Ban Ki-moon applauds IAEA

Monday, 22 September 2014

Ban Ki-moon, secretary-general of the United Nations, today applauded the work of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in promoting a nuclear safety culture around the world.

Ban's statement to the IAEA's 58th General Conference, being held in Vienna this week, was delivered by Angela Kane, the United Nations high representative for disarmament affairs.

"The IAEA continues to serve as an indispensable forum for international nuclear cooperation and as a sentinel against nuclear proliferation. To carry out these obligations effectively is no easy task, but time and again the IAEA has risen to the challenge," Ban said.

The past year has "spawned" many such challenges.

"The aftermath of the Fukushima Daiichi accident has justifiably continued to dominate the international conversation on nuclear safety. There is a growing recognition that the use of nuclear power requires a strong nuclear safety culture, including the adoption and implementation of effective international safety standards. In the same way, nuclear security has also remained at the forefront of international concerns, and every care must be taken to minimize the threat of nuclear terrorism," Ban said.

In March, Ban attended the Third Nuclear Security Summit in The Hague, during which the leaders of over 50 countries pledged their determination to strengthen international cooperation in this area. They also reaffirmed the IAEA's central role, and Ban said he "has full confidence in the IAEA's ability to continue to perform this role admirably."

The IAEA has also continued its work to ensure that the use of nuclear power will not contribute to nuclear weapons proliferation. In this regard, Ban said he was pleased to note that there are now 124 IAEA member states with additional protocols in force.

With respect to the efforts to ensure the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program, Ban welcomed the progress made by Iran and the IAEA under the Framework of Cooperation, and he encouraged the parties "to expedite their efforts" aimed at resolving all outstanding issues. The "extraordinary" support by the IAEA for the Joint Plan of Action has also been essential "in providing the political space for diplomacy to work," he said.

"Regrettably", due to the continued lack of access, the IAEA has remained unable to verify the status of the nuclear program in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Ban said. "I once again encourage the DPRK to work towards building confidence and mutual trust with its neighbours to advance peace and stability in the region. This would facilitate the resumption of diplomatic dialogue on the peaceful resolution of the nuclear issue, leading to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula."

Ban commended Yukiya Amano, IAEA director-general, and his staff for their continuing efforts to help member states realize the benefits of nuclear energy while protecting against its misuse.

"I look forward to the continuing partnership of the IAEA and the United Nations in our shared efforts towards a world free of nuclear weapons," he said.

Aliyar Lebbe Abdul Azeez, elected today as president of this week's General Conference, noted that the UN General Assembly had designated 26 September as the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons.

Azeez serves as permanent representative of Sri Lanka to the UN and other international organizations in Vienna, with bilateral accreditation as ambassador to Austria and several other countries in the region. He is also chairman of the Multilateral Diplomatic Committee and Working Group A of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) and acting president of the Industrial Development Board of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).

Researched and written
by World Nuclear News