PH pushes stronger ASEAN nuclear regulation, emergency coordination under ASEANTOM chairship

The Philippines used its 2026 chairship of the ASEAN Network of Regulatory Bodies on Atomic Energy (ASEANTOM) to advance regional cooperation on nuclear safety, security, safeguards, emergency preparedness, and regulatory capacity during the network’s 13th annual meeting in Manila from August 11 to 13.

As chair and host, the Philippines led plenary sessions, presented accomplishments under ASEANTOM projects, reported on activities undertaken during its chairship, and helped guide the review and adoption of the meeting’s final report and key outcome documents.

A key part of the meeting was the ASEAN Nuclear Emergency Notification and Communications Exercise (AR/NeX) 2026, which the release described as ASEANTOM’s flagship project for the year.

The Philippines shared the exercise’s key outcomes and lessons learned as part of discussions on improving regional preparedness and coordination.

Delegates also exchanged experiences and best practices on regulatory oversight, human resource development, emergency preparedness and response, environmental radiation monitoring, nuclear security, and efforts to prevent the illicit trafficking of nuclear and radioactive materials.

The regional focus is significant because nuclear and radiological risks can require coordination across national borders, particularly in areas such as emergency notification, radioactive-material security, and regulatory preparedness.

The meeting also expanded engagement with international partners, with two full sessions dedicated to dialogue with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and other dialogue partners and technical organizations.

Discussions focused on strengthening regional cooperation, improving regulatory capacity, and aligning ASEAN initiatives with international nuclear safety and security standards.

For the Philippines, the meeting also comes as the country strengthens its own nuclear regulatory framework.

The Philippine delegation was led by the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (DOST-PNRI) through its Nuclear Regulatory Division, the country’s national regulatory authority for nuclear and radiation safety.

The division will form part of the newly established Philippine Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (PhilATOM), an independent national body created to regulate the safe, secure, and peaceful use of nuclear energy and radiation sources in the country.

The establishment of PhilATOM and the Philippines’ work under ASEANTOM both reflect a broader emphasis on strengthening regulatory institutions, technical capacity, and coordination around nuclear and radiation technologies.

The meeting concluded on August 13 with the formal turnover of the ASEANTOM chairship from the Philippines to Singapore.

Established in 2013 under the ASEAN Political-Security Community Pillar, ASEANTOM serves as the regional platform for cooperation among nuclear regulatory authorities of ASEAN member states, with work focused on nuclear safety, security, safeguards, technical capacity, and the implementation of IAEA standards.

Can stronger regional coordination help ASEAN build the regulatory and emergency-response systems needed for the safe expansion of nuclear technologies?