IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi. The head of the IAEA spoke about the agency’s activities: from inspections in Iran to support for Ukrainian nuclear power plants Economic Development
International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi addressed the IAEA Board of Governors in Vienna, providing an overview of the agency’s activities, from inspections in Iran and support for Ukrainian nuclear plants to global initiatives on health, food security and the climate agenda.
The situation in Iran
IAEA inspectors have returned to inspections at a number of Iranian nuclear facilities that were not damaged by the June Israeli and US strikes. However, according to Grossi, greater engagement with Tehran is required to restore a full inspection regime.
“I am convinced that the only solution [to the Iranian nuclear problem] remains diplomatic. It requires engagement and understanding of the situation on our part and full compliance with obligations on Iran’s part,” he stressed, referring to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement with Iran. country.
Support for Ukraine
The IAEA maintains a permanent presence at five Ukrainian nuclear power plants. Grossi called the current situation “extremely dangerous and fragile,” noting that the agency’s mediation allowed, after a month-long outage, the power lines supplying the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant to be restored. 20.5 million euros to ensure the safety and security of Ukrainian nuclear power plants.
Flagship Initiatives
Grossi also presented achievements in the field of technical cooperation between the IAEA and various organizations. We are talking about programs within which nuclear technologies are used. Thus, the initiative Atoms4Food helps countries strengthen food security.
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Climate and Future Energy
The IAEA is actively participating in the UN Climate Conference (COP 30) in Belém, Brazil, organizing more dozens of events in the pavilion Atoms4Climate. Soil and water protection, fusion energy, and blue carbon ecosystems were discussed.
“The days of debating whether or not nuclear energy is necessary are over. Now everyone agrees that nuclear energy is important,” Grossi said. The first IAEA Symposium on Artificial Intelligence and Nuclear Energy will be held in Vienna in December, bringing together governments, regulators and the private sector.