Topic:
Country: Denmark
Delegate Name: Renia Kahn
Committee: International Atomic energy agency (IAEA)
Topic: Nuclear Reactors in Conflict Zones
Country: Denmark
Delegate: Renia Kahn
School: Greenhills School Ann Arbor
The safety of nuclear reactors is of the utmost importance to Denmark. Because Denmark does not currently use nuclear power there are no Danish nuclear installations. The country has decommissioned two of its three nuclear research reactors and is in the process of decommissioning the third one. The decommissioning of this reactor and the management of nuclear waste is being carefully monitored by the Danish Emergency Management Agency, the Danish Health Authority, Radiation Protection, and others, to assure it is safely dealt with. The IAEA is currently helping Denmark manage radioactive waste under project ARTEMIS.
In terms of the safety of reactors in zones of conflict, Denmark has a plan in place in case of emergencies in surrounding reactors of other countries. Although Denmark has no nuclear installations, there are eight nuclear reactors within 300km of Denmark’s borders, and if these reactors encountered an emergency, Denmark needs to be prepared. The emergency preparedness plan is outlined in detail in response to article 16 of the Convention on Nuclear Safety, signed by Denmark in 1994. Article 16 states that “Contracting Parties which do not have a nuclear installation on their territory, insofar as they are likely to be affected in the event of a radiological emergency at a nuclear installation in the vicinity, shall take the appropriate steps for the preparation and testing of emergency plans for their territory that cover the activities to be carried out in the event of such an emergency.” If the nuclear reactors surrounding Denmark were to become an area of conflict or face a terrorist attack, Denmark is prepared to take the necessary steps to ensure safety, as elaborated in the Convention on Nuclear Safety. Concerning the situation in Ukraine, Denmark, as a member of NATO, has sent monetary aid to Ukraine. Denmark also understands the hazardous nature of nuclear reactors and would be open to helping Ukraine avoid a nuclear disaster by ensuring the safety of its nuclear reactors.
Works Cited
Denmark, Danish Emergency Management Agency, Convention on Nuclear Safety: 8th National Report by Denmark. August 2019, https://www.iaea.org/sites/default/files/21/07/national_report_of_denmark_for_the_8th_review_meeting.pdf
Nuclear Energy in Denmark : Danish Nuclear Electricity – World Nuclear Association. https://www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/country-profiles/countries-a-f/denmark.aspx. Accessed 17 Feb. 2023.
Denmark and Nuclear Security | DIIS. https://www.diis.dk/en/research/denmark-and-nuclear-security. Accessed 17 Feb. 2023.
