2016/11/30
November 30, 2016
Forum for Nuclear Cooperation in Asia (FNCA)
Joint Communique
On the New Direction of the FNCA
We, the Heads of delegation of countries participating in the FNCA - Australia, thePeople’s Republic of Bangladesh, the People’s Republic of China, the Republic ofIndonesia, Japan, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia,Mongolia, The Republic of the Philippines, the Kingdom of Thailand and the Socialist
Republic of Vietnam,
Recalling that the FNCA’s objective is to promote social and economic
development through active regional partnership for the peaceful and safe
utilisation of nuclear technology,
Acknowledging that the threat of nuclear and radiological terrorism is constantly
evolving in international society and sustaining nuclear security remains an urgent
issue for the common benefit of member countries,
Realizing the importance of adequate preparation, especially infrastructuraldevelopment such as legal instruments and human resources development inintroducing nuclear power generation,
Continuing to recognize that tackling the issue of the safe management anddisposal of radioactive waste which is generated in the process of nuclearresearch and development (R&D), and nuclear power generation, is very
important,
Welcoming international cooperation with those multilateral nuclear-relatedorganizations, such as the IAEA and OECD/NEA, which have vast experience in thecomplex area of stakeholder engagement, and a rich knowledge of nuclear legal
matters for providing advice to member countries,
Appreciating that steady progress has been made with improvement of FNCA
management and activities for fulfilling its mission,
Recalling that R&D, knowledge management and capacity building are, inter alia,
the main activities of the FNCA which will lead to economic and social benefits forthe member countries, and should be further accelerated,Decided to work toward:
1. Action 1. Themes and activities to be promoted-

Further advancing the radiation safety and radioactive waste management
projects in order for member countries to tackle common issues related tonuclear energy and other nuclear applications such as agriculture, health,medicine, but not limited to these areas, such as stakeholder engagementin the region, construction of waste storage and disposal facilities, andpromotion of radiation safety and safety culture,

2. Action 2. Promoting cooperation with international organizations in thecomplex/cross-cutting areas-Promoting cooperation with relevant international organisations, including
the IAEA and the OECD/NEA, particularly in the field of legal matters, which
will become an important issue in member countries as nuclear energy andthe use of nuclear applications expand in the region, and which will be thefocus of the ‘2017 SP/international Workshop‘ to be held in March 2017,

3. Action 3. Launching reform and continuous improvement of the FNCA meetingsand management of FNCA activities-From 2017, launching new research projects, or new phases of on-goingprojects, with improved procedures for evaluating project proposals, as wellas enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of FNCA activities throughstrengthening self-evaluation and instigating self-reform,-

Establishing new Terms of Reference (TOR) for adoption at the MLM in 2017
which will help define the role and function of each of the meetings, thereby
assisting participants in the meetings in clarifying responsibilities andensuring effective communication,

4. Action 4. Introduction of “FNCA Award”-Introducing the ‘Best Research Team of the Year’ award and three ‘Excellent
Research Teams of the Year’ award for the purpose of recognizing theremarkable achievements of the projects and their contribution to the FNCA’smission. The inaugural awards will be bestowed in 2017.