General Debate
The General Conference debate continued this morning with statements from IAEA Member States, including countries in Europe and Latin America, and organizations attending the Conference.

Selected points from statements follow:

Belgium: An expert committee is reviewing the country’s policy to decommission reactors after 40 years of service. Authorities also have taken steps in areas of radioactive waste management, and a national office of radioactive wastes and fissile materials has been set up. Belgian nuclear plants in 1999 achieved a high level of performances, with a 93% availability factor. The country further is engaged in a number of cooperative projects, including one for developing accelerator driven systems for industrial applications. Agency efforts to encourage a full and fair hearing for nuclear energy, through contributions to the Kyoto Protocol process and other channels, were welcomed. Regarding verification, Belgium has concluded an Additional Protocol to its safeguards agreement and attaches high value to the task of integrating the Agency’s safeguards system.

Spain: The country’s nuclear plants are generating more than 28% of total electricity, a significant energy contribution, and a number of steps have been taken to further improve generating capacity. A new Ministry of Science and Technology has been set up to coordinate national studies and research and development. Considerable work has been done to strengthen the management of radioactive waste and spent fuel, both in terms of oversight and in the physical facilities involved. The country welcomed progress toward the entry into force of the international Joint Convention in this field, as well as the positive outcome of the international conference on the safety of radioactive waste that Spain hosted earlier this year. The safety of radiation sources is a major concern, and Spain has taken a series of steps to improve control and management of such sources. Support was further expressed for the upcoming IAEA conference in Argentina on the regulation of radiation sources.

Poland: The statement expressed strong support for international safety conventions, particularly from the standpoint of their benefits for developing countries which are building their nuclear infrastructures. The Agency’s initiative to develop a code of conduct on radiation safety and the security of radioactive materials was welcomed. Support further was expressed for outreach efforts to broaden the nuclear debate, including public information initiatives and topical coverage of sustainable development issues through the IAEA Bulletin. On matters of nuclear verification, Poland has concluded an Additional Protocol which entered into force this year. Steps against illicit nuclear trafficking include ensuring that border checkpoints are properly equipped for monitoring and control.

Russian Federation: The statement reviewed reasons behind Russia’s strong support of nuclear power development, including the recent initiative for an international project under IAEA auspices. Nuclear power depends on the extent of the development of innovative reactors and a fuel cycle that is proliferation safe and economically competitive, and Russia welcomed the IAEA’s creation of a task force on this subject. Improvements required to sustain nuclear power development include preventing potential threats from serious accidents, radioactive wastes, and nuclear weapons proliferation. Regarding nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, Russian priorities were reviewed, including the conversion of nuclear weapon materials for peaceful uses and verification of such steps. The plutonium disposition agreement with the United States was noted, with a key future objective being the establishment of an international mechanism of guaranteed funding of the programme. Russia further places high priority on the Agency’s safeguards system; an Additional Protocol has been concluded with the IAEA; and on technical cooperation activities, to which the government is set to provide US $1 million.

Angola: Since its membership of the Agency in 1999, Angola has devoted considerable attention to establishing a better infrastructure for the control and monitoring of radiation sources. Another priority has been nuclear education and training that is essential to safely applying nuclear techniques for medical and other purposes. It welcomed the Agency’s organization of an international symposium in March 2001 on radiation protection of patients, and expressed support for a Model Project on strengthening occupational radiation protection and post-graduate training courses in areas of waste safety. Angola also expressed appreciation for the regional cooperative agreement in Africa, called AFRA, through which countries are working together on extending the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

Hungary: The country hosted an IAEA review mission of its nuclear regulatory programme and structure earlier this year which identified good practices and made recommendations for improvement. An action plan has been prepared. Hungary also has benefited from recent recommendations issued through the international safety standards programme. In areas of waste management, an Agency mission has evaluated the process of site selection for a possible repository, and recommendations were made that will assist authorities. The country attaches particular importance to regional cooperative mechanisms, including those organized by the IAEA, and has decided to share additional resources through activities of regional resource centers. Regarding verification, Hungary ratified its Additional Protocol last year, and it has now entered into force. Also established has been a national system to prevent illicit nuclear trafficking, and related training courses and emergency exercises have been organized with the Agency’s assistance.

Cuba: The country has established a solid infrastructure for nuclear safety and security. Recent steps include upgrading its capabilities in areas of radiation safety and protection and adoption of new nuclear regulations that draw upon international experience and IAEA recommendations. Particular importance is attached to nuclear applications in various fields, and appreciation was expressed for the Agency’s support of a programme to eradicate the screwworm fly from the Caribbean region. Main concerns include the drop in funding levels, in real terms, for the technical cooperation programme, and Cuba urged more predictable, stable, and sufficient financing arrangements. In this context, the financing of safeguards poses problems by placing severe budgetary pressure on developing countries, and the statement stressed the importance of solving this problem in the Agency’s best interests.

Viet Nam: The country has set up a legal and technical infrastructure for radiation and nuclear safety, a move that has enabled improved management of radioactive waste generated by a research reactor. As an predominately agricultural country, Viet Nam places priority of nuclear applications in this field. It has benefited greatly from projects in plant breeding, notably for new rice varieties with higher yield and other favourable properties. The country is planning to set up a Nuclear Agriculture Center, as well as a Tumour Center in the field of health care. Already a Center for Research and Development of Radiation Technology has been established, and the country is prepared to open it for regional activities. The country further is examining the development of nuclear power, within the framework of an IAEA project. Regarding verification, Viet Nam hosted a national workshop on safeguards earlier this month, and is active in the implementation process of the nuclear-weapon-free-zone in the region; since August, it has chaired the executive committee for this process.

Sweden: The statement reaffirmed the country’s conviction that the Agency has a highly important role as a driving force for nuclear safety in all its forms. A measured and balanced approach to nuclear power development is needed, since not all countries have decided to keep pursuing the nuclear option. Regarding verification, Sweden sees a growing role for the Agency as nuclear arsenals are reduced and more States back a ban on the production of fissionable material. A matter of high priority is the integration of the Agency’s safeguards system, and Sweden urged all countries to conclude an Additional Protocol. Also of great importance is the implementation of measures for the physical protection of nuclear material and the prevention of illicit trafficking. The statement urged States to participate in an upcoming IAEA conference on security of material in Stockholm next May.

Ireland: The country attaches great importance to issues of safety and urged the closure of reactors that cannot be upgraded to meet the highest international standards. The statement further called for countries to end reprocessing activities, expressing concerns over the operations in nearby countries. Regarding verification, Ireland welcomed progress through bilateral agreements between the US and Russia, and reported that Ireland’s ratification is imminent of the Additional Protocol to its safeguards agreement.

Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), Preparatory Commission: Since it opened for signature in September 1996, the CTBT has been signed by 160 countries. Sixty-three States have ratified the Treaty, including 30 of 44 States whose ratification is needed for the Treaty to enter into force. Recent milestones include the ratification by Russia; efforts in the USA to achieve bipartisan support for the Treaty’s ratification; China’s consideration of ratification; and financial support for a global technical verification system. The first phases of testing for passive seismic monitoring equipment is scheduled for October 2000.

Organization for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean (OPANAL): The statement reviewed the status of the Treaty of Tlatelolco which established a nuclear weapon free zone in Latin America and the Caribbean more than 30 years ago. Particularly noted were seminars on various aspects of international safeguards and nuclear non-proliferation which OPANAL has organized, including with the IAEA’s support, in and outside the region.

Brazilian-Argentine Agency for Accounting and Control of Nuclear Materials (ABACC): Since the creation of ABACC, with support from Republic of Argentina and the Federative Republic of Brazil, a solid regional safeguards system for the application of safeguards in all nuclear installations of both countries has been established. In the framework of the Quadratite Agreement between Argentina, Brazil, IAEA, and ABACC in the last year, 20 new Facility Attachments were approved, meaning that a total of 30 installations have now these documents in force. Agreement was reached on proceedings for common use of equipment in almost all nuclear installations of the regional system. A new cooperation agreement with the Korean Atomic Energy Research Institute of the Republic of Korea was signed. ABACC has started talks with the IAEA aiming at the signing of the Additional Protocol.