SEOUL, 1 July 2014 – The Philippines joined the partner nations of the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism (GICNT) at its Implementation and Assessment Group Meeting that was held from July 1 to 4, 2014 at the Lotte Hotel, Seoul.

As a subscribing state to the GICNT since 2010, the Philippines was represented at the meeting by Philippine Ambassador to South Korea Raul S. Hernandez, Ms. Julietta Seguis, Head of the Nuclear Safeguards and Security Section, Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI), Mr. Merwin Valeza, Desk Officer for Disarmament Affairs and Ms. Jhoanna Jarasa, Philippine Embassy Attaché.

Deputy Foreign Minister Dong-ik Shin expressed appreciation to GICNT partner nations for their collaborative efforts in “addressing the shared threat of nuclear terrorism that has no borders” citing the grave threat posed by nuclear terrorism to nuclear weapons states and non-nuclear weapons states.

Ms. Christine R. Martin, US Coordinator of the GICNT, commended the Philippines for “its active contribution towards strengthening the international nuclear security regime”.

At the meeting, the Philippines affirmed its commitment to promote and advance the work of the GICNT in the areas of detection and response and mitigation citing the Philippines contribution to strengthening global nuclear security through the hosting of the CBRN Centre of Excellence and the operation of radiation portal monitors at the ports of Manila and Cebu.

Since its inception in 2006 under the stewardship of the US and Russia, the GICNT has expanded to 85 partner nations and 4 observer organizations and has worked to strengthen the global capacity to prevent, detect and respond to nuclear terrorism.