INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY’S NUCLEAR SAFETY STANDARDS SERVE ENVIRONMENT,

HUMANITY, SAYS SECRETARY-GENERAL IN MESSAGE, CALLING FOR UNIVERSAL ADHERENCE

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message to the fifty-second session of the General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), as delivered by the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Sergio Duarte, 29 September, in Vienna:

I am pleased to send my greetings to the fifty-second session of the General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

As the world responds to the challenges associated with the expansion of nuclear energy and technologies for its peaceful use, the Agency continues its diverse efforts to help States develop effective nuclear infrastructures, promote nuclear safety and security and implement safeguards in nuclear facilities around the world.  Future progress in nuclear disarmament may also bring opportunities for the Agency in the area of verification, transparency and irreversibility.

This year marks the fiftieth anniversary of the establishment of the Agency’s nuclear safety standards, which have well served the interests of humanity and the environment.  I call upon States that have not yet done so to observe or abide by them as soon as possible.

The Agency continues to be engaged with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and Iran.  Its contributions in both of these areas stand to benefit the global nuclear non-proliferation regime.

Finally, the Agency is also looking constructively towards its future.  The recent report of the Commission of Eminent Persons on the Future of the Agency underlined the need to reinvigorate the global nuclear order, and to reduce the risk of nuclear proliferation while expanding the contribution of nuclear technologies to human welfare.

I am strongly committed to working in partnership with the Agency, Member States and the international community to promote the benefits of peaceful nuclear energy and pursue further progress in nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.  Please accept my best wishes for a successful conference.

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For information media • not an official record