The Safety, Health and Environment National Authority (SHENA) has successfully participated in the 11^th Annual Meeting of the ASEAN Network of Regulatory Bodies on Atomic Energy (ASEANTOM), held from 15^th – 16^th August 2024 at Luang Prabang, Lao PDR. The meeting was chaired and hosted by the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Office, Department of Science, Ministry of Education and Sport of the Lao PDR (MOES). In attendance during the meeting were representatives from radiation regulatory bodies of all ASEAN member states, ASEAN Secretariat, international organisations and ASEANTOM’s dialogue partners including the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), European Commission (EU), Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) and the Regional Cooperation Agreement Regional Office (RCARO).

ASEANTOM was established in 2013 with the objective to enhance regulatory activities and strengthen nuclear safety, security, and safeguards within the ASEAN Community by enhancing cooperation and complementing the work of existing mechanisms at the national, regional and international levels. In accordance with the ASEAN Charter, ASEANTOM is one of the sectoral bodies under the ASEAN Community Pillar in the field of ASEAN Politics and Security (ASEAN Political and Security Community). Its annual meeting provides a platform to promote exchange of knowledge and experiences among radiation regulators and radiation experts, and to discuss the implementation status of ASEANTOM’s workplan.

Brunei Darussalam’s delegates was led by Yang Mulia Dayang Nur al-Ain binti Dr Haji Abdullah, Director of Legal Services Division, SHENA. As the national radiation regulatory authority, SHENA’s representation in ASEANTOM is strategic to ensure regulatory capacity in Brunei Darussalam is strengthened and aligned with the regional objective as driven by the ASEANTOM’s activities.

This year’s meeting saw regulatory bodies of ASEAN member states discuss several emerging key issues including implementation strategies towards enhancement of nuclear emergencies preparedness and response arrangement in the ASEAN region, strengthening of nuclear security based on the Integrated Nuclear Security Sustainability Plan (INSSP) formulated in collaboration with the IAEA and implementation of the Treaty on the Southeast Asia nuclear weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ).

The meeting also observed the handover of ASEANTOM Chairmanship to Malaysia, who will host the 12^th Annual ASEANTOM meeting in the year 2025.