Secretary-General, in Video Message, Congratulates Atomic Energy Agency for Assisting ‘Historic’ Agreement on Iran’s Nuclear Programme

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s video message to the fifty-ninth regular session of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) General Conference, in Vienna, today:

I am pleased to greet the General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency.  I commend the Director-General Yukio Amano and Agency staff for their diligent efforts to help Member States realize the safe and secure benefits of nuclear energy while protecting against its misuse.

Over the past 12 months, the Agency has made a significant contribution to international peace, security, health and development.  I congratulate the Agency for its efforts in assisting the P5+1 and Iran in reaching a diplomatic solution to the issue of Iran’s nuclear programme.

The Joint Comprehensive Programme of Action is a historic agreement.  It shows the value of dialogue and, if implemented by all in good faith, can generate real security benefits for the region and beyond.  It is essential that this agreement be given every opportunity to succeed.

The Agency will play a critical role in that effort, in particular, in verifying compliance with Iran’s safeguards agreement and in ensuring the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear programme.  The United Nations stands ready to assist the IAEA and the countries concerned.

I look forward to building a strengthened partnership with the IAEA in our shared efforts to realize a world free of nuclear weapons.  Please accept my best wishes for a productive conference.  Thank you.