PEACEFUL USE OF NUCLEAR ENERGY AND THE ROLE OF REGIONAL SAFEGUARDS SYSTEMS IN INCREASING TRANSPARENCY AND CONFIDENCE - ONE PERSPECTIVE OF ABACC

Non-proliferation and nuclear disarmament are central issues surrounding the peaceful use of nuclear energy. The expected expansion of nuclear energy to new countries and the reactivation of nuclear activities in those that have developed nuclear energy for peaceful uses over the years, among other challenges, show the increasing importance of robust state and regional systems in international safeguards. The existence of good safeguards infrastructure in States, the added value of regional safeguards endeavours like ABACC, providing additional confidence and transparency about the peaceful nature of nuclear activities under its control, the existence of a nuclear weapons free zone in Latin America3 and the benefit of establishing a forum to exchange best practices among these systems under the auspices of the IAEA, seem important contributions to consider with special attention in the new safeguards era. Enhancing the cooperation and dialogue among interested parties, especially between the IAEA, States and Regional arrangements is relevant for modern effective and efficient safeguards. ABACC is a regional safeguards organization established by Argentina and Brazil in conformity with national and international laws as an independent entity to verify the States commitment of exclusive peaceful purpose of their nuclear activities. This makes ABACC a unique organization. The IAEA and ABACC have been working together in implementing good safeguards for almost twenty years, jointly with the existence of robust State systems in both countries in support of ABACC and IAEA’s activities and to fulfil their national objectives. A lot has been accomplished, but a lot more could be done to enhance the way they operate. The concept of “state level safeguards approach” should allow to consider new opportunities to deepen the two- way street cooperation. This paper discusses the contribution of a regional safeguards system like ABACC to the non-proliferation regime and to the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and its role for more effective and efficient international safeguards. The paper also examines ABACC in promoting exchange of good practices and lessons learnt and whether this regional system together with Argentina and Brazil state authorities may expand this activity further in the Latin America region and internationally.