A/79/PV.21 General Assembly

Before proceeding, I wish to advise the Assembly that the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency has informed me that he regrets that he is unable to attend today’s meeting to introduce the report of the Agency for 2023 and deliver a statement on the developments that have taken place since its publication. His prepared statement will be issued as document A/79/266/Add.1. I now give the floor to the representative of Ghana to introduce draft resolution A/79/L.7.

In Ghana’s capacity as Chair of the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), I have the honour to introduce the annual draft resolution on the report of the International Atomic Energy Agency, contained in document A/79/L.7, of 10 October 2024. At the outset, I wish to thank Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, for fulfilling the submission obligation of the Agency, in accordance with article 3, paragraph 1 (a) of the Agreement governing the relationship between the United Nations and the International Atomic Energy Agency, for the reporting period of 2023. The report of the Agency significantly captures the activities undertaken in 2023, including programmatic activities related to the development and transfer of nuclear science and technology, the enhancement of nuclear safety and security, and the strengthening of nuclear verification. The report has also adequately outlined the important strides made by the Agency in pursuit of its objective of accelerating and enlarging the contribution of atomic energy to peace, food security, health and sustainable development broadly, particularly in developing countries. The draft resolution that I am introducing today for consideration and adoption is one that has undergone consultations in Vienna and which enjoys the consensus of Member States. The draft resolution reflects the outcomes of the Agency’s sixty- eighth regular session, held from 16 to 20 September 2024, and includes updates to key resolutions, such as GC(68)/RES/8 on nuclear and radiation safety, GC(68)/RES/9 on nuclear security, GC(68)/RES/10 on strengthening the Agency’s technical cooperation activities and GC(68)/RES/11 on strengthening the Agency’s activities related to nuclear science, technology and applications. Furthermore, the draft resolution incorporates decisions GC(68)/DEC/9 and GC(68)/DEC/10, reflecting amendments to the Agency’s statute and efforts to promote efficiency and effectiveness in the decision-making process. By adopting the draft resolution, the General Assembly will affirm its strong support for the work of the Agency and recognize the importance of the cooperation between the United Nations and the Agency. It is important for me to put on record also that, during the open-ended informal consultations held in Vienna, “some IAEA member States noted that some of the sixty-eighth session of the IAEA General Conference resolutions were adopted by a vote. One member State dissociated itself from the resolution on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. With regard to the IAEA annual report 2023, one member State noted that it had the same reservation it expressed and circulated for the annual report 2022”. I commend to Member States the adoption of draft resolution A/79/L.7 without a recorded vote, that is, by consensus. I would also like to invite all other Member States that are here to sponsor the resolution to consider doing so before its adoption.

I now give the floor to the representative of the European Union, in its capacity as observer.

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union (EU) and its member States. North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia and Norway, as well as Monaco and San Marino, align themselves with the statement. We are pleased to join consensus on the report of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), highlighting the Agency’s indispensable role as outlined in its motto, “Atoms for peace and development”. We commend the IAEA Director General, Rafael Grossi, for his leadership. At the outset, we would like to stress that all resolutions adopted by the IAEA General Conference are equally valid. We reaffirm our strong support for the Agency’s technical independent and impartial work in a challenging geopolitical context. The European Union reiterates its firm support for the full, complete and effective implementation of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and its three pillars and continues to call for its universalization. We continue to fully support the establishment of a zone free of nuclear and all other weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems in the Middle East, as agreed at the 1995 Review and Extension Conference of the Parties to the NPT. The European Union supports the strengthening of the IAEA safeguards system, which is a fundamental component of the nuclear non-proliferation regime. The comprehensive safeguards agreements, together with the additional protocol, constitute the current verification standard under the NPT. We underline the primary responsibility of the Security Council in cases of non-compliance and encourage further diplomatic efforts to find peaceful solutions to proliferation crises, which represent a grave threat to international and regional peace and security. It is now more than two and a half years since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and its illegal seizure of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant. During that period, the nuclear safety and security situation at the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant has steadily deteriorated, and the Russian Federation’s massive attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure are increasing risks to the safe and secure operation of all of Ukraine’s nuclear power plants. Furthermore, through its illegal seizure of the plant, Russia diminishes the capacity of Ukraine to access all its energy infrastructure, including the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant, for the vital needs of its people and its economy. These are flagrant violations of international law, including the Charter of the United Nations and the very principles of the IAEA statute. Once again, the European Union calls on the Russian Federation to heed the IAEA Board of Governors and General Conference resolutions, urgently withdraw from the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant and fully respect Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. The European Union is grateful to IAEA for its crucial support and assistance at Ukraine’s nuclear power plants and for providing independent information. We stress the importance of the IAEA Director General’s seven indispensable pillars for ensuring nuclear safety and security during an armed conflict and the five concrete principles established to protect the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant, which must be respected. It is a key security priority for the EU to ensure that Iran does not acquire a nuclear weapon. The EU remains committed to a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear issue. In this context, we call on all countries to support the implementation of Security Council resolution 2231 (2015). We regret that Iran has not taken the necessary steps to return to its nuclear-related commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), to which the EU remains committed. Iran’s unabated nuclear advances have made a return to JCPOA increasingly challenging. The risk of a nuclear proliferation crisis in the region is increasing as a result of the country’s escalating nuclear trajectory. The EU commends the IAEA for its regular updates on its verification monitoring activities of Iran’s nuclear commitments under JCPOA and on the implementation of the NPT safeguards agreement in Iran. We urge Iran to reverse all proliferation-sensitive activities, to reapply the additional protocol and to resume implementation of all JCPOA-related monitoring and verification measures. The EU supports the Agency’s efforts to obtain progress from Iran on resolving safeguards issues and improving cooperation. It remains essential and urgent that Iran clarifies all outstanding safeguards issues. The resolution of June 2024 of the IAEA Board of Governors clearly sets out the steps to be taken urgently by Iran. We call upon the new Iranian Government to work with the Agency swiftly and substantially towards full compliance with its obligations under the comprehensive safeguards agreement. The European Union remains greatly concerned about the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s continued development of its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes, in clear violation of relevant Security Council resolutions. The EU urges the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to cease all unlawful activities and destabilizing actions, engage in meaningful discussions with all relevant parties to build a basis for sustainable peace and security, and take steps aimed at pursuing the complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. This includes the Agency’s return to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea must return to compliance with the NPT and the IAEA comprehensive safeguards agreement, as well as bringing into force the additional protocol. We urge the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to sign and ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea cannot and will never have the status of a nuclear-weapon State under the NPT. The EU commends IAEA for its updates on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. We fully support the recent IAEA General Conference resolution on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, and we welcomed its adoption without a vote. We attach utmost importance to nuclear safety and its continuous improvements and call on all States to make use of the IAEA review services. The European Union has built up an advanced, legally binding and enforceable nuclear safety legal framework, which is applicable in all member States of the European Atomic Energy Community. While the 2024 International Conference on Nuclear Security, held in Vienna, could not find consensus on the ministerial declaration, we welcome the commitments made by IAEA member States, in particular in the joint statement by the co-presidents, to keep nuclear security high on our agenda. We recognize the IAEA’s central role in facilitating international cooperation and assisting member States in building their capacities. In the light of the research and development of new technologies, such as small modular reactors, it is particularly important to ensure the highest level of nuclear safety and security, in accordance with IAEA safety standards and security guidance. We look forward to the upcoming IAEA technical document that will analyse the issues and challenges to nuclear safety and security during an armed conflict. The EU and its member States reaffirm their long-standing commitment to the IAEA’s Technical Cooperation Programme. We recognize the significant contribution of radiation and nuclear technology applications to peace, health and prosperity throughout the world, in particular in areas such as health and environmental protection, food security and safety, mitigation of the effects of climate change, water management and preservation of cultural heritage. The EU also welcomes the IAEA’s strong commitment to gender equality. In that regard, the EU is proud to be the largest donor to the IAEA Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship Programme. A gender perspective should be mainstreamed in all IAEA programmes and projects.

Costa Rica thanks the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Mariano Grossi, for his detailed report and congratulates him for his leadership in the current complex geopolitical climate. Under his leadership, the IAEA has strengthened its efforts to ensure nuclear security in conflict regions and has adopted a renewed approach to the peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology. We also highlight its ability to measure and verify international commitments. In that regard, let me emphasize four aspects of the Agency’s work. First, we highlight the crucial role of IAEA in ensuring that nuclear energy is used exclusively for peaceful purposes and in support of development. Programmes such as Zoonotic Disease Integrated Action (ZODIAC), Rays of Hope, NUTEC Plastics and Atoms4Food have had a direct impact on key areas such as health, sustainable agriculture and environmental protection. Costa Rica has been a direct beneficiary of IAEA technical cooperation, which has strengthened our capacity in disaster mitigation and nuclear safety. This technical support has been a transformative force in making progress on achieving our Sustainable Development Goals. Costa Rica highlights the importance of holding the Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Science, Technology and Applications and the Technical Cooperation Programme to be held in November 2024. We recognize that nuclear techniques are an integral part of technological solutions, and we underline the intrinsic connection between knowledge and development. As the co-chair of the previous conference, which took place in 2018, we invite all States to actively participate in this important event. Secondly, we applaud the Agency’s efforts to create programmes such as the IAEA Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship Programme that promote the equal participation of women in the nuclear field and strengthen innovation and development in the sector. We also underscore the significant progress made by the Agency towards achieving gender parity in the professional and higher categories, and we celebrate the progress made in 2023 towards the goal set by the Director General in 2020, which seeks to achieve gender parity at the professional and senior levels by 2025. By the end of 2023, women held 44.3 per cent of positions at the Agency, reaching a remarkable 50 per cent at senior management levels, a significant milestone in the quest for greater equity in an institution historically dominated by men. Costa Rica reaffirms its commitment to promoting and supporting these affirmative actions, but we must go further. This means having a talented and demographically diverse team that guarantees the formulation of more effective and innovative policies. Thirdly, Costa Rica stresses the importance of the IAEA’s work in nuclear security at a time when nuclear facilities are facing threats to their physical security. As one of the Member States benefiting from the International Nuclear Security Advisory Service (INSServ) missions, Costa Rica thanks the IAEA for the valuable guidance provided through that mission. We reiterate our commitment to implementing the recommendations received and working closely with the Agency to strengthen our national nuclear security regime. In the same vein, we reiterate our support for the seven pillars proposed by the Director General to ensure nuclear safety, especially in conflict situations. We urge the parties involved to respect these principles, paying particular attention to the critical situation at the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant in Ukraine, where the risk of a nuclear accident remains alarming. Costa Rica recognizes that IAEA remains the only independent source of information for the international community on this issue and values the reports and updates that the Director General regularly provides to the Security Council on the situation. Fourthly, Costa Rica wishes to highlight the important role that the Agency plays in building a world free of nuclear weapons. Its safeguards activities provide credible assurances on the absence of nuclear material and undeclared nuclear activities. They serve as a powerful measure of confidence-building. Its support for States in our efforts to create and implement nuclear-weapon-free zones brings us closer, step by step, block by block, to a more peaceful and secure future. Despite the challenges on the international stage, which are increasingly numerous and complex, Costa Rica recognizes the technical competence, professionalism and impartiality of the IAEA. All these qualities have earned it a solid reputation and a high degree of trust from the international community. For all these reasons, Costa Rica once again reiterates its constant and unequivocal support for the work of the Agency.

The Republic of Belarus welcomes the discussion on the report of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on the Agency’s activities in 2023. We note that, over the past few years, the IAEA’s work is increasingly affected by such factors as global politics, global energy and food crises, as well as the climate change process. The main challenge for the IAEA has to do with attacks and provocations on a number of nuclear facilities, specifically the Kursk and Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plants. The Republic of Belarus emphatically condemns attacks on energy infrastructure and nuclear power plants. We call upon the leadership of the IAEA to immediately and strongly react to such instances, which pose a grave threat to nuclear safety and security at nuclear power plants. To the credit of the Agency, it is delivering upon its mandate successfully, and it is adequately responding to all challenges that arise. In this regard, we welcome Rafael Grossi’s effective leadership of the Agency, and we highly appreciate the work of IAEA personnel in ensuring nuclear safety and security throughout the world. We consistently advocate for strengthening the Agency as a critical international organization. We believe that the high standing of the IAEA is attributable to the apolitical nature of its mandate. This body needs to maintain a distance from political issues and strictly adhere to its thematic mandates. We state this in connection with the fact that some States have been tempted to politicize the so-called specialized discussion and to bring into these discussions issues related to bilateral relations. We welcome the flagship initiatives of the IAEA, namely the Zoonotic Disease Integrated Action (ZODIAC), Rays of Hope and NUTEC Plastics, as well as the recent initiative of the Director General, entitled Atoms4Food. Through the implementation of its mandate, the IAEA is delivering meaningful assistance for States to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. I wish to touch upon some facets of the cooperation of Belarus with the IAEA. Our country is proactively leveraging the whole gamut of instruments provided by the Agency, from assessment missions to the Technical Cooperation Programme. In recent years, we have conducted all the assessments of the Agency recommended to States who built their first nuclear power plant. All the missions were very useful for Belarus. The results of the work, namely the recommendations and proposals, formed the basis for our national action plans. Reports on the results of the mission are openly accessible on the IAEA website. This reaffirms Belarus’s willingness to engage in transparent and responsible cooperation. We consider it important to maintain a constructive, expert-level dialogue on nuclear security issues. We stand ready to engage in such dialogue with the participation of all stakeholders and are willing to provide the necessary information. We intend to continue to proactively leverage all of the services provided by the Agency. The Technical Cooperation Programme remains relevant. It enhances the effectiveness of the training of staff for nuclear energy sectors, helps to ensure nuclear and radiation safety and security, and contributes significantly to the development of nuclear medicine and the sustainable development of territories that were affected by the Chornobyl nuclear power plant disaster. In this context, Belarus welcomes the Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Science, Technology and Applications and the Technical Cooperation Programme, to be held in Vienna in November. We trust that the Conference will become a source of regular dialogue and a tool for integrating nuclear science into national strategies to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Belarus is no longer just a recipient of advisory and technical assistance from the Agency but also a donor. We stand ready to share this experience with stakeholders. Belarus’s specialists and experts now regularly engage in technical conferences and webinars. They share experience on the implementation of nuclear energy programmes and the development of nuclear power. We highly value the IAEA safeguards system, and we attribute great significance to the further reinforcement of the system. We believe that it is fundamentally important that, in the course of such improvement, the safeguards mechanism remains clear, objective, non-politicized and based on the rights and obligations of the parties in accordance with their safeguards agreements. The first nuclear power plant, consisting of two Generation III+ power units with a total capacity of 2,400 megawatt, is now in operation in Belarus. The Belarus nuclear power plant makes it possible to meet about 40 per cent of domestic electricity needs and to annually substitute up to 5 billion cubic metres of natural gas, which contributes to a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Two weeks ago, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi and other Agency officials visited the Belarus nuclear power plant and had the opportunity to see the safe and efficient operation of the facility for themselves. We highly appreciate that visit, during which the Director General also met with the President of the Republic of Belarus for a thorough discussion of the full range of cooperation areas. In conclusion, we reaffirm our support for the IAEA’s activities and join the consensus on draft resolution A/79/L.7.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) plays a key role in navigating our rapidly evolving nuclear landscape. It continues to be an indispensable partner for Member States in upholding nuclear safety, security and safeguards globally, while also ensuring that countries benefit from the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. We commend Director General Grossi and the Agency’s staff for adroitly navigating the challenging landscape of 2023. We also appreciate the active engagement of Ambassador Vivian Okeke and her team at the IAEA’s Liaison Office in New York. Singapore’s support for the Agency’s mandate remains steadfast, and we are proud to once again co-sponsor the draft resolution entitled “Report of the International Atomic Energy Agency” (A/79/L.7). Allow me to make four brief points. First, the IAEA remains a cornerstone of the global non-proliferation regime through its verification of States’ compliance with their safeguards obligations. Despite the challenging geopolitical environment and the de-designation of its experienced inspectors in 2023, the IAEA continued to work with Iran on its outstanding safeguards issues and the commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Singapore underscores that all States parties to the Treaty on the Non- Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) must meet their obligations under their comprehensive safeguards agreements and the Additional Protocol, regardless of the status of extraneous agreements. We also call on non-nuclear-weapon States that have yet to conclude a comprehensive safeguards agreement or an additional protocol to do so without delay so that the Agency can provide the usual assurances of the peaceful nature of their nuclear programmes. Secondly, the IAEA did commendable work in 2023 supporting Member States’ efforts to strengthen nuclear safety and security globally. Singapore participated in the joint eighth and ninth Review Meetings of the Contracting Parties to the Convention on Nuclear Safety last March. We also continued to engage actively in the discussions of the IAEA’s Safety Standards Committees, including in the Emergency Preparedness and Response Standards Committee, to ensure that the IAEA standards documents reflect high international standards for the peaceful use of nuclear and radiation applications. We continue to work closely with the IAEA in the implementation of our country programme framework for the period from 2021 to 2025. Thirdly, Singapore commends the IAEA for its work and dedication in ensuring nuclear safety, security and safeguards in Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict despite the risk posed to its staff. We remain deeply concerned by the Agency’s assessment that the situation remains precarious at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant, where all the Director General’s seven indispensable pillars have been compromised either fully or partially. We reiterate the importance of upholding both the seven pillars and the five concrete principles elaborated by the Director General in May 2023 not only at the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant but also at all nuclear power plants in Russia and Ukraine. Those risks underscore the urgency of finding a peaceful solution to the conflict. We urge all parties to work towards the immediate cessation of military action and a return to diplomacy for a peaceful settlement of the dispute in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and international law. Fourthly, Singapore will always support the inalienable right of all States to peaceful nuclear technology, in accordance with article IV of the NPT. As a long- standing supporter of the IAEA’s Technical Cooperation Programme, Singapore views the Cooperation Programme as indispensable to supporting developing Member States, in particular least developed countries and small island developing States, in leveraging nuclear science and technology in attaining the Sustainable Development Goals. In that regard, the Director General’s flagship initiatives Rays of Hope, Nuclear Technology for Controlling Plastic Pollution and the Zoonotic Disease Integrated Action, among others, deserve special mention. We also commend the IAEA for launching the Atoms4Food initiative in 2023, which will assist Member States in boosting food security and tackling growing hunger. We are proud that the National University of Singapore’s Centre for Ion Beam Applications was designated as the first IAEA Collaborating Centre in Singapore in 2023, and we hope to do more with the IAEA moving forward. Singapore sought to be a principled and constructive member during its term on the IAEA Board of Governors from 2022 to 2024. We will continue to contribute meaningfully as a non-Board member, and we stand ready to work with the IAEA and all Member States to ensure that the Agency is able to effectively discharge its worthy mandate.

The Principality of Monaco associates itself with the statement of the European Union. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is an important and unfailing partner of the international community. It is a genuine catalyst for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. The Principality wishes to reaffirm its full support for the Agency’s mandate and work, and we are delighted to once again co- sponsor the draft resolution entitled “Report of the International Atomic Energy Agency” (A/79/L.7). The report (see A/79/266) highlights the main achievements of the International Atomic Energy Agency in the key areas of access to technology, verification and nuclear safety and security, as well as technical cooperation and capacity-building. The extensive applications of nuclear science and technology can directly help countries to achieve more than half of the Sustainable Development Goals and can indirectly contribute to the achievement of each of them. As the Assembly knows, the Principality pays particular attention to protecting the oceans and, more broadly, preserving our environment. Since 1961, Monaco has been home to the IAEA Marine Environment Laboratories. As the only laboratories in the United Nations system dedicated to the marine environment, they provide IAEA member States with the tools and knowledge that they need to understand and resolve some of the most pressing challenges facing the seas and oceans. In that regard, they are taking part in the Nuclear Technology for Controlling Plastic Pollution initiative as part of the IAEA’s efforts to combat plastic pollution by recycling using radiation technology and monitoring the marine environment using isotope tracing techniques. They will also analyse samples taken as part of the first scientific research expedition to study the presence of microplastics in Antarctica, carried out jointly by the IAEA and Argentina’s Antarctic Institute. In addition, the new laboratory specializing in plastics will considerably increase the Agency’s capacity to carry out analysis and offer training to member States, which we welcome. The Principality has long been aware that the consequences of nuclear safety and security know no borders. The fact that Monaco hosted the international Scientific Conference on the Disposal of Radioactive Wastes in 1959 is proof of that. The Principality fully appreciates the essential role played by the IAEA in supporting the implementation and continuous improvement of international nuclear safety and security standards. However, in order for the Agency to continue to fulfil its mandate effectively, each Member State has a responsibility to collaborate closely and actively with it. In that regard, Monaco shares the concerns expressed today about the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant. The seven essential pillars of nuclear safety and security set out by the Director General of the IAEA, as well as the five basic principles of nuclear safety and security in the event of armed conflict, must be respected. The IAEA’s technical cooperation and capacity-building efforts clearly contribute to helping developing Member States to achieve their development goals. Monaco has provided ongoing support for the IAEA’s work in the fight against cancer since 2007. Just a month ago, the Government of Monaco renewed its funding agreement with the Agency for the Rays of Hope initiative to support the creation of radiotherapy units to improve cancer prevention and treatment. In addition, on the issue of the oceans, in August 2023, the IAEA organized the Workshop on Ocean Change and Blue Carbon in Monaco, combining practical and theoretical sessions, to enable Member States to conduct relevant research on blue carbon and develop optimal evidence-based solutions. Finally, at Monaco Ocean Week in 2023, the IAEA presented the impacts of emerging chemicals on marine ecosystems and organisms with a view to improving knowledge-sharing. That is a significant contribution to achieving the objectives of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Sciences for Sustainable Development. I cannot conclude my statement without expressing my delegation’s deep gratitude to the staff of the IAEA and its Director General, Mr. Rafael Mariano Grossi, for the professionalism, impartiality and technical competence that they have demonstrated in carrying out their duties over the past year.

Mexico thanks Director General Grossi for the submission of the report of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for 2023 (see A/79/266). In addition to the usual work of the IAEA, Mexico would particularly like to acknowledge the hands-on work of the Director General in relation to Ukraine, Iran and Fukushima. In keeping with Mexico’s commitment to the International Atomic Energy Agency, my country assumes its responsibility to implement the National System of Accounting and Control of Nuclear Materials and the verifications carried out by the IAEA under safeguards agreements, complemented by the inspections carried out by Mexico’s regulatory body in that field. We agree with the IAEA regarding the importance of signing the various conventions on non-proliferation and nuclear safety and security, which help to strengthen international peace and security. We reaffirm the importance of respecting the seven pillars of nuclear safety and security and the five principles for the protection of the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant. A possible accident involving the release of radioactive material into the environment would cause serious problems for the population and the international environment. My country supports the IAEA’s commendable work in Ukraine and the professionalism of the mission deployed in Zaporizhzhya. Security is of great importance to Mexico. For that reason, an integrated nuclear security sustainability plan was established together with the International Atomic Energy Agency, endorsed by the Agency in 2023. We have been making progress in the six functional areas of that plan, engaging various institutions involved in nuclear security at the national level. In order to strengthen national capacities in nuclear security, Mexico continues to strengthen the training of personnel involved in that area, with the support of the IAEA in the area of detection and response to criminal or unauthorized acts involving materials not under regulatory control. In addition, actions have been initiated with the IAEA to increase the Mexican Government’s capabilities in the area of nuclear security for high-impact events, in particular for the holding of the FIFA 2026 World Cup, in which Mexico will be one of the three venues for that great event. Mexico is closely following the progress made by the Agency in the harmonization and standardization of small modular reactors, in particular aspects related to licensing and regulation. My country participates in the training activities carried out by the IAEA on that issue, and we hope that such technology will be a viable energy and economic alternative for the international community in the short term. With regard to nuclear safety, Mexico attaches the highest priority to that issue, and we will actively participate in the tenth Review Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Convention on Nuclear Safety, to be held in March 2025. We also look forward to the changes to the Convention’s guidelines in order to maintain a balance in the long term between the effectiveness and the efficiency of that international instrument. We appreciate the section of the report that refers to new technologies and the integration of artificial intelligence in new applications under the title “Artificial Intelligence for Good”. It is an area that cannot escape the international community’s attention, and we must capitalize on benefits, while reducing risks. Mexico will continue to resolutely support the mandate and work of the Agency and its key verification responsibility under safeguards agreements, which is essential in an uncertain international context. We emphasize that safeguards are international obligations to which a State party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons is committed, and that there is no room for politicization. We continue to trust in the International Atomic Energy Agency as the guarantor of its technical instrumentation. Finally, Mexico recognizes and reiterates that the Agency’s professionalism in this international context has been decisive. In addition to its Director General, we also particularly recognize his entire team, both in Vienna and in New York.

Uruguay would like to thank the officials of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for the submission of the annual report for 2023 (see A/79/266) and for the excellent work that they have carried out at the head of the Agency in a challenging geopolitical context. The work of the International Atomic Energy Agency in the areas of nuclear technology, safety and security, verification and monitoring, as well as cooperation, education and fostering know-how, has become increasingly relevant and necessary. In the current circumstances, we should continue to promote the exclusively peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology and safeguard future generations from a possible nuclear catastrophe. Uruguay champions the observance of and respect for international legal norms in the areas of disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation. In that context, we recognize the IAEA’s important role in preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons through its safeguards. As a State that has ratified its Additional Protocol, my country is committed to preventing the dissemination of nuclear material for non-peaceful uses or its appropriation by terrorist groups. International cooperation is essential for developing countries. In that regard, we appreciate all the cooperation that we have received from the IAEA on the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and its positive implications for human well-being. We particularly acknowledge and value the work carried out by the Department of Technical Cooperation, with which we maintain regular and close contact. We are grateful for the cooperation received, in terms of both inputs and human resources training, and we applaud the implementation of the Zoonotic Disease Integrated Action, Nuclear Technology for Controlling Plastic Pollution, Rays of Hope and Atoms4Food programmes, which support the work of the Agency and the Technical Cooperation Programme. We are convinced that the cooperation provided by the Agency is the best way to promote nuclear technology for peaceful uses in the interest of the progress and well-being of humankind in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda for the Sustainable Development. We express our appreciation for the IAEA’s support in key areas such as regulatory infrastructure, human resources training and education in security, inspections, radioactive waste, medical applications and the use of new equipment and support technologies. Uruguay attaches special importance to regional projects, in particular the Regional Cooperation Agreement for the Promotion of Nuclear Science and Technology in Latin America and the Caribbean. It has unquestionably proved to be a successful instrument for regional cooperation, in which we have actively participated. Uruguay has implemented several technical cooperation projects within the framework of the Regional Cooperation Agreement, while we are also committed to carrying out other regional and subregional projects. Finally, my country reaffirms its deepest commitment to the IAEA and the application of safeguards and encourages all Member States to fully comply with their obligations and respect their commitments in relation to arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation, with respect to all types of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery, as an effective way to contribute to international peace and security.

Chile welcomes the annual report of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for 2023 (see A/79/266). We thank the Director General, Mr. Rafael Grossi, the secretariat and all the officials of the Agency for their hard work during this time. We would also like to acknowledge the representative of Ghana for having introduced this year’s draft resolution (A/79/L.7), which we co-sponsored, and we congratulate him on his country’s election as Chair of the IAEA Board of Governors. We take this opportunity to reiterate that Chile has been and will continue to be a strong promoter of general and complete disarmament, prioritizing a broad, transparent and democratic multilateral debate. We strongly support disarmament regimes for weapons of mass destruction, including the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, and we adhere to the principle of the indivisibility of international security, since all States, regardless of their size or power, have a responsibility to contribute to establishing an international order based on cooperation and governed by international law. We reiterate our firm commitment to the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, in accordance with the provisions of article III of the Agency’s Statute, recognizing the contribution that the use of such energy can make to global efforts to achieve the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, such as those pertaining to health, agriculture, water and food, among other things. We recognize the professional, technical and independent work being done by the IAEA and the important role that it plays in safeguards, security and safety, technical cooperation, the promotion and facilitation of research, development and the practical application of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. We appreciate the Agency’s role in promoting and facilitating research, development and the practical application of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes within flagship initiatives such as the Rays of Hope, Zoonotic Disease Integrated Action, Atoms4Food and Nuclear Technology for Controlling Plastic Pollution initiatives. The latter project is of great interest to Chile in the implementation of our turquoise foreign policy, which prioritizes initiatives focused on combating and mitigating the global climate crisis and on the ocean protection and management agendas. Chile also attaches great importance to the Technical Cooperation Programme. Indeed, interregional, regional and bilateral projects form the backbone of Chile’s work with the IAEA. Those initiatives are examples of an agile and rapid response to the specific needs of each Member State, as they translate into direct and tangible benefits for our communities. In that context, the 2023 annual report describes a number of activities hosted in our national territory in which representatives of my country participated. In fact, Chile’s bilateral cooperation programme covers several priority areas, such as human health, the environment, food safety and radiation safety. We highlight the work carried out with the Regional Cooperation Agreement for the Promotion of Nuclear Science and Technology in Latin America and the Caribbean, which celebrates its fortieth anniversary this year and is chaired by my country. In the same vein, I would like to mention the management of disused sealed radioactive sources thanks to the training and assistance provided, which enable the removal of such sources in Chile. We are proud that in my country, in March 2023, radiation oncologists from the region will graduate from the third edition of the master’s course in advanced radiotherapy, which is supported by the Agency. We are also proud to point out that Chile has a feminist foreign policy, which is seen as an effort to establish the guiding principles of equality and non-discrimination in Chile’s international activities. In that regard, we value the contributions of women, which are fundamental to the field of nuclear science, technology and applications, as well as the activities associated with the work of the IAEA. In the field just mentioned, the positive impact of the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship Programme and the Lise Meitner initiative is noteworthy. We welcome the Agency’s efforts to support the equal participation of women in nuclear science and technology. We note the need for up-to-date statistics, disaggregated by gender and by region, on the Agency’s activities, particularly in the area of technical cooperation. The Agency should also continue to ensure parity in discussion panels and support for civil society organizations that bring together scientific professionals in the peaceful use of nuclear energy. In the area of safeguards, my country ensures that information on the use and design of its nuclear facilities, as well as the nuclear materials that it possesses, is kept up to date. Rigorous controls are therefore maintained to ensure that nuclear materials are not diverted to other non-peaceful uses and undeclared activities. Consequently, we share in the Agency’s concern regarding nuclear infrastructure located in Ukraine, and we join in the request for there to be no military action that might endanger the safety or integrity of those plants. Chile recognizes the importance of the technical work carried out by the IAEA in this area, and we urge it to maintain its personnel on-site in nuclear facilities on Ukrainian territory. Furthermore, we highlight the importance of the seven key pillars of technological and physical nuclear safety and security and the five principles aimed at safeguarding the Zaporizhzhya installation.

Australia thanks the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for its report (see A/79/266), and Ghana for introducing draft resolution A/79/L.7, which Australia is pleased to sponsor. Australia has always been a strong supporter of the independence, mandate and technical authority of the IAEA. Under the leadership of Director General Grossi, the Agency’s staff work diligently, professionally and impartially to deliver outcomes across the IAEA’s remit, and we are proud to support their work through the resolutions and decisions mentioned in this draft resolution. This year’s IAEA General Conference again occurred against the backdrop of several significant threats to global peace and security, making the work of the IAEA more important than ever. As Russia’s illegal and immoral war against Ukraine continues, the Agency’s support for Ukrainian nuclear facilities is critical. We were proud to support the resolution on nuclear safety, security and safeguards in Ukraine, led by Canada and Finland. We reiterate our call on Russia to withdraw immediately from Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant and from all of Ukraine, and reject any suggestion that sham referendums and forcible occupation have resulted in any change to Ukrainian sovereignty. We further welcome Canada’s leadership on the resolution on implementation of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) safeguards agreement between the Agency and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. We are disappointed that one delegation chose to dissociate itself from the resolution, but note the ongoing consensus. We call for a strong and united response by the international community to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s provocations, and we urge the country to permit the return of IAEA safeguards inspectors, sign and ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty and take steps towards returning to full compliance with IAEA safeguards and the NPT as a non- nuclear-weapon State. Australia remains seriously concerned by Iran’s protracted failure to comply with its NPT safeguards obligations. We call on Iran to cease its escalatory actions and to implement in full and without delay the joint statement of 4 March 2023. We thank the Agency for its professionalism, impartiality and dedication with respect to its crucial work in Iran. Australia is pleased that all technical resolutions were once again passed by consensus. We are proud to have contributed to this endeavour through our coordination of the resolution on nuclear and radiation safety. That resolution agreed new technical priorities for the Agency on artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, fusion energy and addressing denials of shipments. We are also pleased to have secured 46 co-sponsors, reflecting the importance and value of the Agency’s work on safety. We regret that some Member States again disrupted the smooth negotiation of a number of technical resolutions over issues with gender equality. Australia is committed to advancing gender equality and supports gender mainstreaming in all the activities of the Agency. We strongly believe that gender equality should be an uncontroversial feature of the Agency’s work, in line with the international commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 5. We welcome the Director General’s continued commitment to providing updates to the Board of Governors on developments relating to naval nuclear propulsion, as he deems appropriate. We welcome constructive discussions in the Board on naval nuclear propulsion on the basis of those updates. Finally, we welcome resolutions approving the applications of the Cook Islands and Somalia for membership in the Agency. We are particularly pleased to welcome another member from the Pacific region. Australia continues to be a strong supporter of the Agency’s full mandate to support global efforts to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and to promote the safe, secure and peaceful uses of nuclear technology for those who choose to use it. Australia was proud to announce, at the General Conference, additional extrabudgetary funding of 8 million Australian dollars to support the IAEA’s technical cooperation, nuclear applications and nuclear safety and security work, with a focus on the Indo-Pacific region. In addition, Australia’s nuclear agencies will continue to provide in-kind support to the IAEA across the full remit of its activities. We will seek to deliver tangible outcomes in technical cooperation and research, including in relation to cancer diagnostic and treatment technologies, strengthening regional radiation safety and addressing ocean plastics pollution. We are pleased to support this draft resolution to adopt the IAEA’s annual report.

Luxembourg fully aligns itself with the statement delivered on behalf of the European Union. I wish to emphasize a few points in our national capacity. I thank the Permanent Representative of Ghana for introducing the draft resolution (A/79/L.7) dedicated to the report of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) (A/79/266). Luxembourg has sponsored the draft resolution, and we welcome in advance its adoption. I also wish to thank the Director General of the IAEA, Rafael Mariano Grossi, for his written statement to present the annual report on the work of the Agency. I wish to reaffirm Luxembourg’s support for the Agency, the role of which is crucial. Challenges related to nuclear proliferation require the full attention of the Agency. The war of aggression waged against Ukraine, a sovereign country that renounced nuclear weapons, by Russia, a nuclear Power, is a flagrant violation of international law and the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. Russian forces continue to occupy the Zaporizhzhya Ukrainian nuclear plant. These acts, amid so many others, perpetrated over the course of the aggression, are unacceptable. They jeopardize nuclear safety and security in Ukraine, and they undermine global security architecture. Nuclear power plants are not designed to resist armed conflicts. Russia must cease its occupation of the plant. Military activities in the region expose us to the risk of a major nuclear accident at Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, with devastating human and environmental consequences. We reiterate the importance of all parties ensuring respect for the seven critical pillars and the five principles introduced in 2022 by the IAEA to ensure the safety and security of nuclear facilities during armed conflicts. As the situation in Ukraine continues to deteriorate, developments in other regions remain equally alarming. For more than five years, Iran has been violating its commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). As Iran continues to progressively hollow out the agreement, the country continues to deny and reject any meaningful cooperation with the IAEA. Luxembourg calls upon Iran to return to meeting its commitments under the JCPOA and to engage in dialogue with the Agency. The nuclear activities of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea undermine international security and all the efforts to achieve a lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula. Luxembourg urges the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to comply with all its international obligations and to abandon its nuclear programme, as well as its ballistic missiles programme, in a complete, verifiable and irreversible way. In that context, we reaffirm the importance of the entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. Luxembourg also regrets the fact that there is still scant clarification related to the Deir ez-Zor site in Syria. We call upon Syria to fully cooperate with the IAEA. The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) remains the cornerstone of the international architecture for nuclear disarmament and non- proliferation. Luxembourg respects the inalienable right of all countries to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes in accordance with article IV of the NPT. However, for Luxembourg the use of nuclear energy is not a sustainable means of achieving climate neutrality. So long as States choose to use that technology, they must respect the most stringent norms with regard to safety and security. It is precisely for that reason that we fully support the indispensable efforts of the IAEA and that we continue to further our support for its Technical Cooperation Fund. As a newly elected member of the IAEA’s Board of Governors, Luxembourg welcomes the opportunity to participate more fully in the activities of the Agency and to engage further in support of nuclear safety and security and non-proliferation throughout the world.

At the outset, my delegation wishes to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and his team for the report (see A/79/266), which provides an overview of the ongoing efforts undertaken by the Agency to attain the goal of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. The report provides an overview of the Agency’s activities in the areas of nuclear technology, technical cooperation, nuclear technical safety and security, as well as safeguards. I wish to applaud those efforts, as well as reiterate our position. In principle, we stress the natural and inalienable right of States to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, as the foundation of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) in terms of non-proliferation. We stress the importance of States’ compliance with their obligations under the general safeguards agreement and the provisions of article III, paragraph 3, of the NPT, which stipulates that the safeguards should not be implemented in a manner that hampers international cooperation in the field of peaceful uses. My country values the fruitful cooperation that has been undertaken with the IAEA since 2004, through the Technical Cooperation Programme. That has helped us to benefit from nuclear technology in a safe, secure, effective and less costly manner and has also helped us to combat diseases, measure and control radiation and protect the environment and residents, specifically individuals working in the area of healthcare cooperation, based on the signing, in September 2009, for the first time, of the country programme framework on cooperation between Mauritania and the Agency. That is a programme that has helped us to establish ways to use of nuclear energy to advance development at the national level. We signed a second agreement for the 2014–2018 period and a third for the 2020–2025 period. We have established priorities for cooperation, which include improving capacity-building in the areas of combating cancer, improving access to diagnostics and high-quality treatment and improving capabilities in ensuring food security, as well as reducing environmental pollution and improving radiation safety and security. At the continental level, in September 2022, we deposited an instrument of acceptance of the African Regional Cooperative Agreement for Research, Development and Training related to Nuclear Science and Technology to take advantage of the peaceful uses of nuclear power stipulated under the agreement, with a view to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals at the national and regional levels. We recognize the important role of the IAEA, which allows Member States to benefit from the infinite development capabilities of nuclear energy and technology. At the same time, the IAEA should effectively contribute to nuclear non-proliferation, and in so doing implement the mandate stipulated under the resolutions on the application of IAEA safeguards in the Middle East. Therefore, the IAEA should contribute to accelerating the establishment of a zone free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East, as stipulated in the 1995 Review and Extension Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non- Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the relevant United Nations decisions, in particular decision 73/546. Two such Review Conferences — the ninth, held in 2015, and the tenth, held in 2022 — did not result in an outcome document supporting peaceful uses. That casts a negative light on the nuclear disarmament and non- proliferation regimes at the international level. That is compounded by the genocidal, brutal war waged by Israel against innocent civilians in Gaza over the past year, not to mention the inhumane calls that accompany it, especially the irresponsible, reckless calls for the use of nuclear bombs against the residents of the Gaza Strip. By chairing the fifth session of the Conference on the Establishment of a Middle East Zone Free of Nuclear Weapons and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction, to be held in November, Mauritania aspires to continue its active contribution to efforts to establish a zone free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East. We look forward to the Agency’s active participation, as well as to discussions to further build on the architecture of disarmament and peaceful uses and international security.

Egypt would like to express its appreciation to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and its Director General, Mr. Grossi, for their vital role in enhancing cooperation in the field of peaceful uses of nuclear energy. That role has taken on a new dimension in the past few years, with the many initiatives launched by the Director General to enhance the benefits for countries of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, the latest of which is the Atoms4Food initiative and the Rays of Hope initiative to treat cancer tumours. The IAEA is also making efforts to promote atomic energy and is increasing its contribution to efforts to combat climate change, enhance climate adaptation and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. That was demonstrated during the twenty-seventh Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, held in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, and the twenty- eighth Conference of the Parties, held in Abu Dhabi, and then at the Nuclear Energy Summit in March 2024, held in Brussels. Therefore, once again we call for increasing funding and necessary financial resources to allow the IAEA to carry out its functions in that regard in a sufficient, sustainable and predictable manner. Egypt reaffirms that the IAEA is the only entity that is authorized at the international level to issue reports to verify that countries are complying with their obligations in the field of nuclear non-proliferation. It also plays a vital role, pursuant to its statute, in advancing the efforts of nuclear disarmament and verifying the elimination of nuclear weapons. Therefore, the IAEA has an important role in maintaining international peace and security and implementing all the obligations in the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, including article VI. Furthermore, the IAEA plays a vital role in supporting efforts to establish a zone free of nuclear weapons in the Middle East, pursuant to its mandate stipulated under annual General Conference resolutions on the application of IAEA safeguards in the Middle East. We look forward to taking further practical steps to implement the resolutions. In that regard, we also express our appreciation for the valuable and continued participation of the IAEA secretariat in the work of the Conference on the Establishment of a Middle East Zone Free of Nuclear Weapons and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction. We look forward to its participation in the fifth session of the Conference, in November. We expect to have substantive discussions on various technical aspects related to the establishment of such a zone, thus opening the door for the secretariat to provide further technical contributions regarding its experiences in establishing such zones around the world, verifying their sustainability and strengthening opportunities for cooperation in the field of peaceful uses. We also look forward to the adoption by consensus of the draft resolution on the IAEA annual report (A/79/L.7), of which we are proud to be a sponsor. We express our appreciation for the efforts of the Director General in preparing the report and the efforts of Ghana in preparing and submitting the draft resolution. In conclusion, we renew our support for the IAEA and its Director General. We look forward to further cooperation and coordination with the secretariat, especially in view of the progress in the peaceful nuclear programme “El Dabaa project” to establish nuclear power plants to generate electric power. We also hope to advance the technical aspects of the IAEA’s work to protect it from political polarization, thus enabling it to carry out its functions in a manner that maintains its strong credibility in the international community.

At the outset, I would like to express El Salvador’s appreciation for the convening of this annual plenary debate on the presentation of the annual report of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) (see A/79/266). My country is proud to be a sponsor of draft resolution A/79/L.7, presented by the representative of Ghana in its capacity as Chair of the IAEA Board of Governors. This reflects El Salvador’s firm commitment to the crucial work carried out by the Agency in the areas of disarmament, non-proliferation and the promotion of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. El Salvador welcomes the IAEA’s annual report for 2023. In that context, we recognize the leadership of the Director General, Rafael Mariano Grossi. We welcome the IAEA’s various activities, in particular in the areas of technical capacity-building, as well as activities related to science, technology and nuclear applications, which are fundamental to addressing global challenges, such as fighting cancer and zoonotic diseases and working on energy security. Furthermore, El Salvador recognizes the IAEA’s valuable work in implementing its safeguards system to ensure the peaceful use of nuclear energy. In that context, we value the potential of nuclear energy to address the increasing demand for energy around the world. My country is undertaking a national process to diversify the energy matrix in order to curb dependence on external resources, improve environmental sustainability and change the living conditions of our Salvadoran population through the generation of affordable energy, which allows us to reach our development goals. In that context, we have deposited ratification instruments for conventions on nuclear safety, on civil liability for nuclear damage, as well as the Agreement on the Privileges and Immunities of the International Atomic Energy Agency. At the national level, we have adopted a law to establish the National Agency for the Implementation of the Nuclear Energy Programme in El Salvador, known as OIPEN, which is tasked with crafting, leading and implementing national policies to incorporate nuclear energy as a source of nuclear electric generation. We are grateful for the support provided by the IAEA through its Division for Latin America and the Caribbean of the Department of Technical Cooperation. That support has been essential in allowing us to identify opportunities for cooperation and in making headway in the IAEA’s milestones approach to assessing the national status of the nuclear infrastructure. El Salvador is currently in the first phase of that process, and has made significant progress in establishing a clear road map for the roll out of the rest of the process. Given the importance that we grant to those efforts, El Salvador has expressed its interest in joining the IAEA’s Board of Governors and has officially announced its candidacy for 2026–2028 on behalf of its regional group. Finally, we wish to underscore the importance of the full, effective and meaningful participation of women in the nuclear sphere. El Salvador is honoured to chair, together with Spain and Chile, the Group of Friends for Women in Nuclear, at IAEA headquarters in Vienna, which reaffirms our commitment to guaranteeing the equal participation of women in that field.

At the outset, allow me to begin by expressing my thanks for the presentation of the report of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on its activities in 2023 (see A/79/266). I also thank the delegation of the Republic of Ghana for presenting the draft resolution (A/79/L.7), which contains that report. In the current context, my country grants great importance to life, health and development. For that reason, we are focused on the pivotal impact of nuclear science on various fields, from energy generation to medicine. However, we recognize the enormous responsibility that comes with finding a balance in the control of such destructive technologies. Today more than ever, it is essential to highlight the importance of promoting and ensuring the peaceful uses of such technology. We therefore commend the valuable role played by the staff of the secretariat of the International Atomic Energy Agency and the leadership of Director General Rafael Grossi, whose commitment and dynamism guide the Agency’s work in carrying out its founding mandate. Guatemala recently participated in the General Conference, convinced of the Agency’s exceptional importance in a world marked by conflicts and threats. The enormous challenges facing the international community are closely linked to the work of the IAEA in areas that are as important as they are necessary. Despite the challenging circumstances, the IAEA has not faltered in fulfilling its mandate and has found mechanisms to continue to support member States amid challenges and adversities, including by developing new and useful initiatives for the benefit of all humankind. My country acknowledges the sovereign right to exploit and use nuclear technologies for exclusively peaceful purposes, as provided for under article IV of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. At the same time, we reaffirm our obligation to work towards general and complete disarmament as the only guarantee for achieving international peace, security and stability. Nuclear security must not constitute an obstacle, restriction or impediment to the inalienable right of access to the peaceful uses of nuclear energy — a right that is particularly relevant to developing countries. Guatemala therefore wishes to highlight the mutual benefit of reciprocal cooperation between the IAEA and developing countries, as well as in regional projects, in which both parties benefit from the mutual contribution and receipt of technical know-how, experience and resources with a positive and direct impact on their populations. As a result, we are aware of the importance of the Agency as an independent, professional and technical body that fulfils its objectives in an impartial manner, particularly in applying and verifying the safeguards regime, which is a fundamental pillar of the non-proliferation regime. Guatemala hosts on its territory the El Pino plant — a facility for the development of the sterile Mediterranean fruit fly, which draws on the peaceful uses of nuclear energy in pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals. My delegation takes this opportunity to stress that that project represents exceptional tripartite cooperation among the Governments of Guatemala, Mexico and the United States, the outcomes of which benefit not only those three countries but also the region and all countries interested in deepening their knowledge of scientific nuclear applications in the field and in providing training in that area in order to access sterile insects for sustainable agriculture. We welcome the various initiatives launched by the Director General to innovate and enhance the important work of the IAEA in developing the peaceful uses of nuclear energy through various nuclear applications, such as the Rays of Hope, Atoms4Food, Nuclear Technology for Controlling Plastic Pollution and Zoonotic Disease Integrated Action initiatives, among others. Those initiatives have fostered knowledge and good practices in Member States that provide solutions to today’s challenges. Guatemala acknowledges and thanks the Agency’s Department of Technical Cooperation for Latin America for the support, assistance and guidance in implementing the country programme framework for the period from 2022 to 2027, based on the priority areas of cooperation for our country, which are directly linked to 9 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The programme framework specifies areas of interest, such as human health and nutrition, taking into account priority actions in projects related to the programme for the fight against cancer, radiodiagnosis, nuclear medicine, radiotherapy, oncology and medical physics, as well as nutrition. We therefore stress the Agency’s important role in strengthening the capacities of Member States through the IAEA’s Programme of Action for Cancer Therapy and the flagship Rays of Hope initiative. The Technical Cooperation Programme is undoubtedly the Agency’s main instrument for channelling the benefits of peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology to member States; hence, the importance of having adequate, reliable and predictable funds, together with the ongoing scientific forums, such as the Scientific Forum on Nuclear Science for Development, which was held during the General Conference and focused on agriculture. In the context of the Comprehensive Capacity-Building Initiative for State Systems of Accounting for and Control of Nuclear Material and State and Regional Authorities (COMPASS), Guatemala reaffirms its support and collaboration with the Agency in the application of the safeguards regime, through which significant national progress has been achieved in that area. That is why not everything is threatening or harmful in the course of our discussions, since the IAEA has been able to provide valuable services to humankind in the areas of health, agriculture, food, environmental conservation and even water conservation. Among other benefits that the Agency provides to Guatemala, my country is one of the seven States that participated in the pilot phase of COMPASS to strengthen our system for accounting and control of nuclear material. Our experts have received specialized training, both in person and online, on nuclear material accounting, safeguards-specific hardware and software and detection equipment. That assistance has been invaluable in improving the effectiveness and efficiency of safeguards implementation in Guatemala, in line with the requirements of our Safeguards Agreement and its Protocols. Guatemala reaffirms its commitment to observing and respecting the norms on disarmament, including those outlined in the Non-Proliferation Treaty, and recognizes the important role of the IAEA in preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons and weapons technology through the safeguards system. Lastly, we reiterate our ongoing support for and commitment to the work of the IAEA so that we can continue to work constructively for a world of peace, in which the mention of the word “nuclear” is a reference only to its peaceful use for the benefit of our peoples.

At the outset, I would like to thank Director General Rafael Grossi for submitting the report of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) (see A/79/266). I also thank the representative of Ghana for presenting draft resolution (A/79/L.7). Despite the increased global security tensions and growing concerns over the threat of the use of nuclear weapons, notable progress has been made by the Agency in its central role in strengthening disarmament and non-proliferation efforts, while also promoting international cooperation for the peaceful use of nuclear energy. On this occasion, let me highlight three important points. First, we must exert our political commitment to supporting the work of the International Atomic Energy Agency. As the world continues to grapple with persistent global and security tensions, we need to ensure that the IAEA receives strong support for its crucial role in assisting Member States in fulfilling their obligations. The Agency must work in a professional and impartial manner, with a focus on technical aspects and less political ones, in particular regarding current safety, security and safeguards matters, while also building confidence regarding those issues. Secondly, the efforts of the IAEA to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy must be supported. Promoting the peaceful use of nuclear energy is critical to global welfare. The acceleration of zero- and low-emission technologies, including nuclear technology, is an important part of our actions in addressing climate change. Several flagship IAEA programmes, including Nuclear Technology for Controlling Plastic Pollution, Zoonotic Disease Integrated Action, Rays of Hope, Atoms4NetZero and Atoms4Food, are not merely initiatives; they are also vital instruments in advancing global efforts to meet the Sustainable Development Goals. For its part, Indonesia remains committed to the peaceful use of nuclear technology. In line with our ambition to achieve a net zero emission by 2060 or sooner, Indonesia is actively exploring the development of small modular reactors for its renewable energy source. Close engagement with the Agency is important to ensure that Indonesia’s nuclear energy programmes are effectively developed, implemented and managed, in line with international safety standards. Thirdly, providing technical assistance to all Member States should remain a priority of the IAEA. Technical assistance programmes by the IAEA are essential to the capacity-building of Member States, particularly developing countries. Indonesia recognizes the significant benefits from our participation in the IAEA’s Technical Cooperation Programme, for instance, the utilization of nuclear technology in cancer treatments, radiopharmaceuticals and diagnostic imaging has improved the health of many people across the nation. In conclusion, as a member of the Board of Governors, Indonesia would like to reiterate its commitment to and readiness in supporting the work of the IAEA. We will continue our engagement in various initiatives that advance our collective goals to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy. Together, we can harness the potential of nuclear technology to address global challenges and improve human and global welfare.

We welcome today’s debate on the report of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) (see A/79/266), and we wish to express our sincere appreciation for the submission of the IAEA’s 2023 report for providing valuable updates on the Agency’s 2024 activities. The update on the Agency’s activities is particularly important given the faltering review processes of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). The last time that the NPT had an outcome was in 2010, which included agreement on specific actions aimed at strengthening the IAEA safeguards system. Subsequent meetings, including the latest Preparatory Committee, held in July and August this year, raised a number of issues that are relevant to the work of the IAEA. Those include the importance of the implementation of safeguards, a critical element of the global nuclear non-proliferation regime, as well as the inalienable and unconditional right to peaceful uses of nuclear technology. South Africa looks forward to the IAEA continuing to take positive steps in enhancing the contribution of nuclear technology to development. South Africa reaffirms its strong support for the IAEA’s work in the area of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, contributing to development through science, technology and its Technical Cooperation Programme. We note that there are still a growing number of Member States requesting support from the Agency in that important area, through which States are assisted in addressing their socioeconomic development needs, and which contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In that regard, we welcome collaboration among the Agency, South Africa, Tajikistan, the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation and the United Nations Development Programme at a side event and a joint exhibition during the United Nations High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. That side event demonstrated the critical role of South–South and triangular cooperation in ensuring the sustainability of efforts to attain the water- and energy-related SDGs. South Africa also continues to benefit from the support provided by the IAEA. The promotion of nuclear energy for peaceful uses in all aspects of life is vital for progress and development. In that regard, South Africa remains committed to strengthening its participation and programmes with the Agency. We are proud that South Africa’s iThemba Laboratory for Accelerator-Based Sciences — Africa’s leading research facility for accelerator-based science and host of the largest accelerator facility in the southern hemisphere — is an IAEA Collaborating Centre. Furthermore, nuclear power applications, in particular nuclear energy, is a key feature in South Africa’s 20-year electricity generation plan. We therefore welcome the IAEA’s assistance to Member States in applying international safety standards in order to strengthen nuclear power plant safety. Gender mainstreaming remains a priority for South Africa, and we welcome the goal set by the Director General for gender parity in the Agency by 2025. We note that at the end of 2023, the percentage of women in the professional and higher categories was 44.3 per cent, and in senior management positions it had reached 50 per cent — a significant milestone. South Africa supports the Agency’s efforts in that regard and the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship Programme, which has benefited a number of South African female scientists. It is an excellent initiative, which is contributing to global efforts to diversify nuclear sciences. In conclusion, it is vital that we recognize the work of the IAEA today, not only in terms of its mandate for strengthening nuclear verification and non-proliferation, but also in helping to confront global health, development and gender-related matters consistent with the SDGs and the African Union’s Agenda 2063. We appreciate the IAEA’s role in that regard and look forward to its continued valuable contribution to advancing peaceful uses of nuclear energy, sustainable development and gender equality.

The delegation of Iraq appreciates the report of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) (see A/79/266) for 2023. We express our thanks and appreciation to Director General, Mr. Rafael Grossi, and the secretariat for their efforts in preparing the report. The delegation also reaffirms its commitment to the Agency’s tasks and objectives in accordance with its Statute and to its efforts to achieve a balance among the pillars of its technical mandate in strengthening nuclear security and safety and in the area of safeguards, verification and technical cooperation. I would also like to thank the representative of Ghana for introducing the draft resolution entitled “Report of the International Atomic Energy Agency” (A/79/L.7), of which Iraq is a co-sponsor. The Government of Iraq welcomes the adoption of the Pact for the Future at the United Nations Summit of the Future, attended by world leaders, which is aimed at improving the present and building a better future. We believe that the IAEA represents an effective tool that can contribute to achieving the Pact’s objectives. The Government of Iraq continues its fruitful and constructive cooperation with the IAEA in building national capacities in all peaceful nuclear applications through the Technical Cooperation Programme and projects provided by the Agency, as well as training and development opportunities for youth cadres and its cooperation in many national and regional projects. Moreover, the Cooperation Programme continues to help to achieve increased progress in facilitating the transfer of nuclear technology to realize sustainable socioeconomic advances in developing countries. The Programme is a shared responsibility between the IAEA and member States, and their concerted efforts will have a decisive impact on the success of the existing Programme based on the requirements and needs of States. That requires the provision of resources for the Agency’s promotional activities to ensure that the resources of the Technical Cooperation Fund are adequate, assured and proportionate to the resources allocated to all other activities of the Agency provided for in its Statute. In that context, Iraq stresses the priority that the IAEA’s technical cooperation activities represent for our country and for other developing countries, which benefit from such programmes to build capacities and employ nuclear techniques to meet their needs in the areas of health, agriculture, food, water resources, radioisotopes and others, as such technologies contribute to the promotion of peace, health, prosperity and sustainable development throughout the world. Iraq seeks to expand the peaceful uses of nuclear energy in humanitarian fields and scientific research in order to promote socioeconomic development. We rely on the IAEA’s technical support through regional projects. Iraq once again commends the IAEA Director General’s Rays of Hope initiative, aimed at assisting member States, especially developing countries, in enhancing their capacities in radiology and in overcoming the shortage of equipment and expertise in that area, as well as the Zoonotic Disease Integrated Action initiative, aimed at diagnosing and strengthening global preparedness to control diseases caused by animals. We also welcome the Director General’s Atoms4Food initiative, aimed at providing States with pioneering solutions to meet their specific needs and circumstances by harnessing the benefits of nuclear and other advanced technologies to increase agricultural and livestock productivity, enhance natural resource management, reduce food waste, ensure food safety, improve nutrition and adapt to the challenges posed by climate change. The climate change that we are witnessing today is one of the most important challenges faced by many countries of the world, including Iraq. Climate change has had a negative impact on all sectors and has led to an unprecedented increase in temperature, drought, desertification and lack of water, as well as the shrinking of agricultural land. That has caused damage in many areas of Iraq, which reflected negatively on our meeting the urgent need to fill the great shortage in electrical power generation in those areas. That obliged the Republic of Iraq to give serious consideration to the use of nuclear energy in the production of electrical power in order to overcome the acute shortage and deal with the effects of climate change, in cooperation with the IAEA and in line with the safeguards regime and the relevant international treaties and conventions. Recognizing the importance of ensuring the safe and secure use of nuclear energy and of achieving and maintaining a high level of nuclear safety worldwide by enhancing national measures and international cooperation within the IAEA’s mandate, the Government of Iraq adopted many concrete national measures in terms of strategies, plans and legislation. Iraq deposited the two instruments of accession to the Convention on Nuclear Safety and the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management, which entered into force in February 2024. The Government of Iraq also enacted and activated a number of relevant laws, including the law on the Iraqi National Energy Commission and the Law of the National Authority for Nuclear, Radiological, Chemical and Biological Regulation in 2024. We are currently finalizing the comprehensive national nuclear legislation in line with international nuclear law and its four pillars: nuclear safety, nuclear security, nuclear safeguards and liability for nuclear damage. In addition, the national executive and oversight authorities, within the framework of radioactive waste management, established an integrated work programme to eliminate radioactive contamination in Iraq and adopted national strategies, endorsed by the Government of Iraq, to deal with radioactive waste. In order to enhance the Government of Iraq’s endeavours to safely dispose of radioactive waste resulting from a number of activities, be they related to former nuclear facilities, medical centres or oil installations, we have worked in direct coordination with the IAEA on efforts to adopt a national strategy to manage radioactive waste, as well as a national strategy to manage naturally occurring radioactive materials. That has led to the declaration of many of the governorates of Iraq as areas free of radioactive contamination. We also launched a number of operations to remove radioactive contamination in many regions of the country. The visit by the IAEA Director General, Mr. Rafael Grossi, and his delegation to Iraq in March of this year was an incentive for us to move forward and build a new chapter for Iraq in the peaceful use of nuclear energy, in accordance with the highest principles of transparency and our international commitments. The delegation of Iraq reaffirms its unwavering support for the IAEA and its technical mandate. We support the Director General and all efforts to implement the safeguards system, as well as the Agency’s monitoring and verification activities. We reiterate our commitment to non-proliferation and nuclear disarmament. We once again call for the full implementation of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) as the cornerstone of the international non-proliferation regime and the basis for the pursuit of nuclear disarmament and the further development of nuclear energy applications for peaceful purposes. In that context, Iraq once again calls on the international community to put pressure on Israel, the only party in the Middle East region that remains outside the scope of the NPT, to accede to the Treaty and to place all its nuclear facilities under the IAEA safeguards regime. The Middle East region continues to resist international and regional efforts to make it a nuclear-weapon-free zone because of the Israeli entity’s rejection of any such effort. Iraq therefore once again calls on all relevant parties to continue to work to support efforts in a way that would achieve tangible results towards genuinely establishing a Middle East zone free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction.

Austria aligns itself with the statement delivered on behalf of the European Union. Austria is honoured to host the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Let me take this opportunity to sincerely thank the Agency and its Director General for all their efforts across its mandate. It is hard to overstate the invaluable contribution of the Agency to international peace, security and development. Indeed, we all rely on the Agency to help to make the world safer and more secure. The Agency is at the very front lines in Ukraine at great risk to, and personal sacrifice by, its staff. That unprovoked, unjustified and brutal war of aggression by Russia is an outrageous violation of the Charter of the United Nations, international law and the most basic rules that we have set ourselves. That war of aggression must end, just as the Russian roulette with the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant and other nuclear installations in Ukraine must end. Nuclear power plants are not made for wars. The risks of accidents multiply, and nuclear security — a responsibility vis-à-vis all humankind — cannot be safeguarded. The IAEA has been central in trying to provide a modicum of transparency and in improving nuclear safety and security in Ukraine. Austria provides a contribution of €1 million to the Agency’s crucial work on the ground. We also welcome and support the five basic principles for protecting the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant, as well as the seven indispensable pillars for ensuring nuclear safety and security during an armed conflict. The IAEA plays a central role in helping to ensure that the benefits of nuclear technology are utilized for peaceful purposes — uses that are crucial for human health, development and agriculture, among other things. Technical cooperation is an integral part of Austria’s activities, and we fully support those applications with the IAEA, ensuring that the associated risks are adequately minimized. However, there is one important element that we do not support: nuclear power generation. We fully accept, of course, that each country has the sovereign right to choose its own energy mix. As is well known, in our view, nuclear power is neither safe nor sustainable. Sustainability is not limited to greenhouse gas emissions. Important concerns also relate to the cross-border and long-term environmental and health damage from nuclear accidents and, of course, the unresolved question of what to do with nuclear waste. Austria’s position on nuclear energy comes from a serious concern for our common future. In that spirit, for those that opt to use nuclear power, we emphasize the necessity to uphold the highest standards to prioritize safety and security. We also refer to the need to continuously improve nuclear safety for existing installations in a timely manner. Established nuclear safety standards must also be fulfilled by so- called advanced technologies. We meet at a time of high tensions — a time marked by unprecedented nuclear risks, nuclear threats and blackmail, as well as a weakened nuclear taboo; a time that is pushing the nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime to its limits. Multiple accelerating arms race dynamics are unfolding. That is in nobody’s interest. We cannot sit back but must redouble our efforts to bolster central treaties such as the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and return to progress towards nuclear disarmament. That is not only a treaty obligation; it is also an urgent necessity. It is urgent because an international security system that is based on the threat of mass destruction is too risky and simply not sustainable. Nuclear deterrence is a high-risk bet. Ambiguities and risk-taking are woven into the very fabric of the nuclear deterrence theory. It is based on assumptions of psychology and rationality. Yet history shows us the opposite. Examples of miscalculations, misinformation and human and technical errors abound, and their likelihood has not decreased in today’s international environment. That is truly an existential issue for all humankind and must be addressed by us all. We need to focus on facts, and we urgently need a fundamental paradigm shift with regard to nuclear weapons — a paradigm shift that is embodied by the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. That Treaty is based on scientific evidence and research and on the clear and unambiguous findings that both the humanitarian and the environmental consequences and risks are far graver than previously known and would affect all of us. I call on all States and all actors to engage constructively with the Treaty and the profound arguments on which it is based. In conclusion, we are deeply grateful for the important work that the IAEA does on many of the central issues with which we deal at the United Nations. Austria will continue its unwavering support for the Agency.

Zimbabwe welcomes the sixty-eighth report of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) (see A/79/266) for the calendar year 2023 and its submission before the seventy-ninth session of the General Assembly. The report, which comprehensively articulates the work of the IAEA during the period under review, illustrates significant achievements that we urge the General Assembly to acknowledge. Zimbabwe applauds the programmes of the IAEA in 2023 for their balanced approach, in line with the equally important three pillars of the Treaty on the Non- Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). In particular, the IAEA’s work has demonstrated the practical implementation of article IV of the NPT, which underscores the right of all parties to the NPT to develop the research, production and use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. In that regard, we would like to commend the Agency for the outstanding work and commitment to the cause of the safe, secure and peaceful use of nuclear science and technology. The increasing incidences of cancer and the disparity in the burden and mortality rates between high- and low-income countries underscore the need to share technologies for diagnostic and treatment purposes. During the sixty-ninth session of the General Conference in September 2024, the IAEA Director General expressed regret at the increasing number of needless deaths in Africa and other low-income countries due to curable cancers. In that regard, Zimbabwe applauds the IAEA’s Rays of Hope initiative, which avails safe and secure radiotherapy and diagnostic imaging services that help to reduce cancer deaths worldwide. We urge the continued rolling out of that initiative, and we look forward to the operationalization of the Zimbabwe Rays of Hope project as the country seeks to bolster and bring more reliability to national radiotherapy services. On a similar note, the IAEA’s Zoonotic Disease Integrated Action plays a key role in serology and molecular diagnostics to enable the early detection of zoonotic diseases, which is essential for biosafety and food security. We therefore welcome the continued assistance being rendered to member States through the capacitation of laboratories, among other interventions. Furthermore, the IAEA’s Atoms4Food initiative, jointly with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, holds the prospects for bringing cutting-edge nuclear techniques to food production. Under that initiative, the developing world benefits from crop variety improvement, soil and water management, crop nutrition, livestock health and insect pest control, as well as food safety and enhanced public health and nutrition. Zimbabwe therefore welcomes the launch of the Atoms4Food initiative and reiterates that the adoption of nuclear techniques remains a feasible strategy towards enhancing productivity and addressing food security challenges. The global nuclear capacity for electricity generation was projected by the IAEA to reach between 458 and 890 gigawatts by 2050. Very little of that potential has been rolled out in Africa. We call for greater impetus to avail the benefits of nuclear energy to the global South. The worsening climate emergency has propelled my country to seek alternative power generation solutions, as the previously reliable hydropower option has become increasingly untenable. Zimbabwe is therefore keenly following developments in nuclear power generation technologies, particularly small modular reactors, to guide its policies and decision-making going forward. The role of nuclear power as part of climate action is a key part of greening the world’s energy mix, given nuclear energy’s low emission technologies, which can help to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as well as environmental damage. Zimbabwe urges the IAEA to continue its good work in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and to intensify the facilitation of access to the technology for the developing word. We urge the IAEA to continue to play its role in nuclear safety and security and nuclear verification, in line with article III of the NPT, and we urge Member States to render their full support. The implementation of the IAEA safeguards remains a key aspect of the NPT. As one of the pioneering signatories to the African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty, Zimbabwe fully supports the total elimination of nuclear weapons as the only absolute guarantee against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons and calls for a new paradigm shift from investments in nuclear weapon arsenals to the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. We call for the fulfilment of the NPT obligations by all Member States and a move towards the elimination of nuclear weapons because a nuclear war should never be fought, as it can never be won. The catastrophic consequences of nuclear warfare should never be experienced again. Within the current nuclear non-proliferation regime, we fully support the IAEA’s nuclear safety, security and safeguards and the aims and purposes of the comprehensive safeguards agreements concluded with Member States. Those remain the cornerstone of the nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime and build some level of confidence that Member States are abiding by their international commitments. While Zimbabwe fully supports the letter and spirit of the IAEA safeguards, we also recognize the right of States members of the Agency to utilize nuclear technologies for peaceful purposes given their critical role in development and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, as well as in confronting the broader challenges facing the world today. In that vein, we implore Member States to lend their full support to the IAEA’s initiatives so that they move towards a world without nuclear weapons, but rather one powered by the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. We also welcome and applaud the IAEA’s continued drive to transfer nuclear technology and applications, as well as promote the sharing of nuclear knowledge with developing countries to enhance their capabilities and enable them to benefit more from the peaceful uses of nuclear technology and applications.

My delegation expresses its appreciation to the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency for the comprehensive 2023 report (see A/79/266) and the additional updates on key developments in 2024. Malaysia commends the Agency’s multifaceted initiatives, as outlined in the report, particularly the resolutions adopted at the sixth-eighth IAEA General Conference in September. We recognize the IAEA’s indispensable role in promoting the safe, secure and peaceful use of nuclear technology and its critical function as the sole authority verifying States’ compliance with safeguards obligations. Malaysia values the Agency’s support and collaboration across various sectors, especially in medicine, food and agriculture, through initiatives such as Nuclear Technology for Controlling Plastic Pollution Plastics, Zoonotic Disease Integrated Action, Rays of Hope and Atoms4Food. Those programmes have significantly strengthened our efforts to harness nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, demonstrating the vital role of nuclear science, technology and applications in attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The importance of the IAEA’s technical cooperation activities in helping developing Member States achieve the SDGs cannot be overstated. Malaysia strongly believes that the sustainable use of nuclear energy must be accompanied by robust safety and security measures. In that regard, we recognize the IAEA’s international role in supporting the implementation and continuous improvement of global nuclear safety and security standards. Finally, Malaysia welcomes and fully supports draft resolution A/79/L.7, reaffirming the IAEA’s pivotal role in the peaceful development and application of atomic energy. We are pleased to co-sponsor the draft resolution.

I would like to start my statement by expressing our thanks to the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for his report (see A/79/266) and to Ghana for the draft resolution on the annual report of the IAEA (A/79/L.7), which Thailand is pleased to co-sponsor. With the privilege of presiding over the sixty-seventh IAEA General Conference and now serving on the Board of Governors for the term from 2024 to 2026, Thailand is fully committed to supporting the Agency’s vital work. At a time of escalating tensions and nuclear risk, alongside growing challenges of food insecurity, plastic pollution, climate change and communicable and non-communicable diseases, the IAEA stands firm as a pillar for promoting international peace and security and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Thailand is deeply concerned by the worsening situation in Ukraine, particularly regarding nuclear safety and security risks at nuclear facilities and the well-being of the personnel involved. We commend the IAEA’s continued presence and assistance in ensuring the safe and secure operation of the nuclear power plants in Ukraine. We strongly urge all parties to adhere to the IAEA Director General’s seven indispensable pillars and five concrete principles. We also share the international community’s concerns over developments on the Korean Peninsula and call on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to fully comply with the relevant Security Council resolutions. Thailand further stresses the importance of revitalizing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and fully supports the IAEA’s continued verification and monitoring activities under its mandate in an impartial, professional and independent manner. In that regard, we urge all parties to find diplomatic solutions to those critical issues. The IAEA plays a crucial role in promoting the right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy — a core pillar under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. Thailand actively supports the IAEA’s key initiatives, such as the Zoonotic Disease Integrated Action and Nuclear Technology for Controlling Plastic Pollution programmes. We are proud to have established South-East Asia’s first Rays of Hope Anchor Centre at Ramathibodi Hospital in Bangkok to enhance accessibility to cancer care for all. Thailand fully supports the IAEA’s Technical Cooperation Programme, which is essential for building capacity in nuclear science and technology for peaceful purposes. We pledged contributions to the Technical Cooperation Fund in 2023 and 2024 and signed the 2023–2029 country programme framework. That is to expand nuclear applications in food and agriculture, health and nuclear and radiation safety and security. Moreover, as featured in the 2023 annual report, we co-hosted the eighth Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) School on Plasma and Nuclear Fusion with the IAEA to raise awareness of fusion energy and plasma research in South-East Asia. Thailand continues to engage with the IAEA through peer review and advisory service missions, including the Operation and Maintenance Assessment for Research Reactors mission, with the aim of achieving the highest standards of nuclear safety, security and safeguards. We also joined the Response and Assistance Network to enhance our ability to assist other countries in nuclear or radiological emergencies. As an active member of the ASEAN Network of Regulatory Bodies on Atomic Energy, Thailand welcomes this year’s renewal of the practical arrangements between ASEAN and the IAEA, which will further strengthen the global-regional cooperation in nuclear safety, security and the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. In conclusion, I would like to reaffirm Thailand’s unwavering commitment to working with the IAEA and Member States to promote the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. Together, we will contribute to reinforcing the global framework for nuclear safety, security and safeguards, as well as the achievement of the SDGs.

Ukraine aligns itself with the statement made on behalf of the European Union and would like to add a few remarks in its national capacity. As we welcome the annual report of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for 2023 (see A/79/266), I am compelled to start with the issue of the unprecedented attacks on global nuclear safety and security by one particular State. It continues to deliberately push the world to the edge of another nuclear catastrophe and shows no intention of stopping. It has been more than 10 years since the Russian Federation occupied Crimea and the Sevastopol Research Reactor in 2014 and two and a half years since the occupation of the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant in 2022, as well as the Chornobyl nuclear power plant, when the Russian army occupied and then looted laboratories on leaving the station, placing all of us under the constant threat of a major nuclear accident. Let me stress that attacks on peaceful nuclear facilities are prohibited by international law. By attacking the Zaporizhzhya and Chornobyl nuclear power plants, Russia directly violated article 56 of Protocol Additional I to the 1949 Geneva Conventions. As of today, the presence of Russian unauthorized personnel at Ukraine`s nuclear facility poses a threat to its operation and proper maintenance of nuclear material. Flight incursions by Russian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), often involving combat UAVs, over Ukraine’s nuclear facilities greatly increase the risk of damage to critical infrastructure, which could lead to catastrophic nuclear accidents. The IAEA governing bodies keep calling on Russia to cease all its actions against the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant, urgently withdraw all military and other unauthorized personnel from the plant and immediately return the plant to the full control of the competent Ukrainian authorities. That call was reinforced in July, when the General Assembly adopted resolution 78/316, entitled “Safety and security of nuclear facilities of Ukraine, including the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant”. It is noteworthy that by adopting that resolution, the General Assembly endorsed the IAEA Director General’s seven indispensable pillars for ensuring nuclear safety and security during an armed conflict and the five concrete principles to help to ensure nuclear safety and security at the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant. In that regard, we would like to express gratitude to all States that supported the relevant decisions of the United Nations and the IAEA. Let me also recall that radiological and nuclear safety was also raised at the peace summit in June this year. We appreciate the input of all the peace-loving States that participated in the summit and contributed to the joint communiqué. Despite the international condemnation of all illegal and unlawful actions, Russia continues to violate the key principles of nuclear safety and security. It is obvious that the Russian Federation recognizes the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant as a convenient tool for blackmailing, threat and cover for its military activities. That is precisely why the territory around the plant has been mined and subject to constant shelling by Russian troops. Let me state clearly that, unlike the Russian Federation, Ukraine has never attacked, and is not going to attack, any nuclear facility. In addition to the threat to nuclear safety and security posed by Russia’s militarization of the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant, we must also address the serious risks posed by its continued attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Missile and drone strikes on energy facilities jeopardize the power supply needed to maintain critical cooling systems at nuclear power plants. Disruptions to the power supply for extended periods of time pose serious challenges to the safe operation of nuclear reactors, potentially leading to dangerous overheating. Moreover, according to recent intelligence data, the Russian Federation is planning direct attacks on Ukraine’s nuclear power plants and their infrastructure — critical substations — aiming to disconnect the plants from the power grid. The international community should take such threats seriously, combined with the militarization of nuclear facilities, which significantly increases the likelihood of a nuclear disaster that could surpass the scale of the 1986 Chornobyl catastrophe. Today nuclear safety and security depend on our ability to take a strong and common stance and decisive steps towards all actions that put nuclear facilities in danger. In that regard, we reiterate that the United Nations community must do its utmost to ensure that there is no impunity for the illegal occupation by the Russian Federation of the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant and violations of the norms and principles of nuclear and radiation safety. To conclude, Ukraine calls for the active participation of States Members of the United Nations in the high-level conference under the first point of the peace formula, radiation and nuclear safety, co-organized by France and Ukraine in Paris on 17 October.

I would like to begin by expressing our gratitude to the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, and his dedicated team for their outstanding efforts in advancing the Agency’s priorities. Having recently completed a two-year term on the Board of Governors, Namibia has a deep appreciation for the complex array of issues under the auspices of the IAEA. Namibia commends the Agency for its 2023 report (see A/79/266), highlighting its continued efforts to address the needs of Member States in tackling global challenges using nuclear techniques. For a developing country such as Namibia, the Agency’s Technical Cooperation Programme remains a vital tool for our interventions to address specific and priority national policies, as well as attain the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The successful cooperation with the Agency continues to immensely benefit some of our key sectors, such as human health, agriculture and food security, water management and environmental protection. The report further reflects the Agency’s continued role in maintaining vigilant oversight of nuclear material and facilities in 190 States, in accordance with their safeguards agreements with the Agency. Namibia continues to reiterate its commitment to the safeguards system, recognizing the significance of comprehensive safeguards agreements, coupled with the Additional Protocol, as the prevailing verification standards under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. In compliance with our Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement, Namibia has revised its small quantities protocols, clearly demonstrating its commitment to nuclear non-proliferation. That is our assurance that all nuclear material and activities within our borders are only for peaceful purposes. Namibia continues to encourage those States that have not yet concluded additional protocols and small quantities protocols to do so, ensuring the full implementation of safeguards. Namibia remains encouraged by the influential role that the Agency has played in advancing the sustainable development agenda. The growth in scope of the Rays of Hope initiative improves support for the efforts of Member States to increase access to safe and secure radiotherapy and diagnostic imaging services, thereby reducing the global cancer burden and cancer deaths worldwide. That is a particularly important initiative for Africa, where radiotherapy remains inaccessible to most cancer patients. In our own context, nuclear science and technology have also significantly contributed to improving food security in Namibia, especially in the face of climate change. That approach is being extrapolated across Africa, where new varieties of rice and sorghum that give higher yields and show greater adaptability to drought conditions have been developed for use on the continent. Namibia further commends the Agency’s support for the training of critical staff through various training programmes and scholarships, such as the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship Programme and the Lise Meitner Programme, which empower women to pursue careers in nuclear-related fields. In conclusion, I wish to express our appreciation for the exemplary work of the IAEA and our support for the report presented.

Lithuania fully aligns itself with the statement delivered on behalf of the European Union. The following remarks are made in my national capacity. We wish to thank Director General Grossi for the annual report of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) (see A/79/266). We also are very grateful to the delegation of Ghana for proposing this year’s draft resolution (A/79/L.7), which we are sponsoring. Lithuania fully supports the vital work of the International Atomic Energy Agency, which is instrumental in promoting global nuclear safety, security and safeguards and protection against radiation. We commend the Director General and the Agency’s staff for their professional and brave efforts to prevent potential nuclear accidents amid Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine. We cannot remain silent about the precarious situation in Ukraine, which is caused solely by Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine, its seizure of the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant in Ukraine and its frequent attacks on Ukraine’s entire energy infrastructure. We once again urge Russia to halt its military actions without delay and without conditions, to withdraw all military forces and personnel from the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant and the entire Ukrainian territory and to fully respect Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. We also denounce Belarus for backing Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Despite the recent visit by Director General Rafael Grossi to Belarus, including to the Astravets nuclear power plant — a visit which was used by Belarusian authorities to make claims of the plant’s safety and reliability — Lithuania remains deeply concerned about the ongoing operation of that Russian-built nuclear power plant. Its location, which is alarmingly close to the European Union’s eastern border and near Lithuania’s capital, Vilnius, continues to raise serious safety and security concerns. Belarus has demonstrated blatant disregard for international nuclear safety standards, recommendations and protocols, as evidenced by persistent equipment failures, delays in addressing critical safety improvements and a pervasive lack of transparency. Although we have repeatedly called for Belarus to address the safety issues concerning the nuclear power plant, we have received only general information on the regulation of nuclear and radiation safety. The safety problems affecting the operating nuclear power plant remain unaddressed. Moreover, Belarus has not provided any detailed information on the erratic operation of the power plant, including the unplanned shutdowns and the prolonged repair periods affecting the units. It has also failed to explain the reasons for those shutdowns and the measures being taken to resolve them. Belarus continues to withhold the specific information regarding the nuclear power plant that we have repeatedly requested and has not answered questions. There is no transparency. Given the gravity of the situation, we issue a strong appeal for an immediate suspension of the Belarusian nuclear power plant’s operation until all nuclear safety concerns have been fully and transparently addressed. It is crucial to prioritize the plant’s safety so as to protect the region from any potential hazards. Public health and safety, both in Belarus and in neighbouring countries, must take precedence over any political or economic interests. We call upon the international community to join Lithuania in urging Belarus to suspend operations at its nuclear power plant until comprehensive safety measures are implemented. Protecting our region from nuclear hazards is a shared responsibility. We must act with urgency to uphold safety and transparency for the benefit of all.

We welcome the presentation of the 2023 annual report of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) (see A/79/266) and draft resolution A/79/L.7. We reaffirm Cuba’s support for the IAEA’s important work and its contribution to the peaceful use of nuclear energy. On this occasion, we would like to thank the Agency for its vital support for Cuba’s efforts in tackling mosquito-borne diseases, such as Zika, dengue and chikungunya. We also take the opportunity of this meeting to underscore that the Regional Cooperation Agreement for the Promotion of Nuclear Science and Technology in Latin America and the Caribbean will mark its fortieth anniversary in 2024. Cuba is a proud supporter of the programme’s efforts to implement IAEA initiatives aimed at addressing health and environmental challenges in the countries of the region by contributing to capacity-building and participating in expert missions, in particular to Central America and the Caribbean. We also renew our support for the activities of the Ibero-American Forum of Radiological and Nuclear Regulatory Agencies, which continues to deliver when it comes to strengthening nuclear and radiation safety and security in Ibero-American countries. We reaffirm Cuba’s commitment to the use of nuclear energy for strictly peaceful purposes and the great importance that we attach to nuclear and radiation safety. On that basis, during the period covered by the report under discussion today, our contribution has taken several forms. In that connection, we would highlight the updating of the decree-law on the use of nuclear energy and other sources of ionizing radiation, the successful holding of the International School on Nuclear Security in Cuba in February and the submission of the national report at the eighth Review Meeting of Contracting Parties to the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management. The implementation of new nuclear safeguards regulation in the country will continue to strengthen the national regime for the control of nuclear materials, thereby honouring our commitments with full transparency. Looking ahead to the coming period, in the area of nuclear safety, Cuba has formally requested the IAEA to conduct an Integrated Regulatory Review Service mission in 2026, attesting to our willingness to continue improving the country’s performance in that regard. As regards technical cooperation with the IAEA, the Country Programme Framework for the period 2024–2030, recently signed by the Agency and the Cuban science, technology and environment authorities, identified six priority areas, namely, food and agriculture, health and nutrition, water and environment, energy and industry, radiation technologies, and nuclear safety and radiation protection. Despite the robust cooperation between Cuba and the IAEA, every year we cannot fail to mention the difficulties that the Agency regularly faces in carrying out projects with our country, owing to the restrictions imposed by the economic, commercial and financial blockade of Cuba. The prohibition on the sale of specialized equipment to Cuba by companies from the United States companies, and even companies in third countries with the participation of United States capital, continues to increase the cost to our country of acquiring equipment and to hinder capacity- building, delays the execution of our national projects under the auspices of the IAEA and excludes us from opportunities to participate in projects in our region. We reject unilateral coercive measures that contravene article IV of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons by hindering international cooperation with developing countries and limiting their access to materials, equipment and technologies for peaceful nuclear activities subject to such measures. The IAEA is the framework for the adoption of international nuclear security standards, which must result from transparent and inclusive multilateral negotiations with the participation of all States. The application of the Agency’s safeguards verification system is essential to the implementation of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, including for verifying the peaceful nature of nuclear energy programmes. We reiterate that in order to maintain the credibility of the IAEA’s safeguards activities, it is imperative to continue to ensure its secretariat’s impartial and professional performance. We advocate for respect for the inalienable right of States to research, produce and use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, without discrimination or conditions. Contrary to the benefits that peaceful nuclear energy confers upon humankind, the mere existence of nuclear weapons continues to imperil human survival. We continue to believe that the only guarantee against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons is the total elimination of those weapons in a verifiable, transparent and irreversible manner. Consequently, we advocate for the universalization of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons without further delay. The objective of nuclear disarmament cannot continue to be postponed indefinitely.

Slovenia associates itself with the statement made by the representative of the European Union. The following remarks are made in our national capacity. Slovenia co-sponsored draft resolution A/79/L.7 on the report of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) (see A/79/266). As one of the 32 States with a full-fledged civilian nuclear programme, Slovenia has always relied on the important work of the IAEA pertaining to nuclear safety and security. That was underscored by Director General Grossi’s visit to my country last week, as Slovenia is considering expanding its civilian nuclear programme. We reaffirm our strong support for the Agency’s technical, independent and impartial work in a challenging geopolitical context. Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and its illegal seizure of the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant have now persisted for more than two and a half years. During this time, Russia has failed to comply with the resolutions of the IAEA Board of Governors and the General Conference, and it has not withdrawn its personnel from the plant. The nuclear safety and security situation at the plant has deteriorated, and Russia’s extensive attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure have increased risks for all of Ukraine’s nuclear facilities. Those actions are clear violations of international law, including the Charter of the United Nations, and they undermine the fundamental principles of the IAEA Statute. Slovenia emphasizes the importance of the IAEA Director General’s seven essential pillars for ensuring nuclear safety and security during armed conflict. We also stand behind the five key principles established to protect the Zaporizhzhya plant, which must be upheld. We are deeply concerned about the safety and security of nuclear facilities during armed conflict. A nuclear accident in the midst of war would be devastating and would have global consequences. For that reason, Slovenia firmly believes that the Security Council must be engaged in order to address and prevent such incidents from occurring. The IAEA safeguards system is a fundamental component of the nuclear non- proliferation regime and plays an indispensable role in the implementation of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of the Nuclear Weapons. We encourage ongoing diplomatic initiatives aimed at finding peaceful resolutions to proliferation crises, which pose significant threats to both international and regional peace and security. In that context, we call on all countries to support the implementation of Security Council resolution 2231 (2015). We urge Iran to halt all proliferation-sensitive activities, reapply the Additional Protocol and resume the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action-related monitoring and verification. We call on the new Iranian Government to cooperate fully with the Agency to meet its obligations under its Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement. We are deeply concerned about the ongoing development by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea of nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. We call on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to comply with its obligations under the relevant Security Council resolutions and to refrain from nuclear tests and ballistic missile launches. We commend the IAEA for its updates on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, and we fully support the recent resolution adopted by the IAEA General Conference. We urge the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to accept the offers of dialogue by relevant parties and to comply with its obligations under Security Council resolutions to abandon its nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner. The Agency’s activities related to the broad range of peaceful uses of nuclear energy are indispensable for my country. We appreciate the work of the IAEA Seibersdorf laboratories, as many aspects of sustainable development are closely tied to nuclear science and technology. We commend the Agency for its recent projects, such as the Rays of Hope initiative, which we have recently joined to combat cancer. We also appreciate the Nuclear Technology for Controlling Plastic Pollution initiative, which showcases the benefits of atomic energy in various civilian sectors beyond just energy. In addition, the Atoms4Food initiative is another valuable effort worth recognizing. At the same time, we highly value the secretariat’s efforts to promote gender equality and balance within the Agency. In conclusion, I would like once again to underscore the vital importance of nuclear safety and the need for continuous improvement, urging all States to engage with the IAEA review services. We also encourage all Member States to cultivate a robust nuclear safety culture, and to join international nuclear safety and security conventions and the Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources. That is even more relevant as we enter the era of nuclear renaissance. Lastly, I would like to congratulate Nihon Hidankyo, a grassroots Japanese organization of atomic bomb survivors from Hiroshima and Nagasaki, on being awarded the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize for its efforts to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons.

As nuclear energy once again attracts significant attention owing to the rapidly changing international landscape and advances in science and technology, the role of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is becoming even more critical. Peaceful uses of nuclear energy hold great expectations as a response to global issues and in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals. Japan has been contributing to the Agency’s activities and the Director General’s initiatives, such as Rays of Hope for cancer care and Atoms4Food for strengthening food security. The IAEA also plays a prominent role in strengthening the international non- proliferation regime and addressing key challenges in the field. IAEA safeguards are the most fundamental instrument of the regime, and Japan continues to be a strong supporter of the IAEA’s efforts to make those safeguards more efficient and effective. The advancement of North Korea’s nuclear and missile programmes poses a serious challenge to the international non-proliferation regime and is totally unacceptable. Last month, North Korea revealed images of a uranium enrichment facility for the first time, while launching several ballistic missiles. As the latest report of the Director General (see A/79/266) points out, the continuation of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s nuclear programme, a clear violation of relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, is deeply regrettable. Japan strongly urges North Korea to take concrete steps towards achieving the complete, verifiable and irreversible dismantlement of all weapons of mass destruction, ballistic missiles of all ranges, and related programmes. Japan also urges North Korea to fully comply with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and to cooperate promptly with the Agency in the full and effective implementation of the Agency’s comprehensive safeguards. I would also like to emphasize the critical importance of full implementation of relevant Security Council resolutions. In that regard, Japan once again expresses its grave concern over the increasing military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, which are blatantly violating Security Council resolutions, as it also undermines the international non-proliferation regime. With regard to Iran’s nuclear issues, Japan is seriously concerned about the expansion of its nuclear activities, and has been urging Iran to fully and unconditionally cooperate with the IAEA to bring about concrete outcomes towards the resolution of all outstanding issues. In addition, Japan remains gravely concerned about the nuclear safety and security situation in Ukraine. Russia must immediately and unconditionally withdraw from the entire internationally recognized territory of Ukraine, including Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant, and the power plant should be immediately returned to the full control of the Ukrainian authorities. Japan commends the continuous efforts of the IAEA to deal with those urgent issues. Lastly, regarding the discharge of the advanced liquid processing system-treated water, its safety has been substantiated through the IAEA’s monitoring and reviews, with the participation of analytical laboratories and international experts worldwide, including those of neighbouring countries. Japan appreciates and respects the IAEA’s independent, science-based, long-term commitment to that issue, and will continue to strengthen our engagement with domestic and international stakeholders, especially those in the Asia-Pacific Region, and to provide transparent explanations to the international community.

The Syrian Arab Republic attaches great importance to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)’s fulfilment of its mandate in accordance with its statute. My country acceded to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) in 1969 and signed its Safeguards Agreement with the Agency in 1992. We have consistently supported the right of all Member States to the peaceful use of nuclear energy. The Israeli aggression that targeted a building in the Syrian governorate of Deir ez-Zor in September 2007 was a violation of Syria’s sovereignty and a flagrant violation of international law. Instead of being unequivocally condemned, that violation was used as a platform to promote false allegations against Syria. The unsubstantiated conclusion in the resolution of the IAEA Board of Governors in June 2011 on the building concerned is not in line with the technical and scientific methods that characterize the work of the Agency. That conclusion was based on information gathered from open sources and parties known for their hostility towards Syria. As a result, that conclusion was ambiguous and lacked any conclusive evidence. Therefore, it is pointless for the IAEA Board of Governors to continue to discuss the matter of implementing the Safeguards Agreement in Syria. A number of countries, known to all, are pushing to keep the item on the agenda. That shows that some are exploiting the work of the IAEA for political purposes to detract attention from the real threats to the non-proliferation regime, which are the nuclear military capabilities of the Israeli entity and its secret activities in that regard. It is high time to remove the item from the agenda of the IAEA Board of Governors, and to stop politicizing the issue. Israel’s official acknowledgement of its responsibility for that aggression requires that it cooperate with the Agency in revealing the nature of the contamination caused by the missiles used in its aggression. As long as Israel, the aggressor, fails to cooperate with the Agency in that regard, any discussion of the subject remains futile. Syria cooperated positively and constructively with the Agency. In June of 2008, we allowed the IAEA team to visit the site of the destroyed building in Deir ez-Zor and to collect samples. As part of its ongoing cooperation, Syria received Mr. Rafael Grossi, Director General of the Agency, in March of this year, and is cooperating with the Agency to achieve the desired outcomes of that visit. Following the visit, a delegation headed by the Deputy Director General of the Department of Safeguards conducted an initial visit to Syria in June. Syria cooperated fully with the delegation and provided all the facilities required for the success of the visit and all those required to conduct its second visit to Syria in early October, as part of its full compliance with the comprehensive safeguards agreement of 1992 and its transparent and positive cooperation with the IAEA, as indicated in the Agency’s annual reports on the implementation of safeguards. The United States and many European Union countries continue to violate their obligations under the NPT by protecting Israel, keeping its nuclear programme outside of any international control and even strengthening their cooperation with Israel to develop its military nuclear capabilities. Israel’s aggressive behaviour in the region, coupled with its remaining nuclear capabilities outside the framework of the NPT and the comprehensive safeguards agreement with the Agency, represents a real threat to safety, security and stability in the Middle East region and beyond. Furthermore, Israel continues to reject all initiatives calling for the establishment of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction -free zone in the Middle East and refuses to submit its nuclear facilities to the Agency’s safeguards. That represents a grave threat to regional and international peace and security. Therefore, the international community must not remain silent before that blatant challenge to the non-proliferation regime and must move urgently to take practical deterrent measures leading to Israel’s accession to the NPT. Action to confront Israel’s nuclear anomaly is of paramount importance in the light of the dangerous escalation of the Israeli entity’s aggression against the Palestinian people and the countries of the region, revealing its true extremist face and defying all international norms against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons. We all heard a Minister in the Israeli entity in November 2023 threaten to use nuclear weapons against the Gaza Strip, which is home to more than 2 million people. Syria strongly condemns those statements, which confirm what Israel has always concealed the fact that it possesses nuclear weapons outside international scrutiny, with the support of its allies in the United States Administration. We call on the international community and the International Atomic Energy Agency to take all measures and assume their responsibilities to uncover Israel’s clandestine nuclear programme, place it under the Agency’s comprehensive safeguards system and place its nuclear facilities and programmes under IAEA supervision. In conclusion, Syria commends the Technical Cooperation Department of the IAEA for its tireless work in preparing and following up on the implementation of technical cooperation programmes within the Agency’s mandate in the field of sustainable development at both national and regional levels. Syria looks forward to continuing its cooperation with the Agency to benefit from the technical support it provides in the field of peaceful applications of nuclear energy, particularly in the health sector. In the light of the obstacles that limit the capacity of the healthcare sector to deal with the significant challenges resulting from the illegal unilateral coercive measures imposed on Syria. We stress the need to strike an appropriate balance between all the Agency’s various programmes and activities directed at Member States. We also stress the need not to impede Member States’ access to technology for peaceful purposes and categorically reject the unilateral coercive measures imposed by Western countries on Syria and several developing countries, which impedes their ability to enjoy their right to peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

We have heard the last speaker in the debate on this item for this meeting. Since there are still a number of delegations inscribed on the speakers’ list, we shall hear the remaining speakers this afternoon at 3 p.m. in this Hall.