(As prepared for delivery)
Before I begin, I would like to welcome the Republic of Maldives as the newest member of the IAEA, bringing us to 181 Member States.
Mr Chairperson,
You have heard my statement on the very grave situation in the Islamic Republic of Iran and the wider Middle East region during this morning’s special session of the Board of Governors. I will shortly return to the topic and also update you on the situation regarding Iran’s nuclear programme before the commencement of these most recent military strikes.
Let me first turn to the situation in Ukraine, where the war has just entered its fifth year. As I said in this room just a few weeks ago, it continues to pose a grave threat to nuclear safety.
The situation at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) remains extremely challenging, particularly regarding off-site power, cooling water and the plant’s proximity to the frontline.
The plant is depending on its sole remaining main power line after losing its only back?up line more than two weeks ago.
I reached out to both sides and a ceasefire has been agreed. Preparatory work, including de-mining activities, was completed over the weekend at the 330 kV switchyard of the Zaporizhzhya Thermal Power Plant (ZTPP), where repairs are now happening. The IAEA team deployed at the ZNPP is observing repair work. This is the fifth ceasefire for such repairs that we have facilitated between the Russian Federation and Ukraine. Off-site power lines to ZNPP were disconnected on multiple occasions over the past three months, including two total losses of off-site power, bringing the total to twelve since the start of the war.
These repeated outages underline the importance of maintaining secure off-site power under the Five Principles. While Agency staff experts monitored winter conditions closely, attention is now turning to the availability of cooling water in the coming months. With the ongoing conflict, a longer-term cooling water solution may eventually be required, even with all reactors in cold shutdown.
Agency teams at the Khmelnytsky, Rivne and South Ukraine nuclear power plants reported continued safety challenges linked to military activity and damage to electrical infrastructure. All sites experienced off-site power disruptions. In January and February one unit at the Khmelnytsky plant twice shut down automatically, while the Chornobyl site temporarily lost off-site power and relied on emergency diesel generators.
Agency missions conducted between December 2025 and February 2026 concluded that Ukraine’s high-voltage transmission system has further deteriorated, increasing risks to operating reactors.
In November, the Agency conducted a comprehensive safety assessment of the New Safe Confinement at the Chornobyl site following the drone strike the previous year. The mission observed structural damage that prevents ventilation systems from operating as designed, leaving the confinement unable to fully perform its intended function. Urgent stabilization measures have been identified, but further work is required to restore ventilation functionality, ensure leak-tightness and address corrosion risks.
International cooperation, including through the work of the IAEA and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), will be essential to restore the New Safe Confinement so that dismantling of unstable structures around Unit 4 can proceed safely.
Since the Agency established its continuous presence at Ukraine’s nuclear facilities more than three years ago, over 170 staff members have deployed to Ukraine, totalling more than 550 person-months of work assessing nuclear safety and security conditions.
In addition, the Agency continues delivering equipment and technical support under its comprehensive assistance programme for Ukraine. We have received 29 official equipment requests and arranged more than 200 deliveries, including of communications systems, power supply equipment, radiation monitoring devices, vehicles, protective equipment and medical supplies.
Under the ISAMKO programme, Ukraine received water analysers, laboratory equipment and monitoring systems to address consequences of flooding following the Kakhovka dam destruction.
Since the start of the conflict, equipment worth more than €22 million has been delivered to support safe and secure operations.
Capacity-building support has included remote training in nuclear safety, mental health and isotope hydrology. Assistance on the safety and security of radioactive sources continues under the ISAMRAD programme, with priority given to strengthening physical protection and safe handling.
I thank the 30 donor states and the European Union for their contributions. However, current unfunded priority needs amount to €15 million, and contributions declined in 2025 compared with previous years, placing the sustainability of the programme at risk beyond 2026. Your support remains essential to continue the IAEA’s indispensable work.
Mr Chairperson,
The Agency continues to provide independent verification of the safety of ALPS-treated water discharges from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station.
A marine environmental monitoring sampling mission was conducted in February 2026 under the IAEA additional measures. IAEA officials and experts from third?party laboratories visited Japan to collect samples, which were then sent to all participating laboratories for radionuclide activity analysis.
International participation has included Belgium, China, France, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Russia, and Switzerland. TEPCO plans to start this week the discharge into the sea of the 18th batch of diluted ALPS-treated water. The Agency confirms that tritium concentrations of batches that have already been released were far below operational limits and consistent with international safety standards.
A Task Force review is scheduled for May, and the Agency is also in the process of strengthening the Fukushima Laboratory’s analytical capabilities. We continue to assist with the managed recycling and disposal of soil from decontamination activities following the accident 15 years ago.
We are marking several additional important milestones, including 40 years since the Chornobyl disaster and 30 years since the Convention on Nuclear Safety entered into force.
Immense progress has been made in developing a global safety-first culture. The international community continues to invest in extending that progress, with the IAEA playing its central role.
With regards to liability, in January an amendment to the Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage was adopted by consensus, removing the requirement for States without nuclear reactors to contribute public funds.
The Agency’s Nuclear Safety Review 2026 and Nuclear Security Review 2026 have been submitted for comment. They provide analytical overviews of global trends and Agency activities, highlighting priorities for 2026 and beyond.
This spring here in Vienna, the Agency will convene two major conferences: the International Conference on the Safe and Secure Transport of Nuclear and Radioactive Material in March, and the International Conference on Effective Nuclear and Radiation Regulatory Systems in April. The Commission on Safety Standards will meet in March to advance long-term planning for safety standards, including provisions for new technologies. In April, the Tenth Review Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Convention on Nuclear Safety will take place.
Mr Chairperson,
Today, 413 nuclear power reactors are in operation in 31 countries, comprising more than 377 gigawatts of installed capacity and providing almost 10 per cent of the world’s total electricity generation. Sixty-seven reactors totalling over 70 gigawatts of installed capacity are under construction in 16 countries, three of which are newcomers.
Interest in nuclear power continues to expand, across countries and technology companies looking to power data centres for Artificial Intelligence.
In December, that interest was reflected in the dynamic discussion among a wide set of stakeholders at the IAEA’s first International Symposium on Artificial Intelligence and Nuclear Energy.
Following on from the successful inaugural Nuclear Energy Summit held in Brussels two years ago, the Government of the French Republic will be hosting the second Summit in Paris on 10 March.
Across the world, some 60 countries are now considering introducing nuclear energy.
In a major step for nuclear in Asia and the Pacific, Masato Kanda, president of the Asian Development Bank and I signed a new Memorandum of Understanding in November towards helping countries in the region access the financing and expertise they need to meet rising energy demand with nuclear power. This agreement builds on the momentum generated by our recent partnerships with the World Bank Group, the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF) and the OPEC Fund, and forms part of a broader effort to strengthen cooperation with international financial institutions.
Many newcomer countries work with the IAEA as they lay the groundwork for a programme underpinning strong safety, security and safeguards. For example, in early December, we completed an Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) Phase 2 mission to Viet Nam, while El Salvador will host its first INIR Phase 1 mission in mid-May 2026.
With many countries actively developing fast reactor technologies, including innovative reactor designs and advanced small modular reactors, and others keen to adopt the technology, knowledge sharing is key. To that end, the International Conference on Fast Reactors and Related Fuel Cycles will take place in Beijing in May.
On this topic, the Regulatory Track of the IAEA’s Nuclear Harmonization and Standardization Initiative (NHSI) is advancing regulatory cooperation tools and multinational review approaches. The multinational pre-licensing pilot, EAGLES 300, was launched in November and is progressing with regulators from Belgium and Romania, and with Italy participating as observer.
Many in the commercial maritime industry see small modular reactors as a cost-effective low-carbon future option by which to power their fleet. As the technology is maturing, so is the thinking on how to ensure nuclear safety, security and safeguards in this application. It is with this in mind that we are launching the IAEA’s Atomic Technologies Licensed for Applications at Sea (ATLAS) project this August at a global ministerial-level event hosted by the United States of America.
In the past months, the IAEA has been informing the growing global conversation around the benefits of nuclear energy as a stabilizing low-carbon backbone, supporting energy security, burgeoning industries, growing economies and energy grids in their transition towards decarbonization. At COP30, where the Agency participated in more than 20 nuclear-related events, the number of countries supporting the global pledge to triple nuclear power capacity rose to 33. Under the G20’s South African Presidency, the IAEA contributed to the very first G20 Nuclear Energy Ministerial and issued two major publications supporting clean energy transitions.
The IAEA’s Nuclear Technology Review 2026 highlights how nuclear technologies continue to address Member State priorities in health, agriculture, environmental protection and industry.
In human health, the Rays of Hope initiative now includes 18 Anchor Centres, including seven designated in 2025. Five centres serve as nutrition champions, and development of the SUNRISE global database is underway. Endorsed curricula for paediatric radiotherapy professionals have been completed in collaboration with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, forming the basis of a global training programme. Coordinated Research Projects are advancing artificial intelligence in radiotherapy and nutrition for cancer patients. In December, in the presence of Her Majesty Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, I signed an agreement with the Princess Máxima Center for Paediatric Oncology to expand access to safe, effective childhood cancer care worldwide and help close the gaps that still exist. Also in December 2025, the IAEA received a linear accelerator donated by Varian under Rays of Hope to be installed at the Black Lion Hospital in Ethiopia.
Given the central importance of our work supporting Member States in providing cancer care amid the unrelenting global cancer crisis, “Rays of Hope - Delivering on the Promise of Cancer Care” will be the theme of this year’s Scientific Forum, to be held on the sideline of the 70th regular session of the IAEA General Conference.
Under ZODIAC, we are supporting outbreak responses in Africa and Asia through active research projects on Rift Valley Fever and poxviruses. Work is advancing on irradiated vaccines and new techniques, including stable isotope analysis to strengthen pathogen surveillance. Last week global experts met in Vienna, exchanging experiences and deepening collaboration during ZODIAC Week.
Some 39 Member States now participate in the joint IAEA/FAO Atoms4Food initiative. Assessment missions in 2025 led to national action plans, while research identified 182 resistant banana varieties to combat Fusarium wilt. A new Thematic Plan for Fruit Fly Management has been published, and partnerships continue to expand, both with the FAO and the private sector.
NUTEC Plastics supports 102 countries in microplastic monitoring and 53 in recycling technologies, with radiation-based upcycling advancing to industrial-scale prototyping in five countries. The first High Level Forum on NUTEC Plastics, hosted in Manila last November, showed that nuclear techniques are already bringing real solutions for people and helping to address plastic pollution.
GloWAL has completed its baseline survey of 140 laboratories and launched a global technical platform. The Marine Environment Laboratories continue building regional monitoring capacity.
The Seibersdorf laboratories remain a cornerstone of global services, providing training, support and research across nuclear applications from better crop varieties to pest control and livestock health. Another key part of their work is preventing the number 1 reason for radiation overdose – errors in the use of radiation medicine and equipment. In 2025, our laboratories performed approximately 840 dosimeter calibrations and 930 dosimetry audits. The Agency is also co-sponsoring the first postgraduate academic course in Radiation Metrology, the science of measuring and quantifying ionizing radiation to ensure safety, accuracy, and efficiency in medicine, industry, and environmental monitoring, at International Centre for Theoretical Physics in Trieste.
Mr Chairperson,
The Technical Cooperation Programme achieved an implementation rate of 86.5% in 2025, with a Rate of Attainment of 99.6% for contributions to the Technical Cooperation Fund. Extrabudgetary funding of €25.7 million supported major initiatives and unfunded programme components.
The programme delivered assistance across all regions in health, agriculture, energy planning, environmental monitoring, nuclear infrastructure development and emergency response. Support included radiotherapy expansion in Africa, environmental monitoring capacity in Europe and Asia, and nuclear infrastructure development in newcomer countries. The programme is key to delivering the IAEA’s major initiatives that I have already mentioned, including, for example, the work we are conducting with the OPEC Fund to support the establishment of the country’s first radiotherapy centre in a public hospital.The TC Programme also provides emergency assistance following natural disasters, such as earthquakes, hurricanes and tropical storms. This included supporting the restoration of medical services in Cuba, Honduras, Jamaica and Myanmar.
We have started the implementation of the 2026 – 2027 programme cycle. For projects to start on time and achieve their objectives it is important for national participation costs be paid promptly.
Mr Chairperson,
As I said this morning, the Agency immediately responded to the most recent events unfolding in Iran and the wider Middle East region by focussing, in accordance with our mandate, on possible radiological emergencies derived from the military operations. The IAEA’s Incident and Emergency Centre (IEC) is in operation and the regional safety monitoring network has been put on alert and is liaising with us continuously. So far, no elevation of radiation levels above the usual background levels has been detected in countries bordering Iran and we have no indication that nuclear facilities have been hit, either in Iran, or in other States of the region.
Efforts to contact the Iranian nuclear regulatory authorities through the IEC continue, with no response so far. Let me reiterate that we hope this indispensable channel of communication can be reestablished as soon as possible.
As you know, I was closely involved in the efforts to find a diplomatic solution to the impasse over Iran’s nuclear program before these most recent military attacks began. On 16 February I held in-depth technical discussions with Iran’s Foreign Minister Araghchi in Geneva in preparation for negotiations the following day. I then attended the indirect negotiations between the United States of America and Iran, at which I provided options and advice and on issues relevant to the verification of Iran’s nuclear programme.
I believe we share a deep sense of frustration that a diplomatic path was not found at that time.
Let me again recall past General Conference resolutions that state that armed attacks on nuclear facilities should never take place as they could result in radioactive releases with grave consequences within and beyond the boundaries of the State in which such facilities have been attacked.
Consistent with the objectives of the IAEA’s Statute, I call on all parties to exercise maximum restraint to avoid further escalation.
Over the past days several countries in the region have been attacked, all of them use nuclear applications in one way or the other, including in nuclear power plants and in nuclear research reactors. We cannot rule out the risk of a radiological consequence, even one that could require evacuations of large areas. I have been in close communication with the Member States in the region, and we are on high alert, ready to respond immediately if an attack or an accident were to impact nuclear safety.
We must return to diplomacy and negotiations. It is the only way to achieve the long-term assurance that Iran will not acquire nuclear weapons. It is crucial if we are to maintain the continued effectiveness of the global nuclear non-proliferation regime.
As requested by the Board in its resolution GOV/2025/71 adopted on 20 November last year, I have submitted to the Board a report on the implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement and relevant provisions of United Nations Security Council resolutions in the Islamic Republic of Iran.
As stated in the report, Iran continued to facilitate Agency access to facilities in Iran unaffected by the June 2025 attacks. However, Iran provided neither reports nor access to the Agency, as required under its NPT Safeguards Agreement, to the affected facilities and associated nuclear material. Moreover, Iran did not provide access to the Agency to verify the suspension of all enrichment, reprocessing and heavy water related activities as required by the relevant Security Council and Board resolutions.
We have now not had access to Iran’s previously declared inventories of LEU and HEU for more than 8 months, making their verification – according to standard safeguards practice – long overdue.
Consequently, the Agency cannot provide assurances in relation to the non-diversion of declared nuclear material from peaceful activities at affected facilities.
Mr Chairperson,
In terms of the legal framework on which the continued peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology rest, the number of States with safeguards agreements in force remains 191, and 144 of these States have additional protocols in force. I look forward to the remaining three States Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons without comprehensive safeguards agreements bringing such agreements into force without delay. I also encourage States that have not yet concluded additional protocols to do so as soon as possible. I reiterate my repeated calls for the remaining 11 States with SQPs based on the original standard text to amend or rescind them as soon as possible. I am pleased to say that since the last Board meeting in November Kyrgyzstan has amended its original SQP.
In the coming months I will address the Eleventh NPT Review Conference, which is taking in April and May in New York.
The IAEA remains the crucial vehicle delivering the benefits of the NPT.
The peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology are saving millions of lives and livelihoods. The IAEA’s flagship initiatives are in high demand, and our safeguards teams are inspecting more facilities and more material than ever before.
But we are at a delicate moment when it comes to non-proliferation.
Traditional concerns about the slow pace of disarmament remain. But now there are also new voices and emerging trends.
In some countries that until today remain in good standing with their non-proliferation obligations open discussions are taking place about the pursuit of nuclear weapons.
These are adding to the strain brought on by the current military activity and the unresolved questions around Iran’s nuclear programme and the stark reality of what happens when red lines are crossed, as is the case in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
At a time of heightened global uncertainty and mounting challenges to international security, reaffirming and recommitting to the fundamental principles enshrined in this key legally binding instrument is more essential than ever.
Mr Chairperson,
The IAEA continues to monitor the nuclear programme of the DPRK.
The Agency has observed that the 5MW(e) reactor at Yongbyon likely continues to operate in its seventh irradiation cycle. Operation of the Radiochemical Laboratory was observed between January and September 2025, when irradiated fuel from the sixth cycle of the 5MW(e) reactor was likely reprocessed.
The ongoing operation of enrichment facilities at Kangson and Yongbyon is of serious concern. In addition, the Agency is continuing to monitor a new building at Yongbyon which has dimensions and infrastructure, including power supply and cooling capacity, similar to the Kangson enrichment facility. The new building is externally complete and internal fitting is likely underway.
There are indications that the light water reactor (LWR) at Yongbyon continues to operate after a period of shutdown between August and November 2025.
There were no indications of significant changes at the Nuclear Test Site at Punggye-ri, which remains prepared to support a nuclear test.
The continuation and further development of the DPRK’s nuclear programme are clear violations of relevant UN Security Council resolutions and are deeply regrettable. The Agency continues to maintain its enhanced readiness to play its essential role in verifying the DPRK’s nuclear programme.
As you may recall, in the Syrian Arab Republic, following my June 2025 meeting with him, President Ahmed Al-Sharaa agreed to cooperate with full transparency to clarify, resolve and close the outstanding safeguards issues relating to Syria’s past nuclear activities.
As soon as conditions allow, we plan to visit Dair Alzour to conduct further analysis and access relevant documentation in order to achieve clarity regarding past nuclear activities in Syria, allowing unresolved safeguards finally to be brought to a close.
Mr Chairperson,
A skilled workforce is crucial to fulfilling nuclear’s potential. As more countries look to nuclear science and technology to fight hunger, disease, energy poverty, pollution and climate change, we need to make sure there are enough people with the right abilities to make it happen. Therefore, it is hearting to see the high and rising number of women applying to the IAEA’s Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship programme - this year we have more than 800 candidates. Since its launch, the Programme has supported 860 women from 135 Member States, studying across 79 countries. These women are going on to career-defining internships and important work that benefits many people. The in-kind support we receive through the partnerships we have nurtured reflects the importance of the programme and has created many opportunities. But it is not enough to sustain it. We need more financial support if this programme is to continue. I urge Member States able to offer their support, to do so.
Since its inception, the Lise Meitner Programme has supported 80 women from 38 countries across six visits hosted by States including Argentina, Canada, Japan, the Republic of Korea and the United States of America. Last month, the latest cohort visited the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) and gained hands-on experience in nuclear science and technology research, including in medicine production.
Mr Chairperson,
The Agency’s Draft Budget Update for 2027, which adheres to zero nominal growth, was presented to Member States last month. The Agency will continue to build on the efficiency measures implemented in previous years and strive to identify new savings to bridge the inflation gap and continue improving the way the Agency operates. We will seek to obtain extrabudgetary contributions, as appropriate, to meet the increasing demand for our services.
Outstanding arrears remain high and continue to complicate the Agency’s cash?flow management. I thank those Member States that have already paid their outstanding regular budget contributions, and I urge those still in arrears to settle their overdue payments promptly.
The IAEA is a unique and indispensable organisation. We are strengthening nuclear safety and security in complex conditions while supporting Member States in key areas – food, water and energy security; healthcare; environmental protection and economic development. We are all part of this work, and we all know how important it is.
I thank you for your continued support. I assure you that the Agency will keep doing everything to fulfil our mandate of Atoms for Peace and Development and that I will continue to use my good offices to support diplomatic solutions to impasses. Diplomacy is rarely easy, but it is the only path to peace.