17 May 2013 | The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will host an International Experts’ Meeting (IEM) on Human and Organizational Factors in Nuclear Safety in the Light of the Accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant from 21 to 24 May 2013. This is part of a series of expert meetings held in connection with the implementation of the IAEA Action Plan on Nuclear Safety, endorsed by the Agency’s General Conference in September 2011.

The IEM will offer a forum to share knowledge and experience concerning human and organizational aspects of nuclear safety — in particular, the interactions between individuals, technology and organizations — as well as to identify lessons learned and best practices.

The meeting will feature a closing news briefing on 24 May at about 12:00 in Room M3 of Vienna International Centre. The briefing will feature IEM Chairperson, Marta Ziakova, Chairperson of the Slovak Nuclear Regulatory Authority, IAEA Deputy Director General for Nuclear Safety and Security Denis Flory, and IAEA Deputy Director General for Nuclear Energy Alexander Bychkov.

Among other goals, the IEM aims to:

• Identify ways to strengthen human and organizational aspects of nuclear safety in operating and regulatory organizations;
• Analyse best practices developed from previous nuclear events; and
• Exchange information on the interactions between individuals, technology and organizations and their influence on nuclear safety.

The IEM background, objectives, topics, format and other organizational details are described on the IAEA Website.

Press Access:

In addition to the closing news briefing, the meeting will offer a 10-minute photo opportunity at the start of the opening session on 21 May at 13:00 in Room M3 of the Vienna International Centre.

The remainder of the meeting will be closed to journalists.

Accreditation:

Journalists with permanent accreditation to the VIC need no further credentials. We encourage those journalists who do not yet have permanent accreditation, to request it at UNIS Vienna. All others must seek accreditation by contacting the IAEA Press Office; tel: [43-1] 2600-21273).

Background on Nuclear Action Safety Plan

The IAEA Nuclear Safety Action Plan defines a programme of work to strengthen the nuclear safety framework worldwide in light of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station accident. The Plan was unanimously endorsed by Agency’s Member States at the General Conference in September 2011. One of the Plan’s 12 main actions is “Protection of people and the environment from ionizing radiation.”

Reports from 2012 IEMs:

• IAEA Report on Reactor and Spent Fuel Safety in Light of Accident at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant
• IAEA Report on Enhancing Transparency and Communication Effectiveness in Event of a Nuclear or Radiological Emergency
• IAEA Report on Protection Against Extreme Earthquakes and Tsunamis in Light of Accident at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant

“We had intensive discussions today but could not finalize the structured approach document that has been under negotiation for a year and a half now.

“Our commitment to continue dialogue is unwavering. However, we must recognize that our best efforts have not been successful so far.

“Therefore, we will continue to try and complete this process. A date for the next meeting has still to be set.”

“Good morning everybody. 

As we indicated in February, our goal is to finalize the structured approach document. This document is aimed at facilitating the resolution of outstanding issues regarding possible military dimensions to Iran’s nuclear program. 

As you know, differences remain, but we are committed to dialogue and we are determined to solve these issues. So we will be working hard today to resolve the differences. 

 Thank you.”

In its preliminary report, the Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) mission team found that Poland’s nuclear regulator, Państwowa Agencja Atomistyki (PAA), has a clear commitment to safety, a high level of transparency, competent staff and leadership, and a good recognition of challenges ahead related to Poland’s efforts to develop nuclear power.

“Poland’s regulatory framework and the work of PAA give high confidence of strong radiation protection for the Polish people. Further, there has been significant progress in the development of Poland’s regulatory framework in preparation for the challenge of regulating nuclear power,” said team leader Robert Lewis, a senior executive in the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

The mission was conducted at the request of the Government of Poland from 15-25 April. The team was made up of 11 regulatory experts from Belgium, the Czech Republic, Finland, France, the Republic of Korea, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as five IAEA staff members.

“The IRRS review team was very thorough in its review, and we welcome its advice on how to continue to improve our programmes to protect people and the environment,” said Janusz Włodarski, President of PAA.

The team interviewed members of PAA and officials from various ministries, as well as key players in the Polish safety framework. Such IRRS missions are peer reviews based on IAEA Safety Standards, not inspections or audits.

Among its main observations the IRRS review team identified the following good practices:

•      Applying the considerable experience of PAA’s senior management to regulatory issues;

•      The introduction of changes to Poland’s laws and regulations following broad public consultation at an early stage in the development of the nuclear power programme;  and

•      PAA’s proactive approach to coordination with Poland’s Office of Technical Inspection.

The IRRS team made several recommendations and suggestions for PAA as it grows in the next few years, facing challenges and increasing demands as its nuclear power programme expands. 

To position PAA to address its growth, additional responsibilities, and the retirement of many senior managers, and to maintain its strong focus on safety for currently regulated facilities and activities, the IRRS team advised PAA to:

•       Establish and frequently review that there is a clear link between PAA’s organizational goals and objectives, and resource planning, such as staffing and strategies for external support;

•       Consider strengthening and documenting PAA’s management system; and

•       Develop and strengthen internal guidance to document authorization processes, review, assessment, and inspection procedures. 

In its preliminary report, the IAEA team’s main conclusions have been conveyed to PAA. A final report will be submitted to the Government of Poland in about three months. PAA has informed the team that the final report will be made publicly available. The IAEA encourages nations to invite a follow-up IRRS mission about two years after the mission has been completed.

Background

The team reviewed the legal and regulatory framework for nuclear safety and addressed all facilities regulated by PAA. This was the 46th IRRS mission conducted by the IAEA.

About IRRS Missions

IRRS missions are designed to strengthen and enhance the effectiveness of the national nuclear regulatory infrastructure of States, while recognizing the ultimate responsibility of each State to ensure safety in this area.

This is done through consideration of regulatory, technical and policy issues, with comparisons against IAEA safety standards and, where appropriate, good practices elsewhere.

More information about IRRS missions is available on the IAEA Website.

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The conference aims to provide a forum for policy-makers and experts to discuss and take stock of the role and viability of nuclear power in sustainable development, including climate change mitigation, and in meeting the growing global requirements for electricity. The status and prospects of nuclear power for the future, including the importance of nuclear safety and security as necessary prerequisites for nuclear power, will also be in focus, as will different technical aspects involved in the development of nuclear power.

The IAEA’s projections for the future of nuclear power show continued growth globally, albeit at a slower pace than predicted before the March 2011 accident at TEPCO’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station.

The meeting, organized by the IAEA in cooperation with the OECD’s Nuclear Energy Agency and hosted by the Government of the Russian Federation, will feature a plenary session where national statements will be delivered and panel sessions on the following topics:

 Energy and the Environment

 Nuclear Safety and Reliability Through International Cooperation

 Infrastructure, Technology and Institutional Developments — The Way Forward

 Drivers for Deployment of Sustainable and Innovative Technology

Speakers at the opening session include IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano, Rosatom Director General and Conference President Sergey Kirienko, and OECD Secretary General Angel Gurria.

Previous IAEA Ministerial Conferences on Nuclear Power in the 21st Century were held 2005 in Paris and 2009 in Beijing.

More information about the conference is available here.

Journalists wishing to cover the conference must follow procedures for media accreditation specified by Rosatom and are reminded of the need to leave time to obtain a visa if required. The deadline for accreditation is 1 June 2013.

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As requested by the Government of Japan, the IAEA team held extensive discussions with officials from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO). The team also met with officials of the Nuclear Regulation Authority. The team visited the nuclear accident site to gain first-hand information about conditions at the power plant and progress toward decommissioning the facility.

“Extraordinarily committed workers have made significant accomplishments at Fukushima Daiichi since the March 2011 accident, but Japan continues to face difficult challenges as it works to decommission the site,” said team leader Juan Carlos Lentijo, IAEA Director of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology. “We saw that TEPCO has achieved the stable cooling of the reactors and spent fuel pools at the site.”

The 13-member IAEA team examined a wide variety of issues related to decommissioning the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, such as the Roadmap’s overall strategic approach, the current condition of the reactors and spent fuel pools, the management of the huge amount of accumulated water at the site, as well as the radioactive releases.

In a draft report delivered to Japanese authorities today, the team acknowledged a number of accomplishments that have been made to prepare Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station for decommissioning. For example:

• Japan has addressed the plant’s decommissioning in a timely manner, as demonstrated by its early preparation of the Roadmap and its acceleration of plans to remove fuel from the spent fuel pools at Units 1-4.  In addition, Japan has logical and rational plans for the most complex task: removing damaged fuel from the reactors;
• TEPCO has successfully deployed advanced and large-scale treatment technologies for decontaminating and desalinating  highly radioactive water that has accumulated at the site; and
• The Government of Japan and TEPCO have recognized the importance of effective stakeholder involvement and public communication in dealing with decommissioning programmes.

In addition, the IAEA team provided advice in areas where current practices could be improved. For example:

• Launching efforts to define an end-state of the Fukushima Daiichi NPS site would help focus decommissioning efforts.  This effort should be pursued with effective stakeholder involvement;
• An assessment of TEPCO’s incident reporting and communication practices — with the government, the regulator, and the public – could help to enhance stakeholder trust and respect;
• TEPCO should continue its efforts to improve the reliability of essential systems, to assess the structural integrity of site facilities, and to enhance protection against external hazards; and
• Measures should continue to improve management issues regarding radioactive releases and radiation exposures from the site, particularly issues created by the storage of accumulated water. The team encourages Japan to assess the overall benefit of the site-boundary dose limit, particularly in relation to the radiation levels at the site boundary due to solids and liquids stored at the site.

“Our team received good cooperation from all our Japanese counterparts, who are remarkably dedicated to moving forward quickly, yet safely,” Lentijo said.  “I hope our mission can help their progress, and I know the international community is learning many lessons from the Japanese experience.”

The IAEA team’s final report will be delivered to Japan within one month.

Japan’s request for the mission came in the context of the IAEA Action Plan on Nuclear Safety, endorsed by all IAEA Member States in September 2011. The Action Plan defines a programme of work to strengthen the global nuclear safety framework, and it encourages the use of peer review missions to take full advantage of worldwide experience.

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The Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) mission, conducted at the request of the Government of Bulgaria, identified a series of good practices and made recommendations to help enhance the overall performance of the regulatory system. IRRS missions, which were initiated in 2006, are peer reviews based on the IAEA Safety Standards; they are not inspections or audits.

“Bulgaria has a clear national policy and strategy for safety, which are well in line with international standards and practices and contribute to a high level of nuclear safety,” said Mission Team Leader Marta Ziakova, Chairperson of the Nuclear Regulatory Authority of the Slovak Republic.

The mission team, which conducted the review from 8-19 April, was made up of 16 senior regulatory experts from 16 nations, and six IAEA staff.

“The results of the IRRS mission will be valuable for the future development and reinforcement of the Bulgarian Nuclear Safety Agency (BNRA). The use of international standards and good practices helps to improve global harmonization in all areas of nuclear safety and radiation protection,” said Sergey Tzotchev, Chairman of the BNRA.

Among the main observations in its preliminary report, the IRRS mission team found that BNRA operates as an independent regulatory body and conducts its regulatory processes in an open and transparent manner.

In line with the IAEA Action Plan on Nuclear Safety, the mission reviewed the regulatory implications for Bulgaria of the March 2011 accident at TEPCO’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station in Japan. It found that the BNRA’s response to the lessons learned from that accident was both prompt and effective,

Strengths and good practices identified by the IRRS team include the following:

-          A no-blame policy is enshrined in law for the notification of nuclear and radiation safety-related events;

-          Provisions established by the BNRA to manage its technical support organisations provide a good basis to use them effectively;

-          The process to establish and keep updated regulations and guidelines is well structured and involves, as necessary, relevant interested parties;

-          The BNRA has a policy of transparency and openness with the public, which covers in an effective manner the provision of information on safety-related events and protective actions during emergencies;

-          There is a complete national dose registry system that includes provision for comprehensive information gathering, which allows for thorough cause-effect analyses to be performed.

The IRRS team identified the following areas where the overall performance of the regulatory system could be enhanced:

-          demarcation of the respective roles of state authorities in the area of radiation protection safety, and establishment of formal coordination and cooperation of their regulatory functions;

-          BNRA’s resources and competence for oversight of future facilities and activities;

-          BNRA’s establishment of an integrated management system that contributes to meeting its goals in an efficient manner;

-          BNRA procedures used for the review and assessment process for all facilities and activities;

-          inspection processes, including the development and implementation of planned and systematic inspection programmes that cover all facilities and activities, and coordination among different regulatory organisations.

A final report will be submitted to the Government of Bulgaria in about three months. The BNRA announced to the mission that the report will be made publicly available. 

The IAEA encourages nations to invite a follow-up IRRS mission about two years after the initial mission has been completed.

Background

The team reviewed the legal and regulatory framework for nuclear and radiation safety, addressing all facilities and activities regulated by BNRA, including six nuclear power units, (two in operation and four in decommissioning), fuel cycle facilities, waste management facilities, and radiation sources in industrial and medical facilities.

The mission included site visits to observe inspections and an emergency exercise, and a series of interviews and discussions with BNRA staff to help assess the effectiveness of the regulatory system.

Team members came from Belgium, Brazil, Finland, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Pakistan, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain, United Kingdom and United States of America.

Quick Facts

Bulgaria has six nuclear power reactors at the Kozloduy NPP site, two of which are in operation. As of 2012, nuclear contributed 33.6 per cent of the country’s electricity production. Bulgaria has spent fuel storage facilities and waste facilities and there are 1243 license holders for sources of ionizing radiation for industrial, research and medical applications.

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The IAEA has made an offer of good offices to Iran, indicating it is ready to help the country obtain any assistance required to ensure the safety of radioactive sources such as medical equipment that may have been affected by the earthquake. The offer is in line with IAEA’s IEC routine procedures after strong earthquakes that might affect nuclear or radiological safety.

INRA said records showed no fixed high-level radiation sources were installed in the area of the earthquake, which struck near Iran’s border with Pakistan.

Juan Carlos Lentijo, IAEA, Director of Division of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology

 Team members:

Zoran Drace, IAEA, Division of Nuclear Power

Akira Izumo, IAEA, Division of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology

Christian Glorennec, EDF/CIDEN, France

Anton Leschenko, Sosny R&D Company, Russian Federation

Vladan Ljubenov, IAEA, Division of Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety

Vladimir Michal, IAEA, Division of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology

Nesimi Kilic , IAEA, Division of Nuclear Power

Jason Petti, Sandia National Laboratory, United States

Laszlo Sagi, IAEA, Division of Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety

Susanta Kumar Samanta, IAEA, Division of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology

George Stoyanov, Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission)

Greg Webb, IAEA, Division of Public Information

Iran has informed the IEC of the event, reporting that there has been no damage to the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant and no radioactive release from the installation. 

Based on this information, and the ISSC’s analysis — which considers the earthquake’s magnitude and other seismic parameters, as well as its location — the IEC is not currently seeking additional information from Iran.

This follows a power outage that began at 19:00 local time on 18 March 2013, disabling spent fuel cooling systems at Units 1, 3, and 4 and the Common Spent Fuel Pool.

The NRA said the cooling system at Unit 3 was restored at 22:43 local time on 19 March, and at the Common Spent Fuel Pool at 00:12 on 20 March.

The systems at Unit 1 and Unit 4 were restarted earlier on 19 March.

The operator, Tokyo Electric Power Company, continues to investigate the cause of the power outage.

Two of the systems – at Unit 1 and Unit 4 – were restarted today, and the system that cools the spent fuel pool of Unit 3 is set to be restarted at 20:00 local time today, according to the Authority. Work continues to restart the system that cools the Common Spent Fuel Pool.

The Authority reported that officials are watching the situation and that no abnormal radiation levels have been detected.

The operator, Tokyo Electric Power Company, is investigating the cause of the power outage.

The IAEA’s Incident and Emergency Centre remains in contact with the Japanese Nuclear Regulation Authority, and will provide updates when they become available.

“Two years have passed since disaster struck Japan. The Great East Japan Earthquake and the enormous tsunami of March 11, 2011 devastated large areas of land, caused great loss of human life, and crippled the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. I was deeply saddened by this tragedy in my homeland. But I was also inspired by the courage and resilience of the Japanese people, including the brave workers at Fukushima Daiichi.

“The International Atomic Energy Agency continues to give priority to supporting Japan’s efforts to recover from the nuclear accident. We are also helping to ensure that the world learns from those events so that we can make nuclear energy as safe as humanly possible.

“Working together, the IAEA’s 159 Member States have already made significant progress in upgrading nuclear safety. Our efforts are guided by the IAEA Action Plan on Nuclear Safety, which was unanimously endorsed by our Member States in September 2011.

“Today, virtually all Member States with nuclear power plants have completed stress tests and taken practical steps to expand and diversify safety measures.

“The IAEA has expanded the expert peer reviews which we offer to our Member States, covering areas such as the operational safety of a country’s nuclear power plants, the effectiveness of its regulatory system, and its emergency preparedness and response arrangements.

“We have thoroughly reviewed the IAEA safety standards and ways to improve them.

“The worst elements of the accident are behind us and we are now in the post-accident phase.

“We must maintain the momentum of constant improvement. I pledge that the IAEA will continue to work vigorously to help Member States to ensure nuclear safety.”

As in my first term, I will be guided by the mandate of the IAEA.  That includes the peaceful use of nuclear technologies for health, for protection of environment, for food production and other issues.  The mandate also of course includes to help to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons.  I will pursue these objectives in a balanced manner.  And in light of the economic difficulties that many countries are facing now, I will do my best to ensure the most effective management.

Challenges are many and huge, but it is a great privilege to serve as Director General of the IAEA.  I like my job, and I enjoy my job, and I’m very happy to do good in the world and to make a difference.

On this occasion, I would very much like to say that I very much value your work to pass the message to the world.  And in my second term too, I will be looking forward to meeting you as frequently as possible.

Today the Board of Governors re-appointed by acclamation the current Director General, Mr Yukiya Amano, to a further term of office for four years, from 1 December 2013 to 30 November 2017. The Board extended to Mr Amano its congratulations and best wishes on the occasion of his re-appointment.

The appointment will be before the General Conference for its approval at its next regular session in September.

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I would like to begin by congratulating the Kingdom of Swaziland on becoming the 159^th Member State of the IAEA.

Mr Chairman,

Next Monday is the second anniversary of the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Japan.

It has been a challenging two years, especially for the people and Government of Japan, but also for the IAEA. However, the worst elements of the accident are behind us and we are now in the post-accident phase.

The Agency continues to work hard to help Japan deal with the consequences of the accident. Member States are also making serious efforts to implement the lessons learned from this and from previous accidents. You have received the Nuclear Safety Review 2013 and my report on Progress in the Implementation of the IAEA Action Plan on Nuclear Safety. Both show that continuous safety improvements are being made at nuclear facilities throughout the world.

At the Fukushima Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Safety in December, the Co-Presidents emphasized the importance of strengthening the central role of the IAEA in promoting international cooperation in nuclear safety. During that Conference, I signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with the Governor of Fukushima Prefecture. We will work together on projects on radiation monitoring, remediation, human health, and capacity building in emergency preparedness and response within the RANET framework. The first meeting to launch four radiation and waste safety projects has just taken place.

A fourth post-Fukushima international expert meeting took place in January. This was on the subject of Decommissioning and Remediation after a Nuclear Accident. The Emergency Preparedness and Response Expert Group held its first meeting in February and agreed on priorities for its work.

The series of international IAEA expert meetings will continue this year. In addition, the Agency is organizing a Conference on Effective Regulatory Systems in Ottawa in April, hosted by the Government of Canada.

We have started work on a comprehensive IAEA report on the Fukushima Daiichi accident, which we hope to finalize in 2014. This is a major undertaking and I would be grateful for the active support of all Member States.

The IAEA Action Plan on Nuclear Safety calls for Member States to make more use of IAEA peer reviews. Many have done so. However, not all Member States with nuclear power have requested operational safety review – OSART – missions in line with the Action Plan. I encourage all countries to do so. This would help to achieve a high level of safety at nuclear power plants, including adequate preparedness to manage severe accidents.

Of course, nuclear safety is not just about nuclear power plants and fuel cycle facilities. It is also important to protect the public and the environment from exposure to radioactive sources, and to protect medical staff and patients from unnecessary and unintended exposure to radiation. These are issues for all countries.

In December, the Agency organized an international conference in Bonn, Germany on Radiation Protection in Medicine. The Conference agreed the Bonn Call for Action, which recommended practical measures to improve protection for patients and health workers against over-exposure to ionizing radiation.

In October this year, an International Conference on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources will be held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. I encourage all Member States to participate.

Preparations for the IAEA International Conference on Nuclear Security in July are progressing. I am grateful to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Hungary, His Excellency Mr Janos Martonyi, for agreeing to serve as President of this Conference. I encourage all countries to participate at ministerial level. The Ambassador of Hungary will take the lead in coordinating open-ended consultations among Member States. The Ambassador of Brazil, who has been acting as Chairman of the Programme Committee for this Conference, will act as Co-Chair. I thank Ambassadors Csuday and Vinhas for their willingness to take on these important roles.  

Nuclear Energy

Mr Chairman,

Turning now to nuclear energy, the Nuclear Technology Review 2013 shows that global nuclear capacity increased again last year after its post-Fukushima drop in 2011. Construction began on seven new power reactors, up from four in 2011. The number of new reactors under construction now stands at 66. The UAE is the first new country in 27 years to have started building a nuclear power plant. I visited the site in January and saw first-hand the impressive progress that has already been made.

As you know, the Agency is organizing an International Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Power in the 21st Century, hosted by the Government of the Russian Federation, in St Petersburg in June. I thank Mr Sergey Kirienko, Director General of the Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation ­– Rosatom – for agreeing to preside over this event. The Conference will consider the role of nuclear power in sustainable development and in meeting growing global electricity needs. I hope the Conference will be well attended at the ministerial level, as well as by scientists and representatives of the nuclear industry.

Since the last Board Meeting, we have carried out Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) missions to Vietnam and South Africa. The South African mission was the first in Africa, as well as the first to a country with an operating nuclear power plant. I was in South Africa for the end of the INIR mission last month and was able to visit the Koeberg nuclear power plant. This gave me an opportunity to see many of the measures agreed under the Action Plan being implemented on the ground.

We have circulated a Project and Supply Agreement covering the request by Jamaica for assistance in securing the transfer of low enriched uranium fuel for a research reactor. The Agency, in cooperation with the United States and Canada, is assisting Jamaica in converting a 20 kilowatt research reactor from the use of high enriched to low enriched uranium.

Assurance of Supply

Turning now to the IAEA LEU Bank project, meetings with the Government of Kazakhstan to discuss a Host State Agreement have continued. The Agency undertook 11 technical missions to Kazakhstan between July 2012 and January 2013. These included safety and security peer reviews. We have made some recommendations about the site to the Kazakh authorities.

I will continue to keep the Board informed of developments.

Nuclear Applications

Mr Chairman,

The non-power part of the Nuclear Technology Review 2013 focuses on three areas: food security and safety, cancer diagnosis and treatment, and climate change. To give you some examples, the NTR looks at how nuclear techniques such as irradiation are being used to improve food security and safety. It outlines recent advances in radiotherapy which make possible more precise treatment of certain cancers, with reduced damage to surrounding tissue. The Review also contains a discussion of the role that nuclear techniques play in understanding climate change and adapting to its effects.

As you know, I plan a modernization of our nuclear applications laboratories in Seibersdorf. We are developing a concept which identifies the equipment and facilities needed to ensure that the laboratories are equipped to serve the evolving needs of Member States. We aim to finance this initiative through a mixture of extrabudgetary and regular budget funding. I am grateful to countries which have already pledged financial support and I encourage other countries to do so. We plan a briefing to update Member States on this very important initiative.

The modernization of the laboratories will include the construction of a Cancer Training Centre to provide training in cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Our Programme of Action for Cancer Therapy has conducted the fiftieth imPACT Review mission. This is an important milestone for this key Agency service, which has helped many countries to develop integrated cancer control approaches. Last month, I had an opportunity to visit the Ocean Road Cancer Institute in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. I saw radiotherapy equipment provided by the Agency being put to very good use. My meetings with patients and staff brought home to me yet again just how important our work on cancer control is to the people of many developing countries.

We plan to take a closer look at the role nuclear techniques can play in industry in developing countries. In cooperation with UN partners, such as UNIDO, we aim to identify how we can assist in priority areas where nuclear techniques can add value, and where private industry does not play a leading role.

In July last year, we announced the launch of the IAEA Ocean Acidification International Coordination Centre. In November, we organized a workshop which brought together scientific experts and economists to discuss the socio-economic impacts of ocean acidification on fisheries and aquaculture. It was made possible by the generous support of Member States through the Peaceful Uses Initiative.

As you know, the Agency provides a range of services to Member States in the environmental field. I have decided that this year’s Scientific Forum, which will take place during the General Conference in September, will focus on environmental issues.

Nuclear Verification

ECAS Project

Turning now to nuclear verification, the ECAS project – Enhancing Capabilities of the Safeguards Analytical Services – is making impressive progress. The new Nuclear Material Laboratory building is around 80 per cent complete. It is on schedule and within budget. The project team is planning the transition of scientific functions from the old to the new laboratory. This will be phased in from the second half of this year until late 2014. Everything is being done to ensure cost efficiencies.

I am grateful for the support of Member States which have contributed so far. But we still need some 12 million euros to complete this project. I encourage all Member States in a position to do so to make a financial contribution. I hope to invite you to visit the new laboratory building before the end of the year.

Ensuring the physical security of the Safeguards Analytical Services facilities is extremely important. An International Physical Protection Advisory Service mission has just begun examining the physical protection procedures and practices at the laboratories.

Conclusion of Safeguards Agreements and Additional Protocols

You have before you a draft additional protocol for the Kingdom of Denmark with respect to Greenland.

The number of States with additional protocols in force now stands at 119. I urge remaining States to conclude additional protocols as soon as possible. Late last year, I wrote to the 13 States parties to the NPT which do not have comprehensive safeguards agreements in force, encouraging them to bring such agreements into force without delay. I renew my call to States with small quantities protocols that have not yet done so to amend or rescind their protocols.

Application of Safeguards in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea

Mr Chairman,

I deeply regret the announcement by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) on 12 February that it had conducted a third test of a nuclear weapon, despite calls from the international community not to do so.  This is a clear violation of UN Security Council resolutions. Once again, I strongly urge the DPRK to fully implement all relevant resolutions of the Security Council, the IAEA General Conference and the Board of Governors.

The announcement of a third test raised serious concerns within the international community. I reiterate my call for the DPRK to fully comply with the NPT and to cooperate promptly and fully with the Agency. The IAEA remains ready to contribute to the peaceful resolution of this issue by resuming its nuclear verification activities once political agreement is reached among the countries concerned.

Implementation of Safeguards in the Islamic Republic of Iran

Mr Chairman,

Concerning safeguards implementation in Iran, the Agency continues to verify the non-diversion of nuclear material declared by Iran under its Safeguards Agreement. However, Iran is not providing the necessary cooperation to enable us to provide credible assurance about the absence of undeclared nuclear material and activities. The Agency therefore cannot conclude that all nuclear material in Iran is in peaceful activities.

As detailed in my report, Iran has recently begun installing IR-2m centrifuges at the Fuel Enrichment Plant at Natanz. This is the first time that centrifuges more advanced than the IR-1 have been installed for production purposes. Construction of the IR-40 Reactor continues and Iran has stated that the reactor is expected to begin operating in the first quarter of 2014.

On the structured approach, the Agency and Iran have had three rounds of talks since November 2012. However, it has not been possible to reach agreement. Access to the Parchin site has not been granted. I am therefore, once again, unable to report any progress on the clarification of outstanding issues, including those relating to possible military dimensions to Iran’s nuclear programme.

As far as the way forward is concerned, the Agency remains committed to engaging in constructive dialogue with Iran in order to resolve all outstanding issues, as called for in the Board resolution of 18 November 2011. It should be stressed, however, that agreement on the structured approach must be consistent with effective verification. Also, negotiations must proceed with a sense of urgency and a focus on achieving concrete results in the near term.

I would like to make clear that the structured approach document is not an end in itself. Nor is the negotiation process. We must not lose sight of the ultimate goal, which is to resolve all outstanding issues related to Iran’s nuclear programme. Dialogue should produce results. Timing is also important. In its resolution of 13 September 2012, the Board said that it was essential for Iran “to immediately conclude and implement” the structured approach.

I request Iran once again to provide access to the Parchin site without further delay, whether or not agreement has been reached on the structured approach. Providing access to the Parchin site would be a positive step which would help to demonstrate Iran’s willingness to engage with the Agency on the substance of our concerns.

I would like to be able to report real progress to the next meeting of the Board in June.

I urge Iran to take steps towards the full implementation of its Safeguards Agreement, and its other obligations, and to engage with us to achieve concrete results on all outstanding issues.

Implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement in the Syrian Arab Republic

As far as implementation of safeguards in the Syrian Arab Republic is concerned, I renew my call to Syria to cooperate fully with us in connection with unresolved issues related to the Dair Alzour site and other locations.

Management and Budget Issues

Mr Chairman,

Let me touch on a number of management issues.

My report on Information Security at the IAEA outlines significant improvements made in the last two years in the way in which confidential information, and the Agency’s IT systems, are protected.

Last month, we presented highlights of the 2014–2015 Draft Programme and Budget to an informal meeting of the Programme and Budget Committee. To respond effectively to Member State needs, I estimate that a 2.1% real increase in the 2014 Regular Budget will be necessary. In formulating our proposal, we took account of the global financial situation, the increasing needs of Member States for Agency services, and our ability to deliver our programmes in the most effective and efficient manner. I believe this is a measured and reasonable proposal.

We have focused on areas of high priority to Member States. Highlights include increased spending on PACT, which, I propose, should become a Division in the Department of Technical Cooperation. I am proposing a total of 5.7 million euros for the IAEA Action Plan on Nuclear Safety. The regular budget of the Office of Nuclear Security should increase. I also propose that it should become a Division in the Department of Nuclear Safety and Security. Extra support will go to the technical cooperation programme. And I propose 2.7 million euros as seed capital to modernize the nuclear applications laboratories.

We have made vigorous efforts to find tangible savings and reductions in other areas of the budget. The number of projects has been reduced by almost 30%. Efficiencies have been found in travel, in the use of commercially available, standardized equipment, and in the improved management of supplies. The wider use of AIPS will enable us to reduce the number of General Services staff, saving over €2 million by 2015. Nevertheless, an increase in funding along the lines proposed will be necessary to meet the requirements of Member States. I look forward to your favourable consideration of our proposal in the coming months.

Work has begun on the third phase of the AIPS Project, which will cover human resources and payroll. It will be completed in the first half of 2014.

I note with concern that we are experiencing continuing problems with contributions to the Technical Cooperation Fund. Last year, the rate of attainment was around 88%, compared to 86% in 2011 and a high of 96% in 2008. Demand for our assistance is constantly increasing. Eighteen countries have joined the Agency since 2008, 17 of which are developing countries. It is essential that payments to the TCF are made on time and in full.

Finally, I wish to invite you all to an event tomorrow marking International Women’s Day. A panel discussion involving female ambassadors from five Member States will start at 1.15 in the M02 foyer, just outside the Boardroom. This event, chaired by Deputy Director General Janice Dunn Lee, is intended to recognise the vitally important contribution of women to the work of the IAEA. I hope to see many of you there.

Thank you, Mr Chairman.

AP: did you get closer to agreement; did you make progress?

You will understand that this is part of the negotiation and it is difficult for me to comment on that. Thank you.

EFE: are you going to meet again?

We haven’t agreed yet on a date of the next meeting so we will inform you in due course.

In response to a question on how optimistic the team is:

“We will have a good negotiation.” 

In response to a question regarding the DPRK’s announced nuclear test:

“As the DG has said, we deeply regret the announcement of a nuclear test of DPRK. We as a safeguards department are ready to go to DPRK and to resume our verification activities as soon as the Member State concerned have a political agreement on this.”

“I understand that the DPRK announced it had carried out a third test of a nuclear weapon, despite calls from the international community not to do so.  This is deeply regrettable and is in clear violation of UN Security Council resolutions,” he said.

The Director General strongly urged the DPRK to fully implement all relevant UN Security Council resolutions and all relevant IAEA Board of Governors resolutions.

“The IAEA remains ready to contribute to the peaceful resolution of the DPRK nuclear issue by resuming its nuclear verification activities in the country as soon as the political agreement is reached among countries concerned,” Director General Amano added.

On 25 January 2013 officials of the EU and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) met in Brussels for a first ever Senior Level meeting bringing together officials from the European External Action Service and various EU Commission Services with senior officials from the IAEA to discuss enhanced cooperation between the institutions.

The meeting was co-chaired by Senior Commission and EEAS officials (Acting Deputy Director-General Peter Faross, Directorate-General for Energy; and Managing Director Mara Marinaki, European External Action Service) on the EU side and Assistant Director General for Policy, Mr. Rafael Grossi, on the IAEA side. Other Senior Officials participated from the relevant Directorates General of the Commission, the European External Action Service)  Services and the relevant IAEA Divisions.

The meeting addressed ongoing cooperation and common goals of both institutions in the areas of Nuclear Safety, Nuclear Security, Nuclear Applications, Technical Cooperation, Nuclear Energy and Nuclear Safeguards.

Priorities, areas for future work and possible deepening of collaboration, coordination and enhanced visibility were also discussed, in particular the following issues:

-         Strengthen Nuclear Safety and Security cooperation (finalize a Memorandum of Understanding on Nuclear Safety by summer 2013; contribute to the IAEA Action Plan on Nuclear Safety including through the findings of the EU “Stress tests”; enhance cooperation and coordination between the EU CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear ) Centre of Excellence and the IAEA Network of Nuclear Security Support Centres);

-         Expand cooperation in Science, Research and Innovation (including Fusion Technology); Technical Cooperation; Nuclear Applications; and in other relevant areas.

-         Consider joint activities in the field of Human Health (Cancer Therapy, Nutrition), Water Management and Environmental Protection;

-         Enhance project impact.

Participants agreed on next steps, including conducting a next Senior Officials Meeting towards the end 2013, the establishment of ad hoc working groups for follow up and ensuring enhanced visibility of joint activities.

Annex: Fact Sheet on important EU contributions to the IAEA: http://www.iaea.org/newscenter/pressreleases/eucontribution.pdf