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Vice President Biden Discusses the Historic Opportunity to Create a Better, Safer World

April 12, 2010 at 5:18 PM ET by Jesse Lee
Summary: 
Vice President Biden talks about the importance of controlling nuclear materials to protect the world from extremists groups.

Before a lunch meeting with foreign leaders and dignitaries, Vice President Biden delivered remarks about the significance of the Nuclear Security Summit and the “historic task of creating a better and a safer world for all our peoples.” He discussed the goal of reducing the number of nuclear weapons arsenals worldwide and the importance of controlling nuclear materials to prevent extremists groups from gaining access to them. He also talked about the United States’ support for peaceful benefits of nuclear power and technology.

The United States of America stands fully committed to supporting the promotion of peaceful benefits of nuclear power, in the context though -- in the context of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.  But, again, here we can all agree that those who have developed nuclear technology should do so -- are going to develop a peaceful nuclear technology must do so wisely, with a proper attention to security, good governance, and as safely as it can possibly be done.

As countries seeking to develop your nuclear sectors, we stand ready to support you, to share our experience with you.

And we recognize that it is not a problem for governments alone to control this fissile material, it requires good regulations and public-private partnerships to get it right.

More than half the world’s dangerous nuclear materials are owned not by governments but by industry.  And we will work with them, as we will work with you, to address our common concerns. 

Later this week, the Vice President will host a roundtable discussion with leading nuclear industries to talk about forming partnerships and working to guarantee safety and security. Today, the President is holding several bilateral discussions with world leaders at the Nuclear Security Summit.

President Obama at Bilateral Meeting with Prime Minister of Malaysia

President Barack Obama participates in an expanded bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Mohamed Najib Abdul Razak of Malaysia, during the Nuclear Security Summit at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., April 12, 2010. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)