UN General Assembly: IAEA Director General Highlights the Crucial Role of Nuclear Technologies in Fighting Pandemics and Climate Change

To carry out time sensitive safeguards verification work during the pandemic, the IAEA chartered airplanes to transport inspectors during the period of travel restrictions. This and other measures enabled the IAEA to continue its work inspecting nuclear facilities around the globe– verifying that the use of nuclear material is not diverted from peaceful purposes.

Mr Grossi said that the Agency continues to verify the non-diversion of nuclear material declared by Iran under its safeguards agreement and that evaluations regarding the absence of undeclared nuclear material and activities continue.

“In August, I went to Tehran for discussions with President Rouhani and other senior officials. We reached agreement on the resolution of some safeguards implementation issues, including access by our inspectors to two locations in Iran of interest to the Agency,” said Mr Grossi. Currently, environmental samples taken at two sites are under analysis.

The monitoring of the nuclear programme of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (commonly referred to as North Korea) continues using open source information such as satellite imagery, as the IAEA does not have access to the country. He called on the country’s government to comply with its obligations under relevant Security Council resolutions and cooperate with the IAEA.

“The Democratic People's Republic of Korea’s nuclear activities remain a cause for serious concern. The continuation of the country’s nuclear programme is a clear violation of relevant Security Council resolutions and is deeply regrettable,” he said. “The Agency is intensifying its readiness to play its essential role in verifying the Democratic People's Republic of Korea’s nuclear programme.”

Mr Grossi highlighted the role of nuclear power in tackling climate change. He reflected on his participation at the  United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP25)  conference held in Madrid in December 2019. “I wanted to send a very clear message — that nuclear power is part of the solution to the climate crisis. I am keen to ensure that the Agency’s voice is heard on the great benefits of nuclear power,” he said.

The 443 nuclear power reactors in operation across 32 countries provide 10 percent of the world’s electricity and one third of its low carbon electricity, Mr Grossi noted, adding that the benefits of nuclear technologies are only possible when used safely and securely.

In a resolution  adopted following the report of the Director General, the General Assembly reaffirmed “its strong support for the indispensable role of the Agency in encouraging and assisting the development and practical application of atomic energy for peaceful uses, in technology transfer to developing countries and in nuclear safety, verification and security” and appealed “to Member States to continue to support the activities of the Agency.”

It further expressed its appreciation “for the leadership of the Director General and for the professionalism of the staff of the Agency during the COVID-19 pandemic.”