Chair,

Ukraine would like to deliver the following joint statement on behalf of the following 55 delegations: Albania, Argentina, Austria Australia Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Ecuador,  Estonia,  Finland, France, Georgia,  Germany,  Greece,  Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Latvia,  Lithuania,  Luxembourg,  Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay,  Poland,  Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania, San Marino, Singapore,  Slovakia,  Slovenia,  Spain,  Sweden, Switzerland, Turkiye, Ukraine, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America, Uruguay and European Union

Since the last ICONS in 2020, nuclear security has faced unprecedented threats and challenges which have affected the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and undermined international peace and security.

For the first time in history, an IAEA Member State has deliberately attacked and seized control of peaceful nuclear facilities belonging to another IAEA Member State.

Since the start of Russia’s brutal, unprovoked, and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine, the nuclear security situation in Ukraine has become a matter of grave concern for the entire international community.

On 4 March 2022, Russian military forces attacked and seized control of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, the largest in Europe. We condemn Russia’s seizure and militarization of the ZNPP, which could lead to potentially severe consequences for nuclear safety and security. Russia’s willful disregard of international law, its presence and actions at the ZNPP, and its attacks on Ukraine’s critical energy infrastructure continue to place Ukraine and the wider region at risk.

Russia’s ongoing invasion also raises security concerns related to nuclear and radioactive materials within Ukraine, including the increased risk of illicit nuclear trafficking. We remain concerned that the ongoing war unduly impedes the Agency’s ability to effectively and efficiently implement safeguards in Ukraine.

Chair,

We express our deep gratitude and support to the IAEA and its Director General for their continuous and tireless efforts to prevent a nuclear accident or incident in Ukraine. We emphasize the importance of the DG’s “seven indispensable pillars for ensuring nuclear safety and security in an armed conflict”. We also reaffirm that the five concrete principles for the ZNPP, as announced by the DG at the UN Security Council, should be adhered to, in full respect of Ukraine’s sovereign and territorial integrity.

Our delegations value the continued presence of IAEA support and assistance missions at all Ukrainian Nuclear Facilities, including the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. We reaffirm the need for Agency personnel to have full and timely access to all relevant locations and information for safety and security at the ZNPP and to continue to report on developments.

Chair,

Our delegations reaffirm our collective calls on Russia to heed the calls of four IAEA Board of Governors resolutions and the 2023 IAEA General Conference resolution to immediately withdraw its military forces and other unauthorized personnel from the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and to fully respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. This remains the only way to restore Ukraine’s control over its nuclear facilities and to ensure their safe and secure operation.

We also call on States Parties to relevant international instruments to strengthen international cooperation in case of a radiological emergency, including through support to Ukraine with the maintenance of security at its nuclear facilities. We call for continued efforts to hold Russia accountable for its ongoing threats to nuclear security in Ukraine.

Thank you.