42nd IAEA General Conference

Islamic Republic of Iran, Mr. Aghazadeh Reza, Vice President of the Islamic Republic of Iran:

The delegate congratulated Honduras and Angola on their membership to the IAEA. He noted that it would become increasingly imperative to define, more precisely, the role of the Agency in the next millennium. Commenting on the current global reliance on limited, non-renewable, fossil fuel sources and the demand for energy from the world’s growing population, he indicated that the present energy sources would be insufficient to support future economic growth in a great part of the world. Summarizing the current international energy issues, he indicated that the challenge would be to balance various considerations: fair and equitable distribution, cost effectiveness, and technology transfer. The IAEA and other international energy organizations should play a cooperative role. The delegate indicated that the IAEA should have a more pronounced role in making nuclear power plants more accessible, especially in developing countries through addressing issues relating to nuclear safety and waste. He suggested that the Agency establish a fund be to facilitate this process. He stressed that while some countries were now relying less on nuclear power as an energy source due to national considerations, that should not undermine the role of the IAEA in transferring technology for peaceful applications as stipulated under the Treaty on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). While noting deficiencies in the progress on NPT since 1995, he emphasized that pursuing negotiations on global nuclear disarmament, beginning negotiations on the Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT), and bringing Israel’s nuclear facilities under full scale safeguards be seriously considered. Recalling the IAEA’s compliance verification role, the delegate noted that despite agreement on the 1995 provision, the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) continues to assume the role of a compliance body. He called upon the NSG and the Zanger Committee to be more transparent and open to participation by interested States. Turning to selected agenda items, he called upon the IAEA to undertake Regional Projects to protect the Caspian Sea, the location of recent unconfirmed dumping of nuclear waste. Further he indicated that measures relating to Neptunium, Americium, and safeguarding of fissile materials resulting from nuclear arms should not add to the Agency’s existing budget. In closing, the delegate noted with appreciation the close co-operation with the Department of Technical Co-operation in the fields of medicine, agriculture, industry, and safety. Indicating a willingness to collaborate with other regional states in the peaceful applications of nuclear energy through technology transfer, he invited the Agency to consider the Islamic Republic of Iran as a centre for Regional Nuclear Technical Co-operation.

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Islamic Republic of Iran, Mr. Aghazadeh Reza, Vice President of the Islamic Republic of Iran:



The delegate congratulated Honduras and Angola on their membership to the IAEA. He noted that it would become increasingly imperative to define, more precisely, the role of the Agency in the next millennium. Commenting on the current global reliance on limited, non-renewable, fossil fuel sources and the demand for energy from the world’s growing population, he indicated that the present energy sources would be insufficient to support future economic growth in a great part of the world. Summarizing the current international energy issues, he indicated that the challenge would be to balance various considerations: fair and equitable distribution, cost effectiveness, and technology transfer. The IAEA and other international energy organizations should play a cooperative role. The delegate indicated that the IAEA should have a more pronounced role in making nuclear power plants more accessible, especially in developing countries through addressing issues relating to nuclear safety and waste. He suggested that the Agency establish a fund be to facilitate this process. He stressed that while some countries were now relying less on nuclear power as an energy source due to national considerations, that should not undermine the role of the IAEA in transferring technology for peaceful applications as stipulated under the Treaty on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). While noting deficiencies in the progress on NPT since 1995, he emphasized that pursuing negotiations on global nuclear disarmament, beginning negotiations on the Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT), and bringing Israel’s nuclear facilities under full scale safeguards be seriously considered. Recalling the IAEA’s compliance verification role, the delegate noted that despite agreement on the 1995 provision, the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) continues to assume the role of a compliance body. He called upon the NSG and the Zanger Committee to be more transparent and open to participation by interested States. Turning to selected agenda items, he called upon the IAEA to undertake Regional Projects to protect the Caspian Sea, the location of recent unconfirmed dumping of nuclear waste. Further he indicated that measures relating to Neptunium, Americium, and safeguarding of fissile materials resulting from nuclear arms should not add to the Agency’s existing budget. In closing, the delegate noted with appreciation the close co-operation with the Department of Technical Co-operation in the fields of medicine, agriculture, industry, and safety. Indicating a willingness to collaborate with other regional states in the peaceful applications of nuclear energy through technology transfer, he invited the Agency to consider the Islamic Republic of Iran as a centre for Regional Nuclear Technical Co-operation.