A/38/PV.45 General Assembly

I invite the Director General of the International Atomic )2nergy Agency, Mr. Hans Blix, to present the report of the Agency for the year 1982.1 2. Mr. BUX (Director General, International Atomic Energy Agency): In the year that has elapsed since I presented the report ofthe IAEA to the General Assembly at its thirty-seventh session [7Ist meeting], several signif- icant events have taken place in the Agency. The United States, which last autumn suspended its participation in the Agency and undertook a reassessment ofthe Agency's activities, resumed its active participation in February of this year. 3. At the International Conference on Radioactive Waste Management, held at Seattle from 16 to 20 May 1983, experience and knowledge on this important ques- tion were exchanged, and the dominant conclusion was that, while much scientific, technical and site-specific work is continuing and must continue in these matters, no scientific or technological breakthroughs are needed to carry out the safe disposal of highly radioactive waste. 4. Negotiations have begun this year betweenthe Agency and the Soviet Union on that country's voluntary offer to submit some of its peaceful nuclear installations to Agency safeguards. Considerable progress towards an agreement has been made in these talks. 5. Lastly, an application for membership in the Agency by the People's Republic of China was approved by the General Conference a few weeks ago~ on 11 October. 6. While those events stand out as particularly signifi- cant, work proceeded in the Agency on a broad range of matters relating to its two chief tasks, namely, the promotion of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and participation in efforts to prevent the further proliferation of nuclear weapons. I should like first to address the energy issue and the Agency's work on it. 7. The most significant use of nuclear energy from an economic point of view is the production of electricity. Nuclear power's contribution to the world's current energy supply remains important and will become even more crucial in the future, even though some national programmes have been adjusted downward as the eco- nomic crisis has come gradually to reduce and over- shadow the energy crisis. Because of slow growth or no growth in the economies of many countries, total energy demand has slackened. Also, high energy prices have led to increased energy conservation, which is a welcome trend if it means more efficient use of energy and not merely cut-backs at the expense ofthe weakest economic groups. The slow-down in world energy consumption .should not lull us into complacency, however. If eco- NEW YORK nomic recovery is to continue and if there is to be more development, more energy will be needed, and the world must continue to shift away from its excessive reliance on oil. Today, only coal and nuclear power offer major alternatives. This is the conclusion not just of the lAEA, but also ofthe World Energy Conference, which held its Twelfth Congress at New Delhi from 18 to 23 September 1983. 8. Despite the continuation of a trend in some countries to reduce the number of nuclear reactors planned for construction, to delay their construction, or even to cancel some units under construction, nuclear power has made slow but steady progress in the past year. During 1982, 21 power reactors were newly connected to the grid, bringing the total number ofoperating units in the world to 297 at the end of the year. The number of operating reactors passed 300 early this year and continues to increase. Nuclear reactors now account for a significant fraction-about 10 per cent---of world electricity produc- tion, and we can foresee that fraction growing to close to 20 per cent by 1990. For some countries, of course, this fraction is much higher: France, Belgium, Finland, Sweden, Bulgaria and Switzerland are all now producing over 30 per cent of their electricity by nuclear power. France i~ planning to obtain 70 per cent of its electrical production from nuclear power by 1990. 9. These figures are not surprising, for the facts speak for nuclear power: its economic record, its safety record and, not least, its environmental record. Oil carries with it the hazard of polluting the oceans; lakes and forests are suffering because of acid rain; and there is worry about the possible greenhouse effect owing to increasing carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. Some of these ills, which are primarily the result of our use of fossil fuels, can-indeed, must-be reduced by technical means, but the simple fact remains that nuclear power is free of these negative effects. 10. One of the obstacles to increasing the use of nuclear power in developing countries has been that only large nuclear reactors are commercially available today, while in many cases existing electricity grids are not able to ,accept generation capacity increments of 600 megawatts or more. The IAEA has therefore initiated the first phase of a new study of the general case for small and medium- sized power reactors. The study should also devote some attention to the question of fmancing nuclear-generating plants, which are particularly capital-intensive. This prob- lem is felt especially by the developing countries, where capital is scarce. One might hope that world financial institutions would facilitate the availability of funds for this source ofenergy when it appears to be the best option and where adequate infrastructure and cadres exist. At a recent meeting on small and medium-sized reactors, it was noted, furthermore, that such reactors might also find a market in industrialized countries where load growth is slow or where there are isolated grids, or simply where better economic risk management is desired in expanding electric power systems. 11. While most of the work in the Agency on nuclear power is focused on the current conventional types of I prudence, intelligence, energy and professional skill, so that our organizations may attain a higher level of effi- ciency and responsiveness to the needs ofthe international community. This is a chall~nge to which we m.ust rise. / 49. The PRESIDENT (i1}/erpretation from Spanish): Before we begin the debate, I wish to propose that the list of speakers in the debate on this item be closed at 1p.m. today. IfI hear no objection, it will be so decided. It was so decided. 50. Mr. MARfN BOSCH (Mexico) (interpretation/rom Spanish): We would like to express our sincere thanks to the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Mr. Hans Blix, for his comprehensive and clear introduction ofthe annual report ofthe Agency. It is a particular pleasure fQr us to congratulate him, as well, on his enthusiastic dedication to the attainment of the objectives of the Agency and to the maintenance of its reputation as a technical, objective body. 51. Mexico attaches special significance to the work of the IAEA and, since its creation, has participated actively in its work. We interpret the fact that at present we are exercising the cbairmanship of the Board of Governors as recognition of this active participation by our country in the work of the Agency. 52. Article 11 of the Statute of the International Atomic EnergyAgencyestablishes that the objectiveoftheAgency is "to accelerate and enlarge the contribution of atomic energy to peace, health and prosperity throughout the world". And it adds that: "It shall ensure, so far as it is able, that assistance provided by it or at its request or under its supervision or control is not used in such a way as to further any military purpose." 53. We have chosen to quote this because, as we have said before, we are concerned at the intentions of some to distort those objectives and functions of the Agency. We are equally concerned that, 26 years after the estab- lishment of the IAEA and 13 years after the entry into force of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, the nuclear arms ra~ has not yet been stopped. 54. In this connection, I would like to quote from the statement just made by the Director General: i;'\i'~mt;:protection against military attacks against nuclear ilrmtaliations covered by the IAEA safeguards regime. 58. lil cun-clusion, I am pleased tu be able to inform the Assembly that, together with the two other members of the Boartl of Governors, Belgium and Bulgaria, we have just submitted a draft re.'\olution on the agenda item we are now considering. We hope L"!at the draft resolution will be adoptecl by consensus. 59. Mr. STEPHA,."IOU (Greece): On behalf of the ten member States of the European Community, I should like to thank the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency for his interesting and informative report on the work of the Agency in 1982.. 60. I should also like to express my appreciation of the comments the Director General has made on the devel- opments in the Agency during 1983. We were particularly pleased to hear his remarks on several significant and most welcome events that occurred in the Agency this year. I would mention in particular, first, the decision of the United States to resume, as from February, its active participation in the Agency after having suspended that participation last autumn. Secondly, I would note the convening last May at Seattle of the International Conference on Radioactive Waste Man'lgement, which was organized jointly by the Agency and the United States Department of Energy. Thirdly, there is the beginning of negotiations between the Agency and the Soviet Union on the latter's voluntary offer to submit some of its peaceful nuclear installations to Agency safeguards and, 71. It is the firm wish of the Ten and the Community that the close co-operation that exists between the Agency and the Community and its member States continues to develop both in the field of safeguards and in other fields of peaceful nuclear activities of common interest. 72. The close relationship between assurance of non~ proliferation and assurance of supplies has proved impor- tant in many deliberations on measures to facilitate international nuclear trade and co-operation. The Com- mittee on Assurances of Supply has already completed its third year of work. During the past year, the Com- mittee has succeeded in producing concrete results in the area of emergency and back-up mechanisms. It is our hope that the consensus obtained will facilitate discussion and agreement on principles of international co-operation in the field of nuclear energy. Some progress in this field has already been made, in particular during the last ses- sion of the Committee on Assurances of Supply. 73. During the past year no agreement was reached on the question of international plutonium storage. It is our sincere hope that the Board of Governors will agree next year to pursue attempts to solve this important aspect of the safeguards system. mo~ion of International Co-operation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy. The Agency's wealth of positive experience already gathered in this area can and must, in our opinion, be put to use at the Conference. For its part, the Soviet Union has been taking an active part in the preparations for the Conference. We look forward to the successful holding ofthis Conference in the interest of all States. 93. The Soviet Union has proposed the inclusion in the agenda of the Conference of a broad range of problems related to various aspects ofthe peaceful uses of nuclear energy, of interest to many States, including the over- whelming majority of the developing countries. Besides nuclear energy and its nuclear fuel-cycle, these include the use of radioactive isotopes and radiation in spheres such as industry, agriculture, medicine and science. It is quite clear that questions of the use of radioactive iso- topes and radiation are of direct interest to many States regardless of th\~ level of development oftheir economies. 94. In the cours~ of preparations for the Conference, the Soviet Union has consistently espoused the policy whereby all questions of international co-operation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy should be considered in close connection v.rith measures for the further strength- ening of the nuclear non-proliferation regime. Among these progr~mmes of the Agency's activities, related to nuclear energy, the programme on the safety of nuclear facilitie.s, primarily nuclear power stations, is ofparticular significance. 95. The Soviet Union has been taking an active part in Agen.::y work in the sphere of radiation safety. We advocate the establishment, within the framework of the Agency, of an information system on incidents in the nuclear power stations, which will make- possible more effective use of international experience on the operation of nuclear power reactors. 96. The programme of technical assistance and co- operation is of particular significance in the Agency's wOlk, and the Soviet Union attaches spflcial importance to it. The basic task, as we see it, is the provision of assistance to the developing countries in the training of cadres and in scientific research. The work of the Agency in the sphere oftechnical assistance, in our opinion, meets this task. In recent years, it can be observed that signifi- cant substantial progress has been made in this field. 97. Guided by its unswerving policy of support for the development of nuclear co-operation among the devel- oping countries, the Soviet Union has taken a decision to raise its voluntary contribution to the IAEA Technical Assistance and Co-operation Fund in 1984 to 1.9 million roubles. These funds will be used to finance projects related to the supply of equipment and instruments and also for the holding in our country of group studies and study tonrs. . 98. In order to provide the Agency with additional assistance to the non-nuclear-weapon States Parties to the TreatY'on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, the Soviet Union, in the 1984-1985 period, will also allo- cate 1 million roubles to finance technical assistance wi~h their means, on a voluntary basis, in the absence of any formal pressure. It is equally true that some of the contributing countries are beneficiaries themselves, 124. The Third Review Conference of the States Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weap- ons will be held in 1985. As before, the lAEA has an important role to play in its preparation, as well as during the Conference itself. Finland has traditionally attached major importanc~ to the non-proliferation re~ime and to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. We see the Treaty as one ofthe most significant achieve- ments in the field of disarmament. The Third Review Conference must be carefully prepared. Its success will be crucial for further efforts by the international com- munity towards nuclear disarmament. My Government pledges its full support for and active participation in the Third Review Conference. We are convinced that the lAEA will once again live up to its reputation as an effective organization by contributing to the preparations for the Conference. 125. In the foreseeable future, nuclear power will be a considerable source of energy for an increasing number ofcountries. It is therefore ever more imperative to estab- lish a consensus on the rules governing international co- operation in the field of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. The Agency should continue its efforts to pro- mote this co-operation in the transfer of nuclear mate- rials, equipment and technology for economic and social development. 126. At the same time, the Agency should strengthen the non-proliferation regime. This implies that there should be no supply assurances without an effective non- ~n the world from the point of view of international security. 132. In these days, when the world faces the real and increased danger of an outbreak of nuclear conflict, one need not emphasize the Agency's role in monitoring observance of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and in the development of the peaceful uses of atomic energy. That is a key role, and it should continue to be a key role. 133. Poland highly values the activity of the lAEA. We attach particular importance to its safeguards system, which is one ef the crucial instruments for preserving world pe::tce and security. In its strict observance of the provisions of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, in its universality and in its world-wide mandatory power, we have always seen a possibly most ~ossibilities of increasing the effectiveness of the pro- gramme of technical assistance. We see the efforts of the Agency in this light. 140. Inour opinion, the practiceofpreferringlong-range integrated programmes adapted to the socio-economic objectives of the country in question seems to be correct. We notice the considerable growth of activities in this field, based on the use of increased resources. Poland, within its possibilities, continues to make voluntary con- tributions to the lAEA Technical Assistance and Co- operation Fund. We firmly support the concept of vol- untary contributions payable in national currencies. 141. Poland continues to support the whole broad range of lAEA ~ctivities. Here I note in particular that the Agency's activities in the field of nuclear techniques in agriculture and food production-such as soil fertility, irrigation, plant breeding, studies of agro-chemicals and research into improving the productivity of animals and into food preservation-have our interest and support. 142. MyGovernment accepts the Agency's report, which it considers well reflects the role of the IAEA. We express our appreciation to the Director General, Mr. Hans Blix, and congratulate him on his consistency, energy and vision in guiding work so important to the nations of the world. NOTES 1International Atomic Energy Agency, The Annual Reportjor 1982 (Austria, August 1983); tra.nsmitted to the members of the General Assembly by a note of the Secretary-General (A/38/346 and Corr.l). 2Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter, signed in London, Mexico City, Moscow and Washington on 29 December B72 (United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1046, No. 15749, p. 138). 3United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 634, No. 9068, p. 326. 4See International Atomic Energy Agency, Resolutions and Other Decisions ojthe General Conference, Twenty-seventh Regular Session. sA/32/144, annex I.