NUCLEAR-PLEDGE 2 LST

France said it is ratifying the 2005 Amendment to the
Convention on Physical Protection of Nuclear materials;
inviting an International Physical Protection Advisory Service
security review from IAEA; incorporating training in nuclear
security at the European Nuclear Safety Training and Tutoring
Institute and the International Nuclear Energy Institute.
Finland has invited an International Physical Protection
Advisory Service security review from IAEA and Germany said it
is moving toward ratifying 2005 Amendment of the Convention on
Physical Protection of Nuclear Materials, while Georgia
declared it signed an instrument of approval for International
Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism on
April 7 this year.
Italy signed a Megaports agreement to install detection
equipment at ports with US; establishing a school of nuclear
security in Trieste, in collaboration with the Abdus Salam
International Centre for Theoretical Physics and IAEA to train
nuclear personnel from developing countries.
Further, Kazakhstan announced converting a highly-
enriched uranium research reactor and eliminating remaining
highly-enriched uranium; cooperative work on BN-350 rector
shutdown and fuel security; hosting a Global Initiative
Activity in June; and considering an International Nuclear
Security Training Centre.
Mexico too pitched in by announcing to convert a
highly-enriched uranium research reactor and eliminating
remaining highly-enriched uranium working through IAEA.
Norway announced a contribution of USD 3.3 million over
the next four years to IAEA nuclear security fund -- flexible
funds for use in developing countries -- and another USD
500,000 in additional support to Kazakhstan's efforts to
upgrade portal monitors to prevent nuclear smuggling as part
of the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism.
The Philippines announced it would join Global Initiative
to Combat Nuclear Terrorism; South Korea came forward to host
next Nuclear Security Summit in 2012; Russia signed Plutonium
Disposition protocol; with US and Saudi Arabia announcing it
will host UNSCR 1540 conference for Gulf Cooperation Council.
Thailand said that it is joining the Global Initiative to
Combat Nuclear Terrorism; Ukraine announced it is removing all
highly enriched uranium by next Summit -- half of it
by the year-end; the United Arab Emirates also signed a
Megaports Agreement with the US and Vietnam said it is
converting a highly-enriched uranium research reactor; joining
the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism.
The UK announced contributing USD 6 million to the IAEA
Nuclear Security Fund; inviting an International Physical
Protection Advisory Service security review from the IAEA;
ratification of the International Convention on Suppression of
Acts of Nuclear Terrorism and 2005 Amendment of the Convention
on Physical Protection of Nuclear Materials. PTI