General Debate
Delegates from IAEA Member States in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia presented statements to the Agency’s General Conference, which continued its General Debate Monday afternoon.

Selected points from statements follow:

Sudan: Nuclear technologies have contributed significantly in areas of human health, specifically for combating malaria which kills two million people in Africa every year. While appreciating the Agency’s assistance, Sudan underlined the need for greater support through channels of technical cooperation and other means.

Italy: The safety of research reactors is of major concern to Italy; in welcoming Agency initiatives, it urged immediate efforts to properly decommission research reactors that have been shut down worldwide. Another important area is radioactive waste management, and the Italian Ministry of Industry has issued strategic guidelines for managing wastes from past nuclear activities. Regarding nuclear verification, Italy is committed to ratifying the Additional Protocol to its safeguards agreement, possibly in the early months of next year.

Islamic Republic of Iran: The statement expressed support for the Russian initiative calling for international cooperation through the IAEA on advanced nuclear energy technologies, and emphasized the importance of the nuclear option to help developing countries meet their electricity needs. Regarding nuclear verification, Iran believes that the time is right for a convention to ban nuclear weapons, similar to conventions banning chemical and biological weapons worldwide. Reaffirmed was Iran’s longstanding position on the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free-zone in the Middle East, and the statement recalled the conclusion of the recent NPT Review Conference on the necessity for all States to place all their nuclear facilities under comprehensive IAEA safeguards. Iran welcomed the IAEA Director General’s efforts in assisting the region’s countries on the application of safeguards.

Burkina Faso: The country has established a national atomic energy authority to ensure adherence to regulations governing its nuclear programmes. Many projects and activities are being carried out in the country and Africa within the IAEA framework. The statement called upon developed countries to share their knowledge and experience with smaller countries, to help them solve major problems being faced. Regarding safety issues, the country supports the preparation of a code of conduct on the safety of radiation sources and security of radioactive material.

Ukraine: The national decision to close the Chernobyl plant (unit 3) was reaffirmed, with 15 December the target date. Many steps are involved in this process, and much work remains to be done; the statement expressed appreciation to the assistance of the European Community, the Group of Seven countries, and the IAEA in this connection. Of major concern are the costs of closure and the delivery of replacement fuel supplies. Regarding nuclear verification, Ukraine recently signed the Additional Protocol to its safeguards agreement, underscoring its commitment to non-proliferation. The country also is actively participating in the review of the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material under IAEA auspices.

Tunisia: The statement noted issues of special importance to Tunisia; they include measures against illicit trafficking in nuclear materials; radioactive waste disposal; protection of the marine environment; the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free-zone in the middle East; and the universality of safeguards on nuclear materials and activities. High priority is attached to nuclear applications for the basic needs of development, and Tunisia particularly welcomed advances in developing smaller reactors for producing electricity and desalinating seawater.

Bangladesh: The country is strengthening its nuclear safety infrastructure to cover the licensing of radiation facilities and a training programme; a separate regulatory agency will be set up as well, and a nuclear power authority is being formulated. An Action Plan for nuclear power development has been prepared, with bids invited for the country’s first nuclear power plant project. Regarding nuclear verification, Bangladesh reaffirmed its intention to ratify the Additional Protocol to its safeguards agreement. Regarding nuclear applications, the country is benefiting from IAEA assistance in investigating grave problems of groundwater contamination with arsenic, and in applying nuclear analytical tools in industry and other fields.

Belarus: Developments in nuclear technology and safety may enable Belarus to consider the nuclear power option earlier than once planned, though the public remains largely skeptical; the country presently has no nuclear electricity plants. The country has signed and ratified international conventions in fields of nuclear safety and has established a national safety infrastructure. The statement noted the heightened awareness of safety in Belarus, a consequence of the Chernobyl accident, and emphasized that Belarus still faces considerable problems arising from that catastrophe. On matters of nuclear non-proliferation, Belarus is establishing a database for the control and monitoring of radioactive substances as a preventive measure against illicit trafficking.

Indonesia: New regulations on nuclear and radiation safety and on the use of nuclear energy have been issued to facilitate the application of international safety standards. Helpful in this connection were two regional workshops supported by the IAEA designed to assist countries in strengthening national capabilities in areas of safety. Regarding nuclear technologies, the country earlier this year inaugurated a new research reactor. The National Nuclear Energy Agency further has developed partnerships with various ministries, provincial governments, universities, and non-governmental organizations on the development and application of nuclear techniques for attaining developmental goals. Regarding nuclear verification, Indonesia has signed and ratified the Additional Protocol to its safeguards agreement, and has played an active role in the implementation process of the South-East Asia Nuclear Weapons Free Zone Treaty.

Algeria: The statement recalled the outcome of the recent NPT Review Conference, which reaffirmed the important roles of the IAEA for peaceful nuclear development and global nuclear security. It further emphasized the necessity of providing the Agency with sufficient human and financial resources to carry out its work.

Holy See: The statement attached particular importance to the Agency’s work for strengthening the effectiveness and efficiency of the safeguard system and for strengthening cooperation in areas of safety. It called upon States to extend the advantages of nuclear energy to benefit the most disadvantaged countries, where nuclear techniques can help to significantly improve living conditions.

South Africa: The country has revised its nuclear safety legislation and completed extensive reviews at the Koeberg nuclear plant. Currently under development is a national radioactive waste management policy and strategy that will pave the way for the country’s adherence to the international Joint Convention in this field. The statement expressed appreciation for the Agency’s support in reviewing the technical and economic feasibility, safety, and non-proliferation aspects of the Pebble Bed Modular Reactor under development. It further noted South Africa’s regional role in providing education in radiation protection to African Member States, and its establishment with Agency assistance of a center for post-graduate education at Witwaterstrand University. Also established there was a regional center for isotope studies, which is making major contributions to many water projects. Regarding nuclear verification, South Africa has initiated legal steps required for its signature and ratification of the Additional Protocol to its safeguards agreements, a process that should be finalized in due course.