The State of Nuclear Energy in ASEAN: Regional Norms and Challenges

The Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011 did not dampen plans by SoutheastAsian countries to develop nuclearpowerplants, despitesafety concerns. The strong interest in nuclearpower developmentis being driven by strategic considerations as states view nuclearpower as an alternative energy source that can help address thedual objectives ofenergysecurityand mitigation ofclimate changeeffects. Our article examines the prospects for the Association ofSoutheastAsian Nations (ASEAN) to build a stronger regional normative framework to promote nuclear safety and security and prevent proliferation ofnuclear weapons. In light ofASEAN's vision toestablish a political and security community in 2015, we argue thatmember states thatplan to use nuclear energy need to address critical issues such as legislative and regulatory frameworks, human resource development, radioactive waste management, nuclearsafety, emergency planning, and security and physical protection.