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Message of the Secretary-General of the United Nations delivered on behalf of
Mr. Kofi Annan by senior representative of Mr. Pino Arlacchi, Director-General of the UN Office at Vienna
In his message, the UN Secretary General conveyed warm greetings to the 43rd regular session of the General Conference and noted that the session provides a unique opportunity to survey past results and to look ahead to new challenges. He noted that the IAEA is playing a major role in advancing the highest aims of the United Nations by preventing proliferation of nuclear weapons, promoting a strong safety culture, and helping to develop the peaceful use of nuclear technology for sustainable development. In highlighting the Agency's role to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons, he expressed regret that, after the strides made in the previous year, further progress on Additional Protocols to the Safeguards Agreements has been delayed, even in countries with significant nuclear facilities. He expressed the expectation that all countries committed to strengthening the safeguards systems would be ready to turn their words into deeds and demonstrate, at next year's Review Conference of the States Party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), that they have played their part in equipping their safeguards system to deal with the challenges of the 21st century. He also expressed hope that progress will be made towards nuclear disarmament. .He noted that real progress has been made in achieving and maintaining a high level of nuclear safety worldwide, through enhancement of national measures and international co-operation. The first "peer review" meeting held last April within the framework of the Convention on Nuclear Safety demonstrated that contracting parties are taking steps in the right direction. He encouraged all Member States to do so. He noted the work of the Agency toward the establishment of a global safety culture and its crucial role in co-ordinating international efforts to reinforce national systems for the prevention and detection of, and response to, illicit trafficking. The Agency's contribution to sustainable development, a central goal of the entire United Nations System, through its Technical Co-operation programme was mentioned as an important tool to meet the needs of Member States in many fields: industry, food, agriculture, water resource and environment management, and human health. He stressed the important role of civil society in raising public awareness and shaping policy and acknowledged the efforts that the Agency is making to strengthen its relationship with civil society and the private sector. In closing, he recognized that the challenges to be faced would not disappear with the new millennium, but would test the international system to its limit. He expressed his confidence that the IAEA would do its part to help achieve success.
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