IAEA's Amano sets out challenges

Monday, 22 September 2014

Yukiya Amano, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has become "more and more convinced" of the vital importance of science and technology for sustainable development in his visits to the agency's member states all over the world.

Amano spoke at the 58th Regular Session of the IAEA's General Conference being held this week in Vienna.

"Nuclear science and technology have much to contribute to the achievement of development goals in areas such as human health, agriculture, water management, and industrial applications, as well as in energy," Amano said. "I see the impact of this technology on the lives of cancer patients, who gain access to better health care because the IAEA helps their countries build capacity in nuclear medicine for diagnosis and radiotherapy. I see it in the lives of farmers, who can grow larger crops of basic foods such as rice and barley, even in difficult conditions, thanks to the availability of robust new varieties of plants developed through radiation techniques."

Amano (Image: IAEA - D Calma)

Through its Technical Cooperation program, the agency plays the key role in ensuring that developing countries gain access to nuclear science and technology, Amano said. "Unfortunately, these activities are not well known. So, wherever I go, I try to raise awareness of this vitally important area of our work."

The impact of the agency's work in the daily lives of millions of people around the world "is extraordinary and deserves to be better known," he said.

As nations consider new sustainable development goals for the years after 2015, Amano called on the IAEA's member states to help ensure that the importance of science and technology is explicitly recognised as a central part of the post-2015 agenda. This should include recognition of the immense benefits of peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology, he said.

A unique feature of the IAEA, and a key element of its special contribution to development, is its cluster of nuclear applications laboratories in Seibersdorf, near Vienna. They offer training in nuclear applications to scientists in member states; support research in human health, food and other areas; and provide analytical services to national laboratories.
The laboratories are more than 50 years old and a major overhaul is long overdue, Amano said. "I presented a detailed modernization strategy, known as ReNuAL, to the Board in May. The ground-breaking ceremony will take place next Monday. When the project is completed in 2017, we will have fit-for-purpose laboratories that will meet Member State needs for the next 15 to 20 years."

ReNuAL is an "extremely important" project for the agency which will benefit all member states, he said. "I appeal to all countries to contribute generously."

Limit greenhouse gases

 
A key challenge facing the world in the coming decades will be to provide reliable supplies of energy as the population grows, and, at the same time, to limit greenhouse gas emissions.

"Many countries believe nuclear power can help them to address this challenge. Nuclear power is one of the lowest emitters of carbon dioxide - alongside hydro- and wind-based electricity - when emissions through the entire life cycle are considered," Amano said.

There are 437 nuclear power reactors operating today in 30 countries, producing about 11% of global electricity. Seventy reactors are under construction, mostly in Asia. The IAEA is working closely with 33 countries that are considering, planning or starting nuclear power programs. Its latest projections show continued growth in the use of nuclear power by 2030, although growth is likely to be slower than it expected before the Fukushima Daiichi accident.

Based on experience and feedback from member states, the IAEA is revising one of its documents - Milestones in the Development of a National Infrastructure for Nuclear Power – which Amano said has proved to be of great value to many countries.

The agency it also working with member states on increasing the use of nuclear power reactors in areas such as seawater desalination, district heating and petrochemical applications. This could significantly boost plant efficiency and generate more revenue, he said.

Waste

 
Radioactive waste is an issue for all countries, not just those which have nuclear power program, he said. "Although there is widespread misunderstanding about the feasibility of disposing of radioactive waste, technologies do exist to address this issue. It must be given proper consideration by all states when they embark on any use of nuclear technology."

Amano invited all member states to participate in this year's Scientific Forum, entitled Radioactive Waste: Meeting the Challenge, which starts tomorrow. "Progress continues to be made in improving nuclear safety throughout the world. I have seen concrete improvements in safety features at every nuclear power plant I have visited since the Fukushima Daiichi accident."

The agency and its member states continue to implement the IAEA Action Plan on Nuclear Safety, which was endorsed by the General Conference in 2011. "In the immediate aftermath of the Fukushima Daiichi accident, the focus was on helping Japan respond to the crisis and ensuring that the necessary lessons were learned, and acted upon, everywhere. At next year's General Conference, we will publish an important report on the accident," Amano said.

"However, nuclear safety is not simply about guarding against severe natural hazards. In the coming years, we have to look at safety aspects of other important issues, including decommissioning old facilities, extending the operating life of existing nuclear power plants, disposing of high-level radioactive waste, and developing innovative technologies such as fast reactors and new small and medium-sized reactors. While taking forward the lessons arising from Fukushima Daiichi, I believe it is time to start considering a broader approach to strengthening nuclear safety," he said.

Security

 
The central role of the agency in helping to strengthen the global nuclear security framework is widely recognized. "The international nuclear security environment is constantly changing. With its broad mandate and technical capabilities, and the support of 162 member states, the agency is well placed to continue playing the central role in helping the world to act in unison against the threat of nuclear terrorism," he said.

Demand for IAEA's services is "growing steadily", he said. For example, it provided nuclear security training to nearly 3000 people in the year to June, an increase of 37% over the previous year. A total of 62 International Physical Protection Advisory Service missions have now been held in 40 countries.

The most important area of "unfinished business" in nuclear security remains the entry into force of the 2005 Amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material. "There has been real momentum in recent years towards its entry into force, which is one of the most significant measures which the world could adopt to strengthen nuclear security. I appeal to all countries which have not yet done so to adhere to the Amendment."

The next high-level IAEA International Conference on Nuclear Security, which will take place in December 2016, will be an important opportunity to review progress achieved and to map out the agency's work for the future.

Verification

 
The number of states with additional protocols to their comprehensive safeguards agreements in force continues to rise and now stands at 124. Amano urged remaining states to conclude additional protocols as soon as possible. He also asked the 12 States without NPT safeguards agreements in force to bring such agreements into force without delay.

The nuclear program of North Korea "remains a matter of serious concern," he said. "I call upon the DPRK to comply fully with its obligations, to cooperate promptly with the agency, and to resolve all outstanding issues, including those that have arisen during the five-year absence of agency inspectors from the country. The agency will maintain its readiness to play an essential role in verifying the DPRK's nuclear program."

Since the last General Conference, there have been important developments concerning safeguards implementation in the Iran. In November 2013, the Agency and Iran agreed to cooperate further to resolve all present and past issues under a Framework for Cooperation. Last month, Amano held meetings in Tehran with the President of Iran, Hassan Rouhani, and other senior officials as part of his efforts to advance high-level dialogue between the agency and Iran.

"Under the Framework for Cooperation, Iran has implemented a number of practical measures as planned. However, two such measures remain to be implemented," Amano said. "In order to resolve all outstanding issues, it is very important that Iran continues to implement, in a timely manner, all practical measures agreed under the Framework for Cooperation, and that it proposes new measures that we can agree upon for the next step."

The agency continues to verify the non-diversion of nuclear material declared by Iran under its Safeguards Agreement. However, the agency "is not in a position to provide credible assurance about the absence of undeclared nuclear material and activities in Iran, and therefore to conclude that all nuclear material in Iran is in peaceful activities," he said.

The agency also continues to undertake monitoring and verification in relation to the nuclear-related measures set out in the Joint Plan of Action agreed between the E3+3 and Iran. Iran has been implementing the relevant measures as envisaged and on time, he said.

"As my report on Application of IAEA Safeguards in the Middle East shows, there remain fundamental differences of view among countries of the region on this issue. It has therefore not been possible to make further progress in fulfilling my mandate from the General Conference in this area. I will continue my consultations," he said.

Budget constraints

 
The IAEA "is likely to face tough budget constraints for some years to come," reflecting financial difficulties in many countries, Amano said. "In response, we are doing everything possible to make prudent use of our limited resources and ensure we deliver maximum benefit to our Member States. At the same time, demand for our services continues to grow and it is not possible to meet these growing needs within existing financial means. We must therefore strike a delicate balance between the capacity of Member States to contribute and Member State needs, while seeking additional sources of funding."

Three new Member States have joined the IAEA since the last General Conference - the Bahamas, Brunei Darussalam and San Marino.

Researched and written
by World Nuclear News