The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Regional Workshop on Facilitating Adherence to the Amendment of the CPPNM was held in Beijing in 1-3 April, 2013. More than 20 government officials and experts from 15 countries, including Qatar, Japan, Pakistan, Vietnam, Laos and Philippines, attended the meeting. The Workshop was co-hosted by the IAEA and China Atomic Energy Authority (CAEA) and organized by China State Nuclear Security Technology Center (SNSTC) with a view to the early ratification of the Amendment by countries around the world for its early entering into force.

Present during the meeting were Ms. Peri Johnson, legal advisor of the IAEA Director General and Director of the Office of Legal Affairs, IAEA, Mr. Khammar Mrabit, Director of the Office of Nuclear Security, IAEA, Mr. Liu Yongde, Director General of the Department of International Cooperation, CAEA, Deng Ge, Director General, SNSTC.

During the meeting, international nuclear security legal framework and the efforts made by the IAEA in facilitating universal implementation of the Amendment of the CPPNM were first introduced by the IAEA officials. Countries that have already ratified the Amendment, including China, Australia and Vietnam, shared their experience in ratifying the amendment. Delegates attending the meeting also updated us on the progress achieved and difficulties involved in ratifying and implementing the Amendment. A consensus was also reached by all delegates that the early coming into force and implementation of the Amendment held great significance for safeguarding national, regional and global nuclear security. The meeting was at last concluded by Ms. Peri Johnson who called for countries that had not yet signed the Amendment to speed up their ratification for the early entering into force of the Amendment as an internationally legally-binding instrument, which is conducive to the building of a world of shared peace.