhile, Myanmar plans to build a small research reactor and is the focus of rumours about clandestine nuclear cooperation with North Korea. Myanmar’s unclear intentions give rise to proliferation worries, while elsewhere in the region the major concerns about the introduction of nuclear power pertain to safety and environmental considerations and whether facilities and materials will be secure.
The IISS Strategic Dossier on Preventing Nuclear Dangers in Southeast Asia and Australasia provides a comprehensive overview of the history of nuclear programmes in the region, an evaluation of national nuclear capabilities and policies, and an analysis of future aspirations in each of the members of ASEAN plus Australia and New Zealand. In addition to analysing the safety and security risks of nuclear energy and the vulnerabilities of strategic trade control systems, the dossier assesses policy options that can help allow the atom to be harnessed for peaceful uses in a manner that is safe, secure and non-threatening.
The press launch will take place in the Lee Kuan Yew conference room at Arundel House, 13–15 Arundel Street, Temple Place, London WC2R 3DX. Guests are requested to take their seats by 09:45am. If you are bringing a camera crew, please arrive in advance to set up. Technical experts will be on hand to assist.
Press copies of Preventing Nuclear Dangers in Southeast Asia and Australasia will be issued at the launch. Copies will also be available to members at the reduced rate of £10.00.
If you would like to attend please RSVP to Kelly Signorelli-Chaplin at chaplin@iiss.org orTel: 020 7379 7676.
