A/36/PV.50 General Assembly

For 20 years I have had the privilege of presenting the annual report of IAEA to the General Assembly. As I do so today for the last time. I should like to trace briefly the evolution of the interna- tional nuclear scene during these two decades and to ex- press some personal thoughts about the future. 3. In 196I. the peaceful uses of nuclear energy were just beginning to show their promise with a few small nuclear power plants operati.lg in a few countries. At the end of last year. 253 nuclear power reactors were in oper- ation in 22 member States of IAEA. generating 8 per cent of the world's electricity. It is possible to forecast with a high degree of probability that this figure will rise to 17 per cent by 1985. This corresponds to what could be pro- duced by burning the whole annual production of oil from Saudi Arabia as known at present. Thus. it is evident that nuclear energy is making a significant impact in reducing the need to bum fossil fuels. Nuclear energy is helping to take the pressure off oil supplies. 4. During these two decades a comparable maturity has also been achieved in the use of other nuclear techniques in the fields of agriculture. medicine and industry. In ad- dition. several countries have mastered the technical prob- lems of the fast breeder reactor which could make the potential supply of nuclear energy virtually unlimited. The first full-scale breeder is expected to be in operation within two years. NEW YORK 5. We are also beginning to see renewed interest in the use of nuclear reactors as sources of district and space heating. which absorb almost half the energy consump- tion in countries with cold climates. 6. Nuclear power plants depend on fuel-cycle services to provide them with fud and to process spent fuel and waste. In 1961. only some nuclear-weapon States had the capability to enrich uranium. This technology was a closely guarded secret. and at that time enriched uranium was provided to the nuclear power industry by only one of those countries. Today. some to countries have devel- oped or are developing various technologies for enrich- ment. and commercial supplies are already available from several of them. 7. In 1961. only the four nUclear-weapon States were operating plants for reprocessing spent fuel. This was chiefly in order to obtain plutonium for nuclear weapons. Today, pilot-scale or commercial reprocessing is already being undertaken or will shortly be undertaken in more than 10 countries to meet fuel-cycle requirements for peaceful nuclear programmes. 8. Here it is worth recalling that this process of evolu- tion has been achieved without the loss of a single life from the operation of the nuclear components of the power plants for civil use and without a single serious emission of radiation to the public, even in the worst ac- cident that has so far been witnessed. 9. But, as you all know. in recent years the long-term future of nuclear energy has become uncertain in some countries. In the United States, for example. which did so much to pioneer nuclear power. no new nuclear power plant has been ordered during the last four years. many have been cancelled. and no new orders are in prospect. Several other industrial countries are facing similar situa- tiones, with new orders falling off and many existing or- ders being deferred or cancelled. It is paradoxical that this turn should have taken place at a time when the en- ergy scene had worsened and the need for alternatives to oil had clearly become more and more acute. To a major degree, the nuclear decline could be ascribed to the slower-than-foreseen growth in electricity demand and to high interest rates adversely affecting capital-intensive construction projects. But at the same time. one cannot deny that public resistance has played some role in the rejection of the nuclear option by some countries and in the long delays being experienced in others. The time needed to build a new nuclear plant in the United States. for example, :las now stretched out to some !2 to 14 years. as compared with half that period in France and Japan. In these circumstances. it is not surprising that nu- clear electricity costs half as much as coal-generated power in France but that the balance is sometimes tipped the other way in the United States. To illustrate, let me refer to the director of the French electricity commission. who recently said that on some days in the summer the country runs only on nuclear and water power-in other 11. Nowhere is the impact of the energy crisis felt more strongly than in the developing countries, where the high cost of oil and coal has often reversed the trend of eco- nomic growth. For instance, the bulk of the total export earnings of countries like Brazil and India goes towards meeting the mounting costs of their oil imports. It has been estimated that by the year 2010 the developing countries' need for oil, if growth targets are to be met, could exceed the present total world demand as brought out at the United Nations Conference on New and Renew- able Sources of Energy, held at Nairobi this year from 10 to 20 August. 12. Nuclear power has so far done little to mitigate this problem. Last year it contributed only 1 per cent of the electricity production in the developing world. At present only four developing member States of the Agency are operating nuclear power plants, and by 1990 this number may increase to a maximum of 10. The prospects for the introduction of nuclear power in developing countries would improve, however, if smaller nuclear power plants were on the market. The, Agency has been encouraging such a development, and renewed interest in the nuclear industry concerning the design of such plants is visible. Meanwhile, as I have mentioned on several occasions, an expansion of nuclear power in the industrial countries could help relieve the pressure on oil demand and oil prices, thus indirectly helping the oil-poor developing countries. The easing of pressure on oil demand and costs would help the developing countries to build up their own conventional generating systems to the size and maturity l..vhich would justify the introduction of nuclear power. 13. Another related matter is the safety of nuclear power plants. In this sphere the Agency is now well advanced in a programme to provide internationally agreed guidelines on the design, construction and operation of nuclear power plants. IAEA is also expand~ng its field activities and its ability to assist member S:ates in the event of nuclear emergencies. 14. I would also rank the International Nuclear Informa- tion System [INIS] , established in 1969, as a major Agency contribution. INIS is the first truly international and fully computerized system for the prompt and contin- uous exchange of infomlation in various branches of nu- clear science and technology. By the end of 1980 some 570,000 reference items were stored in the INIS file. The current rate of inputs to INIS is over 75,000 references per year. Sixty-four countries and 13 international organi- zations are now taking part in it. The INIS example has inspired FAO to set up a similar system for the agri- cultural sciences. which the Agency is operating on FAO's behalf. 15. Technical assistance, or, as we now call it, technical co-operation, is one of the main functions of IAEA, and the Agency has had notable success in helping the devel- oping countries to introduce a wide range of nuclear tech- 16. May I now turn to another main area of the Agency's work, namely safeguards. The Agency's respon- sibility in this sphere results from both its statute and the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons [resolution 2373 (XXII), annex]. A few years ago it seemed that the number of parties to the Treaty had reached its ceiling. However, there have recently been en- couraging additions, particularly from the developing world. Notable additions include Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Ipdonesia, Turkey and, this spring, Egypt. As several of those countries are located in regions of tension. their willingness to accept the Treaty is of considerable signifi- cance. It goes without saying that it is of the utmost im- portance that the Treaty or full-scope safeguards be uni- versally accepted by all the nations of the world. 17. The Agency is now applying its safeguards at all nuclear instaIlations in the non-nUclear-weapon States that are parties to the Treaty, as well as at all nuclear facilities of which the Agency is aware in the seven non-Treaty countries. As a result more than 95 per cent of all nuclear material outside the nuclear-weapon States is now under lAEA safeguards. In addition three nUclear-weapon States-the United Kingdom of Great Britain and North- 'em Ireland, the United States of America and France- have also, under their voluntary offer. placed some se- lected civilian .nuclear facilities under the Agency's safe- guards. 18. For the past five years the Agency has been making a detailed statistical analysis and evaluation of the effec- tiveness of its safeguards operations, and in no case has the Agency detected any discrepancy which would indi- cate the diversion of a significant amount of safeguarded material. It has thus concluded that all such material has remained in peaceful nuclear activities or has been other- wise adequately accounted for. 19. However, I should like to refer to my report to the Agency's Board of Governors in September. I stated that, with regard to on-loan refuelled nuclear power reactors, the Agency would in a few cases not be in a position to give the requisite assurances of independent verification until certain necessary technical measures had been im- plemented. I should make it clear that I was not, I repeat not, reporting any diversion or any act of non-com- pliance; rather I was referring to technical problems that the Agency was still encountering in fully discharging its responsibility for verification in those few cases. The Agency is in continuous communication with the coun- tries concerned and has been stressing the need to strengthen the safeguards arrangements at those reactors so as to rectify the situation as soon as. possible. 20. I should like to note that of the group of countries which have not yet acceded to the Treaty, there are a few which are engaged in significant nuclear activities with existing or potential capability to produce nuclear explo- 22. The members 0; the Assembly may be interested to know that, according to information I have just received from the Iraqi authorities, it now seems reasonably safe to approach the Tamuz reactor site, and the Iraqi authorities are accordingly prepared to receive the Agency's inspec- tors at any time the Agency desires to send them. The Agency will send an inspection team to Baghdad very shortly. 23. May I now turn to another issue-the problem of the spread of nuclear weapons. Twenty years ago, in 1961, there were four nuclear-weapon States. In 1964 they were joined by a fifth. Since then that number has remained unchanged. In 1974 one other country demon- strated that it had mastered the technology of a nuclear explosive device. To keep the matter in perspective one must remember that the five nuclear-weapon States have carried out more than 400 tests of nuclear weapons since that solitary explosion in 1974 by another State. 24. We must conclude that international efforts to limit proliferation of nuclear weapons to the five nuclear- weapon States have so far-and I emphasize, so far- been remarkably successful, considering that during this period some 20 or more countries have increased their industrial nuclear potential considerably. In broad per- spective, it may be said that this a!:hievement has been caused chiefly by a favourable international political cli- mate. In 1961 East-West relations were strained and cold war tensions marked the debates in the Agency and inhib- ited the initial development of an international safeguards system. Fortunately, with emerging detente and growing mutual understanding, a major step forward was made possible with the conclusion of the Treaty on the Non- Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, which entered into force in 1970. 25. Here, I believe it is timely to recall the fundamental importance of co-operation among the nuclear-weapon States parties to the Treaty, not only for a viable non- proliferation regime but also for the fulfilment of the nu- clear arms control commitments under article VI of the Treaty. In a broader ~f.:nse, a spirit of co-operation on all sides is indispensable for successfully overcoming any proliferation problems that may arise in future and for the efficient conduct of the Agency's task, under the Treaty, of verifying the absence of diversion or detecting any di- 26. I should also like to point out that, to the extent that the Agency has been successful in meeting challenges it has faced during the last 20 years, that has been the re- sult, in part, of the fact that it has focused attention es- sentially on the pursuit of the objectives enshrined in its statute, particularly the technical aspects of its pro- grammes. The Agency has been relatively free, so far, of excessive involvement in some of the deeply divisive po- litical and economic issues which, though of undoubted international concern, have little direct bearing on the Agency's sphere of competence and responsibilities. I hope very much that the Agency can continue on this path. 27. The greatest challenges to be met in the nuclear field in the year~ ahead lie in three directions. First, there is the future of nuclear energy itself. If the present trend continues, a time may come when the overwhelming rele- vance of nuclear energy in some countries may only be in terms of military uses. I trust that will not happen. As I stated at the Agency's General Conference last September, as a member of the scientific community I believe that in the long term logic and reason must prevail. Those who are truly concerned about protecting the environment and safeguarding our health and safety will come to perceive that amongst tht~ energy options available to us today, the nuclear path is the one likely to be the least damaging to the environment and the only one that does not carry the risk of long-ten,.~ climatic changes. I therefore feel that when one takes the long view, the disadvantages of the alternatives, as well as the imperative need for adequate energy supplies, are perceived not only by the political leaders who at recent summit meetings have repeatedly reaffirmed the importance they attach to nuclear power, but also by the general public, whose fears have been played upon and which has been offered the illusion that there are "soft" paths out of the prevailing energy diffi- culties. 28. This question is also crucial for the second main challenge, that of bringing nuclear technology within the reach cOf more developing countries and helping those that have already introduced it in their national programmes. Their problems are essentially those of finance, infrastruc- ture and trained manpower, rather than those of coping with environmentalist opposition. Our success in meeting this challenge will depend to a large extent on whether or not there is a healthy nuclear industry in the developed industrial countries and foresight to share new technologi- cal developments with the developing countries. 29. The Agency has been engaged in promoting interna- tional co-operation in the peaceful uses of nudear energy ever since its establishment 24 years ago, and that is in- deed its primary responsibility. On 5 December 1980 the General Assembly, by its resolution 351112, decided to convene in 1983 the United Nations Conference for the Promotion of International Co-operation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy. In paragraph 5 of that resolution, the Agency is invited to fulfil its appropriate role within the scope of its responsibilities in the preparatory work and during the Conference itself, inclUding the provision of necessary technical data and documentation, particu-- larly in relation to the progress of the work of the Com- 31. The third main challenge is one I have already touched upon: the support and extension of a viable non- proliferation regime. Of all the services that IAEA can render to the international community. this, in my view, is the most important. Let us not forget the dangers of pro- liferation. In the long term, they would be second only to the danger of a nuclear war. Whether or not proliferation is effectively discouraged will depend chiefly on the ac- tions and policies of the most powerful nations. The ideal would be the fuI! and universal appHcation of the non- proliferation regime, in spirit as well as in letter, either by universal acceptance of the Treaty on the Non-Prolifera- tion of Nuclear Weapons, full-scope safeguards or full ap- plication of regionaL agreements like the Tlatelolco Treaty.3 The nuclear policies of the countries that are to- day operating unsafeguarded facilities capable of produc- ing weapons material are imbedded in acute political ten- sions of their regions. The arms control and disarmament measures foreseen in the Non-Proliferation Treaty are un- realized. In particular, we seem to be no nearer to the crucial step of a comprehensive test ban, which, because of its non-discriminatory feature, will attract wider ad- herence and thereby strengthen the non-proliferation re- gime. 32. Recently there have also been some disturbing re- ports on the possible use of a new technology for trans- forming plutonium produced by civil reactors into weap- ons-grade material. Most commercial nuclear power plants today are of a type which, for technical reasons, make it virtually impossible for most countries to use their spent fuel as a source of explosive plutonium. It would greatly hamper the Agency's task of safeguarding these reactors and would tend to undermine international confidence in the Non-Proliferation Treaty regime if re- processed plutonium from these reactors were to be re- fined for use in nuclear weapons. I profoundly hope that this technological option, which is in direct conflict with the objectives of the Treaty, will not be taken up. I am relieved to learn now that there are already second thoughts about taking this course. 33. We also have to bear in mind that the day may come when one or more non-nuclear-weapon States may feel inclined, for whatever reason, to test nuclear explo- sives. It is to be hoped that countries that are or may soon be producing unsafeguarded nuclear explosive material understand that such a course would detract from, instead of adding to, their national security: in other words, one must hope that wisdom and restraint will prevail.' 35. We should also bear in mind the grim possibility of an armed conflict involving civilian nuclear installations. From recent experience it is evident that. unless effective precautionary measures are adopted at the international level, certain nuclear installations could become the target of hostilities and therefore radiological warfare could be. in effect, initiated by the use of conventional weapons. One shudders to think of the consequences of military attacks on any of the 260 existing nuclear power reactors or the 300 research rea-;tors. One preventive measure that the international community could take now would be to enlarge the scope of the Additional Protocol of 1977 to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949. In its present form, the Protocol prohibits military attacks against nu- clear power plants but is silent on the subject of, for in- stance, attacks on nuclear research reactors. All nuclear establishments should surely be brought within the scope of that Convention, so that the rules of international law forbidding such attacks could be strengthened at least to that extent. 36. Permit me now to include a few words from my own perspective as a nuclear scientist who has been in- volved in the design and development of nuclear power plants. . 37. In the contemporary world. modern science and technology have deeply and irreversibly altered the pattern of our lives. In stimulating change and innovation, in pro- moting the birth of new industries and the launching of vast new projects, science and technology have brought unprecedented prosperity to 'part of the globe and, for the first time in history, have raised hopes in the less fortu- nate and more populous part of the world that it may also aspire to a tolerable standard of human life. It is my firm belief that nuclear science and technology can play some part in meeting tha~ aspiration. 38. At the same time, as we all know, nuclear science and technology have also given us the means of destroy- ing ourselves. Tens of thousands of nuclear warheads which are today believed to be aimed at every major city in the northern part of the world are also the creation of nuclear scientists and technologists, and, if nuclear pro- liferation and the current arms race are not checked, we might soon face the spectacle of the rest of the world being exposed to the same peril. Already, in the course of just 25 years, the explosive power of the nuclear arsenals has grown more than a thousandfold and represents an explosive power corresponding to some three tons of con- ventional explosives for every man, woman and child on this globe. Military expenditure-which annually already exceeds $500 billion world-wide-continues to grow at an annual rate far exceeding $20 billion, wastefully con- suming valuable material and human resources so desper- ately needed for the improvement of the conditions of human life in the greater'part of the world. 39. Undoubtedly, science and technology offer us un- limited opportunities-for good and evil-but in the ulti- 40. Over long years much has been said on the subject of nuclear arms control, but little has been done in real- ity. The task is no doubt form~dable, but there is none before us that deserves a higher priority. The Secretary- General, Mr. Waldheim, has pointed out in his report on the work of the Organization that "disarmament, in a nu- clear age, is a matter of survival" [A/36/1, sect. VI]. We must have confidence that we can begin to unmake what we have made. It is also clear that there is no nation, great or small, whose record is so unblemished that it can be trusted with a weapon capable of wiping us all out. In a wo~ld in which nations are often moved by passion rather than reason, divided by culture, race or ideology and deep mistrust of one another, the existence of great nuclear arsenals is surely not compatible with survival. As pointed out-in the Final Document of the tenth special session of the General Assembly, the first session to be devoted to disarmament, in 1978: "Enduring internatiomil peace and security cannot be built on the accumulation of weaponry by military al- liances nor sustained by a precarious balance of deter- rence or doctrines of strategic superiority." [Resolution S-10/2, sect. /I, para. 13.] 41. The world today stands on the brink of an abyss. Never befcre has mankind been in such grave peril. A nuclear war would mean the end of civilization and could lead to the extinction of the human race. It is thus evident that the highest priority of international diplomacy should be to ensure that we do not, through our own folly, go over the edge. 42. Here I should like to recall the Russell-Einstein Manifesto of 1955. The idea that the scientific commu- nity should be actively concerned about the dangers to huma~ity which arose largely through the work of scien- tists themselves was conceived by Bertrand Russell and was immediately endorsed by Albert Einstein-in fact his signature to the Manifesto was one of the last acts of his life. While specifically calling upon scientists to assemble in a conference to discuss the means of averting the dan- ger, the Manifesto urged Governments to realize that man- Kind had entered a new phase in which wsputes must be settled by peaceful means because there would be no vic- tors in a nuclear war. The Manifesto also contained a powerful and moving appeal to the general public in the following words: "We are speaking on this occasion, not as members of this or that nation, continent, or creed, but as human beings, members of the species man, whose continued existence is in doubt. . . . "We shall try to say no single word which should appeal to one group rather than to another. All, equally, are in peril, and, if the peril is understood, there is hope that they may collectively avert it." 43. Our future, our civilization, our lives, are at stake. If we had a Bertrand Russell or an Albert Einstein today, they would certainly have felt compelled to issue a new manifesto, a new appeal to the conscience of the world, in far sterner terms. I am pleased to note that there are many institutions in the world today seized of this prob- lem, and their activities should be supported. The fact is 44. Lastly, I wish to express my deep sense of gratitude to all Member States of the United Nations for the under- standing, consideration and unfailing courtesy shown to me in all the 20 years during which I have had the hon- our of addressing the General Assembly. I am sure they will extend the same consideration and courtesy to my compatriot and successor, Mr. Hans Blix. 45. As I noVi take leave of you, you have all my best wishes for 3uccess in your collective endeavours to pre- serve and strengthen world peace and security and to pro- mote international amity, understanding and goodwill, and equally in your efforts in the cause of urgently needed economic and social progress in the developing world.

I wish to thank the Director Gen- eral of IAEA for the excellent report he has just submit- ted to the General Assembly. The contents of the report and its eloquence demonstrate clearly the important, in- deed central, role which IAEA has come to play in con- nection with the utilization of one of the most powerful forces of modem times-the power of the atom. Mr. Eklund has made a unique contribution to the world com- munity ill that field during the past 20 years of his stew- ardship of the Agency. The utilization of atomic power, despite recent setbacks, has increased to a remarkable de- gree during this period. Yet so will the vastness of its destructive capacity if not brought under effective control. 47. Mr. Eklund's firm hand and wise guidance have served as an example of the benefits that strong leadership can provide in the field of international organization. From personal experience over many years in inter-agency affairs, I know at first hand the invaluable contribution that Mr. Eklund has made to the Agency's work and to the enhancement of true international civil service. 48. It is a great tribute to him and a consolation to us all that IAEA has taken the unique step of naming Mr. Eklund Director General Emeritus. Not only IAEA but the entire United Nations family can count on his con- tinued active advice and involvement in this area, whose full potential is yet to. be realized and whose effective control is so critical for the future of mankind. 49. I cannot but conclude on a personal note-personal to Mr. Eklund. We have gone to the moon and back. We have, as Mr. Eklund has just reminded us in his eloquent statement, created a nuclear arsenal with the equivalent of three tons of TNT explosive power for every man, woman and child on this earth. But we are far from finding a cure for or preventing the common cold, from which Mr. Eklund is suffering but which tas not prevented him from speaking to us this morning. Perhaps there is a lesson there for the international community. 50. I now call on the Secretary-General of the United Nations.

First, I wish to join the President in thanking Mr. Sigvard Eklund for his ex- cellent report which we have just heard. 53. I am very glad that Mr. Eklund will therefore con- tinue to bt: associated with the Agency's work in the years to come and that we shall not lose the benefit of his great expertise and wise advice. 54. The Agency's General Conference also adopted a resoluth}a4 which eloqur-ntly expressed the member States' appreciation for Mr. Eklund's major contribution to the promotion of the peaceful uses of atomic energy. During his stewardship the Agt,i7'",-,y's membership has more than doubled, and nuclear power has played a growing part in meeting the er.ergy needs of the world community. 55. The Agency has also been assigned an increasingly significant role, especially in the context of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, in developing an internationally accepted safeguards system to allay anxieties that the spread of nuclear technology and mate- Tiel might open the door to possible military capabilities. 56. We all owe a particular debt of gr~titude to Mr. Eklund for his strong personal commitment to those aims and for his' tireless endeavours to make them a reality. The solid foundations he has established will, I am sure, enable the Agency to make further advances in this vi- tally important sphere in the years to come. 57. I have deeply appreciated the close co-operation and warm personal association and friendship I have had with Sigvard Eklund over these past years. I know that I speak for all of us in wishing him every happiness and success in the future.

I now invite the Chairman of the Preparatory Committee for the United Nations Conference for the Promotion of International Co-operation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy to introduce the report of the Committee [A/36/48].

I have the honour of submitting to the Assembly the report of the Preparatory Committee for the United Nations Conference for the Promotion of Inter- national Co-operation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear En- ergy on its first session, held at Vienna from 3 to 7 Au- gust 1981. The Preparatory Committee unanimously decided to entrust me as its Chairman with this responsi- ble duty, reflecting our common desire to inform the I highest forum of the United Nations about our delibera- tions in a most direct and comprehensive manner. 60. The report of the Preparatory Committee, which I am submitting for the Assembly's consideration, was also unanimously adopted, and I believe that it truly reflects all that we were able to achieve during five days of inten- sive work in the capital of the Republic of Austria, which extended to all of liS a very warm and hospita.b1e recep- tion. 62. The General Assembly decision regarding the com- pnsition of the Preparatory Committee was not, and I say this with regret, fully implemented, and before our first session in June of this year the President of the General Assembly was able to nominate only 54 Member States, of which 45 participated in the first meeting of the Com- mittee. In addition, nine Member States attended the Vienna meeting in the capacity of observers. 63. Bearing in mind :he crucial importance so widely attributed to this very vital field of international co-opera- tion, as weU as the expectations I believe we all share that the decisions of the 1983 Conference will represent a de- cisive and far-ranging step in the dynamic promotion of the broadest international co-operation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, the Conference must consider with due attention the dangers of the proliferation of nuclear weapons. Bearing in mind the importance of these issues, one cannot but hope that at the next session of the Pre- paratory Committee the number of participating countries will not only rea.ch but preferably exceed the target of 70. That would undoubtedly enhance the whole preparatory process and ensure that the work of the Preparatory Com- mittee reflects the interests and views of the largest possi- ble number of countries interested in facilitating interna- tional co-operation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy in the interest of the whole international community and, particularly, in meeting the growing needs of the develop- ing countries. 64. As described in the report, at the beginning of its fIrst session the Preparatory Committee elected a Bureau consisting of the Chairman, eight Vice-Chairmen and a Rapporteur. At the same time, the Committee decided that the Bureau should -perform its duties with the same composition throughout the period of preparations leading to the opening of the Conference. I believe that the com- position of the Bureau, based as it is on wide geograph- ical representation, and the dedication of its members as manifested at the beginning of its work, give ample justi- fication for confidence that it will continue its important and delicate task to the satisfaction of all participating countries. 65. At the beginning of its deliberations, the Committee expressed its readiness to exert all pOf;&ible efforts to adopt decisions by consensus. The report now under con- sideration was indeed agreed upon by all the delegations participating in the first meeting of the Preparatory Com- mittee. That, of course, does not mean that a number of participating countries would not have preferred a differ- ent approach to one or other aspect of the subjects we considered. in the continuation of its work the Committee will be faced with very complex and sometimes contro- versial issues of substantive character. It is certainly my intention in carrying out the responsible duty entrusted to me-as it is, I believe, the prevailing intention of~1l the participants-to continue to exert all possible efforts to reach conclusions acceptable to all the participants. I ~x- 67. In the report to be considered, it is clear that a numbel: of the delegations participating in the Commit- tee's first session felt that it would be useful to begin consideration at that session of substantive matters deter- mining the very character and aims of the Conference. Other participants thought· it premature to approach mat- ters of substance at the first and primarily organizational session. Nevertheless, there can be no doubt that at its next meeting the Preparatory. Committee will have to face substantive issues in all their complexity, also deciding, among other matters, on the preliminary agenda for the 1983 Conference and the documentation indispensable to its success. In this context, I believe it is of the greatest importance for the further activity of the Preparatory Committee that all member countries that feel in a posi- tion to do so act in accordance with General Assembly resolution 351112 and submit to the Secretary-General of the United Nations their views concerning the agenda and other relevant matters concerning the functioning of the future Conference. 68. It would, of course, be of the greatest value to the whole preparatory activity for the Secretary-General to es- tablish as soon as possible a conference secretariat headed by a secretary-general. In accordance with the provisions of resolution 35/1 j 2, IAEA should fulfil its appropriate role at all stages of preparation of the Conference, includ- ing participation in the secretariat of the Conference. 69. Finally, allow me to express my hope that the report of the Preparatory Committee will be considered with the attention this important field of international co-operation deserves. The decisions and documents that will re5ult from the 1983 Conference will undoubtedly have a strong and lasting impact on the conditions of international co- operation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. It is cer- tainly a matter that has very broad implications for the development programmes of all countries. Therefore, the guidance and decisions of the General Assembly will be of indispensable value for the future work of the Prepara- tory Committee, and I am convinced that we shall be able to implement creatively the decisions adopted for the final success of an initiative which emerged as a unanimous expression of the determination of all Members of the United. Nations.

I now call upon the representa- tive of Janan to introduce the draft resolution on the re- port of IAEA [A/36/L./O].

On behalf of Czechoslovakia and Indonesia, which provide the Vice-Chairmen of the ~oard of Governors of IAEA, and on behalf of my own country, Japan, which is providing the current Chairman of the Board of Governors, I have the honour of submit- t~:~ international community will have to face in the nu- clear field in the years ahead. 73. As Mr. Eklund himself has stated, this is the last time he addresses the General Assembly in his capacity as Director General of IAEA, and we cannot but look back with deep gratitude to the great service he has ren- dered to the Agency and consequently to the world com- munity over the past 20 years. His brief summary of the evolution of the international nuclear scene nuring those two decades was all the more poignant because it is Mr. Eklund himself who has been at the centre of the stage as the top international civil servant in the field. I am sure I express the sentiments of the entire membership of this Assembly in thanking Mr. Eklund for his very dis- tinguished services "in guiding and directing the success- ful evolution .lf the International Atomic Energy Agency during the J-,st 20 years", to quote from one paragraph of the draft resolution I am presenting to you. We also ex- tend our congratulations to Mr. Hans Blix, who succeeds Mr. Eklund from the beginning of next month. 74. In the draft resolution I am presenting, the General Assembly also notes with satisfaction, inter alia, the work of the Agency in promoting the application of nu- clear energy for peaceful purposes, in particular in the field of technical assistance to the developing countries, and the steady improvement of the Agency's safeguards system. It welcomes the conclusion that in 1980, as in previous years, nuclear material under Agency safeguards remained in peaceful nuclear activities or was otherwise adequately accounted for. 75. A new element in this year's draft resolution is the reference to the work of the Committee on Assurances of Supply, which, it is hoped, will contribute to the success of the 1983 United Nations Conference on the Promotion of International Co-operation in the Peaceful Uses of Nu- clear Energy, as well as to the role ef the Agency in the preparations for that Conference and during the Con- ference. itself. 76. In concluding this brief statement, may I express the hope that draft resolution Al36/L. 10 can be adopted by consensus, as has been the case in previous years.

I now call on the representative of Yugoslavia to introduce draft resolution A/36/L.11.

It is a well-known fact that the continuous growth of the world economy and the faster development of developing countries depend" on the sufficiency of energy resources. Significant efforts are being made at national and international levels to meet growing energy requirements. However, all countries are not in the same situation. Some are endowed with both energy potential and technological and financial re- sources. Others have abundant energy resources but do nOl have the technology and necessary skill fully to utilize the potential of their resources. But we are particularly concerned with those who have neither. The international 79. However, the promotion of the application of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes has so far constantly been confronted with monopolistic tendencies and the emerger~c~ of policy and groups defending their own posi- tion~ of plivilege. They persistently maintain such forms of international co-operation as enable them to control the development of nuclear technology in those States which do not possess nuclear weapons. This is being justified as an effort to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons. None the less, we cannot accept the conclusion that the transfer of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes auto- matically leads to the spreading of nuclear weapons. There is no doubt that such danger does exist, but it should be eliminated by appropriate internationally agreed and beneficial policies, including the generally acceptable guarantees and safeguards system of IAEA. 80. In this connection, the most urgent task is the elimination of obstacles in the field of co-operation among States in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. Therefore, we attach gn~at importance to the forthcoming United Nations Conference t~')r the Promotion of Interna- tional Co-operation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear En- ergy, which should consider all political and economic aspects of the development of peaceful uses of nuclear energy in the world. We believe that it will adopt long- term guidelines and agreed solutions for future un- disturbed international co-operation, which is, for the above-mentioned reasons, indispensable. 81. In the report of the Preparatory Committee for the Conference, which had its first session in August this Y~Jr,' we· have noted with satisfaction that the Committee iU1S decided to recommend to the General Assembly that the Conference be held at Geneva from 29 August to 9 September 1983. We support this recommendation and expect that it will be confirmed by the General Assembly. 82. In the light of the importance of the issues to be considered at the Conference, we are of the view that the Preparatory Committee, in its further work, should start substantive preparations for the Conference. One of the most essential prerequisites for this is undoubtedly the fi- nalization of the appointment of its members, which we believe should be accomplished in due time in order to enable the new members to participate actively in the work of the next session of the Committee. 83. The guidelines for the work of the Committee on the substantive preparations for the Conference should be the principles of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, par-' ticularly those contained in General Assembly resolution' 32/50. Proceeding from these, the Committee should first of all adopt a decision concerning the draft agenda of the Conference. Our view is that the agenda should cover consideration of the importance of the development and use of nuclear energy for economic and social advance- ment, particularly in developing countries, as well as the adoption of measures for international co-operation in this field. . 85. If that concept proves acceptable, and we believe that there should be no objections to it, the Preparatory Committee is to carry out a very important task. There- fore, the Committee should be provided with the neces- sary time frame and with the required political goodwill and support. We feel that the recommendations of the Committee with regard to the duration of its future ses- sions do not correspond to the work that it is called upon to carry out. Therefore, it is necessary to provide for longer sessions of the Committee next year. The Commit- tee .should also be able to organize its work in the way it finds necessary, including the setting up of working groups which could hold even intersessional meetings, if that is required for the fulfilment of its task. 86. It is a widely accepted view that one of the two proposed meetings for next year should be held in New York. The reason for that is that for the greatest number of developing countries it is most convenient to hold such meetings at United Nations Headquarters. Furthermore, a number of countries have difficulties in attending meet- ings in venues where they do not have permanent diplo- matic missions. Besides, the holding of meetings in New York results in considerable savings. 87: The Preparatory Committee recommended that the Secretary-General of the United Nations, establish as soon as possible a small conference secretariat headed by the Secretary-General of the Conference. From the experience of preparing other United Nations conferences, it is ob- vious that timely establishment of a secretariat would con- tribute considerably to the successful preparations of this Conference. It seems most appropriate to set it up from the staff of the Natural Resources and Energy Division in the United Nations Secretariat, with corresponding co-op- eration of the IAEA Secretariat. Therefore, it would be necessary to consider as soon as possible the appointment of an appropriate person as Secretary-General of the Con- ference. 88. We support the conclusion of the Preparatory Com- mittee that IAEA should play an active role in all stages of the preparations for the Conference, in accordance with General Assembly resolution 35/112. In that sense, we hope that those activities will find a place in the Agency's programme for 1982 and 1983. 89. Owing to the importance of the preparations for the Conference, my delegation considers it very important that consideration of the report of the Preparatory Com- mittee be included as a separate item in the agenda of next year's General Assembly session. 90. A group of developing countries, among them my own, has submitted to the General Assembly, in consulta- tion with a wider number of countries that do not appear as sponsors, draft resolution N36/L.ll, which includes the positions I have just expressed and which I have the honour to introduce on behalf of its 14 sponsors, which

At the outset I should like to present to Mr. Eklund our sincere thanks for his clear and comprehensive introduction of the report of IAEA for the calendar year 1980. We are particularly grateful for his most interesting assessment of the international energy situation and for the valuable information he supplied on the events of the current year. 93. As in previous years, I should like to take this op- portunity to reaffirm that the Austrian Government ex- tends its full support to IAEA. Today, more than ever, we are convinced that the Ageney has a crucial role to play in international relations and that its manifold activities should be further developed and strengthened. In its fu- ture efforts the Agency should maintain a fair and equita- ble balance between its function as a source of technical assistance to developing countries and the implementation of its responsibilities for non-proliferation. 94. It is a cause for satisfaction to note that, helped by geographical proximity, close relations and an extensive exchange of information in a variety of fields have devel- oped between the Agency's laboratories and Austrian re- search and scientific institutions. That co-operation in- cludes research on the application of isotopes and radiation in the fields of agriculture, medicine and ecol- ogy. 95. If we look at the Agency's efforts to strengthen its activities in the field of technical assistance to developing countries, we can be encouraged by the fact that the total resources available rose to $21.7 million in 1980. Austria is particularly satisfied to see that this trend is continuing. Austria has increased its voluntary contributions to the Technical Assistance Fund for the year 1982 by 20 per cent to $115,200. 96. The prevention of a further spread of nuclear weap- ons remains one of the most urgent items on the interna- tional agenda. Austria attaches utmost importance to that problem and therefore strongly supports the work of the Agency in the area of safeguards. At this point, I should like to emphasize that the Austrian Government has con- demned in strong terms the Israeli attack against the Iraqi nuclear reactor. That action constituted not only a grave violation of the basic principles of the Charter but also an assault against the IAEA safeguards system. We are firmly convinced that any unilateral military action to pre- vent nuclear activities of another nation is unjustified and counterproductive, as it might well increase the risk it is designed to eliminate. The Austrian Government has full trust in the reliability of the IAEA nuclear control system and believes that any technical shortcomings can and will be overcome. Indeed, we feel that, in view of its excel- lent record, the coverage of the safeguards system should be extended. The Austrian delegation supports the con- cept of "full-scope safeguards" and the' proposal to re- quire, as a pre-condition of all future nudear supply com- mitments to States not party to the Non-Proliferation 97. The Austrian delegation notes with satisfaction that the Committee on Assurances of Supply has taken up its substantive work. We hope that the negotiations between supplier and receiving countrie8 will lead to results which will do justice to its twofold objective: to satisfy the legit- imate desire for more predictable and long-term arrange- ments for supplies of nuclear material, equipment, tech- nology and fuel cycle services and to preclude the misuse of nuclear technology for military purposes. 98. I should like to turn now to the issue of nuclear safety, another important element in the mandate of the Agency. It has become more and more apparent in' the past years that the future of nuclear power as a major energy source depends largely on the ability to deal satis- factorily. with the safety issue~ of nuclear power plants and on the development of adequate arrangements for the disposal of nuclear wastes. Since solutions to these prob- lems can be found only through international co-opera- tion, my delegation attaches great importance to the rele- vant programmes of the Agency. 99. Since 1979 the Austrian delegation has been pursu- ing an initiative to facilitate the co-operation between neighbouring countries concerning trans-frontier aspects of nuclear-power stations. Our proposal is based on the conviction that it is in the interest of every State that its neighbours apply agreed safety standards for the construc- tion and operation of nuclear power stations such as would minimize the risk of accidents and exclude effects on the biosphere of the neighbouring country. In view of its vast experience in this area, we believe that lAEA is the proper body to deal with this problem. We have there- fore proposed that a technical working group should be set up within the framework of the Agency to discuss the question of safety criteria for nuclear power stations in the vicinity of international frontiers and to elaborate a cata- logue of minimum standards which could be applied in negotiations between neighbouring States. 100. I should like to reaffirm that Austria is well aware of its special responsibilities as the host country of the Agency. We trust that at its headquarters, the Vienna In- ternational Centre, the Agency enjoys working conditions that facilitate the accomplishment of its task and allow it to maintain its high standards of excellence and effi- ciency. In 1981, two legal instruments between the Agency and my Government have entered into force: the . agreement regarding the headquarters· of IAEA5 at the Vienna International Centre, and the agreement regarding the establishment and administration of a common fund for financing major repairs and replacements at the Vienna International Centre. As representative of the host country, I am pleased to note that the establishment of the Agency at the Vienna International Centre has thus been cast in an appropriate legal form and that the question of how to finance future repairs and replacements has found a mutually acceptable and satisfactory solution. We are confident that all questions arising from the Agency's headquar..ers at Vienna will continue to be settled in the same spirit of mutual understanding and co-operation. 10l. In conclusion, I wish to pay a tribute to Mr. Sig- vard Eklund, whose term of office as Director General of IAEA is approaching its end. During his 20 years as the head of that organization, Mr. Eklund has contributed im- 102. I also wish to express our sincere congratulations and best wishes to Mr. Hans Blix, who has been ap- pointed to succeed Mr. Eklund in the post of Director General. We are happy that IAEA has chosen such a dis- tinguished and experienced statesman as its new head, and we look forward to our co-operation with him.

The President of the General Assembly and the Secretary-General of the Orga- nization paid, a moment ago, an eloquent tribute to the Director General of IAEA, Mr. Eklund. Let me, on be- half of the Government of Finland, join them in paying a tribute to the Director General for his exceptional per- formance at the head of the Agency, spanning a period of 20 years. hi that capacity, he has indeed rendered out- standing service to the international community as a whole. During his tenure, the successes of the Agency have been largely due to his leadership, and under his leadership the Agency has adapted itself successfully to the changing needs of the internation~l community in the field of the peaceful atom. His successor, Mr. Blix of Sweden, has our best wishes for his exacting task. 104. _ Once again, Mr. Eklund's introduction and the an- nual report of the Agency underline the indispensable role of the Agency in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. The performance of the Agency has been creditable. Among the obvious successes of IAEA, we note that no illicit diversion of safeguarded material has been detected. Also, new safeguards agreements have been concluded and several new States have joined the Treaty on the Non- Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. Yet, the continued exis- tence of unsafeguarded facilities in a number of countries is a constant reminder of why the fear of proliferation of nuclear weapons is real and justified. 105. Despite the multitude of problems and restraints the fact remains that nuclear technology will for the fore- seeable future provide an important energy source in an increasing number of countries. Finland, for example, is among those countries for which nuclear technology al- ready plays a significant role in energy production. This, year the share of nuclear energy has risen to one third of· total _electricity production in my country. We therefore have a vested interest in the promotion of international co- operation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. 106. Overriding the problems related to nuclear energy is the question of the proliferation of nuclear weapons, or, as Mr. Eklund has just put it in his opening statement, in the -long term the dangers of proliferation would be sec- ond only to the danger of nuclear war. We, for our part, 107. Behind most of the difficulties experienced in inter- national nuclear co-operation is the fear of proliferation. That fear exists because some non-nuclear-weapon States have declined to give the international community a non- proliferation commitment by joining the Non-Proliferation Treaty or at least accepting safeguards on all their nuclear activities. 108. One of those States, Israel, in June attacked a fa- cility under Agency safeguards in Iraq, a State party to the Treaty. That act, which represents a new form of inter- national violence, stands condemned by the Security Council, by lAEA and by the international community as a whole. We are assured that despite the Israeli attack the credibility of the Agency and the credibility of its safe- guards remain intact. 109. In years to come IAEA will have to meet chal- lenges in all its fields of activity. In that regard ,we are pleased to see the rapid increase in the funds allocated to the Agency's technical assistance. We also welcome the Agency's continuing work on nuclear safety and the work on an international plutonium-storage system. 110. The availability of adequate supplies and services on an assured and predictable basis is of legitimate inter- est to those countries that have accepted effective non- proliferation restraints. We therefore support the work of the Committee on Assurances of Supply and the prag- mC\tic approach it has taken. Ill. We see the United Nations Conference for the Pro- motion of International Co-operation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy, scheduled for 1983, as closely con- nected with related questions .~nder discussion within IAEA. The Committee on Assurances of Supply is partic- ularly important in that respect. The Preparatory Commit- tee for the Conference should therefore be adequately in- formed of the work of that Committee in order that it may be taken into account with regard to the convening of and preparations for the Conference, in accordance with the relevant General Assembly resolution. 112. In our view substantial progress in the work of the Committee on Assurances of Supply is essential to the achievement of the objectives of the Conference. As a member of the Preparatory Committee for the Con- ference, Finland is prepared to work constructively with others towards its successful outcome.

The statute of IAEA, in its article 11, stipulates that the raison d'etre of the Agency is to "seek to accelerate and enlarge the contribution of atomic en- ergy to peace, health and prosperity throughout the world". That same article adds that "it shall ensure, so far as it is able, that assistance provided by it or at its ~quest or under its supervision or control is not used in sIkh a way as to further any military purpose". I14. In order that those objectives may be achieved, the statute of the Agency, in its article Ill, gives it the follow- ing functions: "to encourage and assist research oil, and development and practical application of" atomic ene~gy 115. I have quoted that part of the statute of the Agency, which was adopted by the international commu- nity in October 1956 and which entered into force in July 1957, because it constitutes the heart of the objectives and functions of the Vienna Agency. I have done so also because, on the basis of supervening highly political con- siderations, there has been an attempt-and, it must be said, a largely successful attempt-to adulterate and to distort the role of a mechanism of the United Nations sys- tem that was, as we have seen, created first and foremost to foster international co-operation for the peaceful devel- opment of nuclear energy. Those who on the basis ofonly one of the various functions of the Agency claim that the entity has as its principal and almost sole raison d'etre to serve as an international police force to prevent the pro- liferation of nuclear weapons, conceal, for reasons that need not be cited here, the fundamental objective of the Agency, which is, I repeat, to "accelerate and enlarge the contribution of atomic energy to peace, health and pros- perity throughout the world". What has politicized, as is now said, the Agency has been not the legitimate de- mands of the developing countries, which want to see that function of fostering fully carried out, but the intention to limit its role to the increasing application of more and more restrictions under the banner of the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. 116. First of all, under the 1967 Treaty for the Prohibi- tion of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America (Treaty of Tlatelolco) and subsequently the 1968 Treaty on the Non- Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, the Agency at Vienna was assigned specific support functions in promoting an end to the military nuclear option. Under the Treaty of Tlatelolco and the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nu- clear Weapons the Agency was considered to be an effec- tive tool to help stem the proliferation of nuclear weap- ons, albeit horizontally, since those two treaties could do nothing about vertical proliferation, as we have sadly seen day after day. But neither of those instruments-one, re- gional; the other, world-wide-.was intended by its au- thors to erode, much less negate, the central role of the Agency in promoting, fostering and guiding increased ac- tivities in the nuclear field for the benefit of all mankind. 117. The danger of politicizing the Agency through an increase in its activity in the safeguards field has none the 118. For reasons too numerous to consider here, nuclear energy has been subjected to a hostile campaign: many . seek to exaggerate the dangers of proliferation that results not from the dissemination of related know-how or from access to nuclear development for peaceful purposes, but exclusively from the political decision of whoever might opt for the military use of the atom. To those dangers must be added ideas often based on legitimate concerns, such as preservation of the environment, which have alarmingly delayed the development of energy and, there- fore, the economic development of many countries. The distortion becomes even more serious when there is an attempt to claim-as was the case just a few days ago in the mass media-that the raison d'etre of the Agency at Vienna is to avoid proliferation and that only peripherally is it to provide any assistance to the development of the developing countries. Actually, the opposite is the case: the Agency at Vienna was created to promote the well- being of mankind through wider access to very rich source of energy, and only peripherally to prevent, to the extent possible, the diversion of that energy from civilian, that is, peaceful, purposes. 119. The Director General of IAEA, Mr. Sigvard Eklund, has just addressed the General Assembly for the last time in that capacity. As he pointed out, he has had the satisfaction-and this does not happen very often-of addressing us every year for two decades. He did so to- day, as always, in an open-hearted, sincere ·way and, on this occasion in particular, in a way that makes us regret his departure all the more. The Mexican Govemment is grateful to Mr. Eklund for his competence, his keen mind and for his human qualities. We are certain that his suc- cessor, Mr. Hans Blix, a compatriot of his and one equally devoted to peace, will continue on the course al- ready set. By that I do not mean that the Agency should become fixed in its vision of the world or that it should not seek out innovations; I mean that the quality of the work accomplished, the prestige given to the Agency by Mr. Eklund in his 20 years as its head, has necessarily, to 120. Let me take this opportunity to renew the gratitude of my Government for the work done by Mr. Sigvard Eklund, now Director General Emeritus of lAEA, as well as the appreciation of the Mexican people for his human qualities. We feel certain that the Agency will not alter its course but, rather, that it will be further enriched as it moves in the same direction.

The Soviet delega- tion has studied the report of IAEA and has heard the statement made by its Director General. We note with sat- isfaction ·that both the contents of the IABA report and the statement made by Mr. Eklund testify to the consider- able work done over the past year by the Agency. The Soviet delegation fully approves the important role of the Agency in fostering co-operation among States in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy for economic and social advancement and development, as well as for the strengthening of the nuclear non-proliferation regime and the exercise of effective international control over the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and nuclear technology. Over the years of its existence the Agency has shown its ability to be an important instrument in the struggle for the maintenance of peace and the strengthening of interna- tional co-operation. . 122. Much personal credit for this goes to the Director General, Mr. Eklund. We should like to avail ourselves of this opportunity to express on behalf of the Soviet delega- tion our deep appreciation and gratitude to Mr. Eklund for his long years of fruitful efforts in the post of Director General of IAEA. We wish him good health and success in the future. 123. We should like also to congratulate Mr. Blix on his unanimous appointment at the twenty-fifty session of the lAEA General Confererice to the post of Director General of that authoritative international organ. We express the hope that he will be a worthy successor to his compatriot in that important and responsible post. 124. One of the most important international tasks fac- ing the world community today is the establishment of a strong bulwark against the proliferation of nuclear weap- ons throughout the world. The opinion is gaining ground in the world that the spreading of nuclear weapons from country to country does not increase their security but only multiplies the danger of a nuclear holocaust. Ensur- ing the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons is, then, an important integral part of the system of measures for pre- venting a nuclear war. Quite obviously, this complex task I requires the joint efforts of both nuclear-weapon and non- " nuclear-weapon States. 125. As far as the Soviet Unit is concerned, it has reso- lutely striven and continues to strive to put an end to the nuclear arms race and to eliminate the proliferation of nu- clear weapons from our planet. That was stated once again from the high rostrum of the twenty-sixth Congress of the" Communist Party of the Soviet Union. That is pre- cisely the objective of the proposal made by the Soviet 126. A cornerstone for such a regime, in the opinion of the Soviet Union, has been and continues to be the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, which for more than a decade has been a good basis for interna- tional co-operation in the field of the use of nuclear en- ergy for peaceful purposes. 127. At present our task is to see to it that we promote in all ways possible the strengthening of the existing non- proliferation regime. This purpose could be served by a further increase in the number of States parties to the Treaty, primarily States which have the material and tech- nical basis for the production of nuclear weapons and nu- clear.explosive devices. There are still States with consid- erable nuclear potential which are not parties to the Treaty. By stubbornly refusing to become parties to the Treaty and undertake the international IAEA safeguards with regard to their nuclear activities, these countries are arousing the legitimate concern of the world community. 128. TI:te strengthening of the non-proliferation regime would also help in achieving strict compliance by coun- tries which have placed their nuclear installations under international safeguards with the obligations they have un- dertaken, and it would also help to enhance the effective- ness of the Agency's control. 129 ~ On the basis of the experience accumulated, we can assert that the Treaty and the international safeguards arising from it, as implemented by lAEA, effectively serve the interests of all countries in the world, both de- veloped and developing, nuclear and non-nuclear. 130. The Agency is making substantial efforts to en- hance the effectiveness of international control, constantly expanding and intensifying its activities in that sphere. We fully support the IAEA policy as regards further im- provement of the safeguards machinery established in ac- cordance with the statute of the Agency and the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. 131. Similarly, the Soviet delegation is against any at- tempts to cast doubt on the effectiveness or reliability of IAEA safeguards. That is all the more reason why we resolutely reject the claims of some-for example, Is- rael-to arrogate to "themselves the role of self-styled judge in this matter. Such activities are especially unwar- ranted if they are undertaken by those who subbomly re- fuse to place their nuclear installations under lAEA safe- guards. 132. We note with satisfaction the conclusion to be found in the Agency's report that in 1980 there was no detection of .. . . . any anomaly which would indicate the di- version of a significant amount of safeguarded nuclear material-or the misuses of <facilities or equipment un- der certain agreements-for the manufacture of any nu- clear weapon, or to further any other military purpose, or for the manufacture of any other nuclear expl'Osive device. "6 134. .An important element in warding off the potent~al danger of the unlawful seizure and use of nuclear matenal is the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material drafted under the aegis of the Agency. The early en'try into force of that Convention with a large number of parties would help in strengthening the non- proliferatioil regime. 135. An ever larger number of countries are embarking on the path of developing their own nuclear potential. In many developing countries broad programmes are under way for the training of national specialists in that field, and atomic research and training centres are being estab- lished. 136. We take note of the substantial steps taken by the Agency in promoting the development of world atomic energy as a whole, as well as in providing technical a~­ sistance to developing countries, taking into account the!r national interests and needs. Every year the IAEA Techm- cal Assistance fund grows; it is based primarily on volun- tary contributions from members of the Agency. 137. On the basis of its policy of principle in providing technical assistance to developing countries that are me~~ bers of IAEA, the Soviet Government has taken a deCI- sion to "increase the voluntary contribution of the USSR to the Technical Assistance fund to the amount of 1,400,000 roubles which exceeds the Secretariat's estimated figure. Those ~sources can be spent by the Agency in th~ Soviet Union to purchase equipment, instruments ~nd 1Ostalla- tions; for obtaining in the USSR heat-produc1Og elemen~s for research reactors, and for study in IAEA courses m the Soviet Union by specialists from developing coun- tries. 138. Moreover, in terms of additional resources, the So- viet Union earmarks more than the aforementioned sum for organizational and technical measures for the training in the Soviet Union of specialists from developing coun- tries. 139. Over the 27 years that have elapsed since the es- tablishment of the wo:tld's first nuclear power plant in the USSR, nuclear energy has become part and parcel of world energy balance, which by the end of the year 1980 totalled more than 2,000 reactor years. In this regard, great credit undoubtedly must go to IAEA. 140. A great achievement of the Agency is the success- ful functioning for more than 10 years now of INIS, which conducts an effective international exchange of sci- entific and technical information in all spheres of the peaceful use of atomic energy and gives ~ev~loping coun- tries, virtually free of charge, all the sCientific and tech- 142. We are confident that IAEA will organize and carry out the International Conference on Nuclear Power Experience in September 1982. in an e~emplary man!1er and that it will take a most active part m the preparation and holding of the 1983 United Nations Conference for the Promotion of International Co-operation in the Peace- ful Uses of Nuclear Energy. That Conference, in our view, should play an important role in fostering suc~ co- operation, and it can do this if in considering the peaceful uses of atomic energy due attention is given to the strengthening of the nuclear non-proliferation regime. 143. The geographical spread of atomic energy, the rate and scope of its development, the increase of the unit ca- pacity of energy and the installation of nuclear power plants in areas of high population density have all caused a number of serious problems which at earlier stages of development drew less attention from specialists ~1Od pub- lic opinion as a whole. First and foremost, thiS means ensuring the safe functioning of nuclear power plants and measures involving the fuel cycle, as well as such matters as the impact on the environment, the storage of highly radioactive waste. and so on. 144. We note with satisfaction the Agency's great con- tribution to the solution of those problems. In··particular, nuclear safety guidelines prepared by the IAEA secretariat are highly valued by specialists from many countries. 145. We have great hopes for meeting world require- ments for energy in connection with the solution of the problem of controlled thermonuclear fusion, as.the basic principles of the problem have been, or soon wIll be, re- solved. In 1978 the Soviet Union took the initiative in developing and producing on an international basis the pi- lot tokamak reactor. That proposal received support from the IAEA International fusion Research Council and the Director General. An international group of scientists and specialists from the Soviet Union, the United States, Japan and Europe drew up in a short period of tim~ a draft international programme for thermonuclear fUSiOn (INTOR),7 which in August 1981 was approved by IFRC and issued. By the beginning of 1983 recommendations· on the transition to the· technical and practical planning phase should be prepared. We continue to be convinced that co-operation among scientists from various countries within the framework of INTOR will undoubtedly help speed up the solution of the problems of nuclear energy on the basis of the use of controlled thermonuclear fusion and that this will serve the interests of all countries. 146. In developing atomic energy and the relevant sci- entific research studies, the Soviet Union maintains broad international scientific and technical co-operation on a bi- lateral basis and with international organizations and shares its achievements with many countries, in particular the developing countries. 147. The Soviet Union fully understands the desire of many countries to establish their own source of atomic 148. In conclusion, the Soviet delegation would like to state that it joins with other speakers in approving the annual report of the Agency for 1980 which has been submitted to us. 149. We trust that the Agency will in the future be a reliable instrument for developing international co-opera- tion in the peaceful uses of atomic energy and will NarES I International Atomic Energy Agency. The Annual Report for 1980 (Austria. July 1981); transmitted to the members of the General Assem- bly by a note of the Secretary-General (A/36/424). 1 See International Atomic Energy Agency. Resol",ion... and Otller Decisions of tll(' General COI!/en·nce. Ih'eIltY:ftjill Regular Session. GC<XXV)/RES/381. J Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America; see United Nations, Treaty Series. vot. 634. No. 9068. p. 326. 4 See International Atomic Energy Agency. Resolutions and Other De- cisions of the General Conference. Twenty:fifth Regular Session. GC(XXV)/RES/392. S United Nations. Treaty Series. vot. 556. No. 4849. p. 172. b See' International Atomic Energy Agency, The Annual Report for 1980. GC(XXV)/642 and Corr.1 and 2. para. 174. 7 International Tokamak Reactor.