Statement by Ambassador HIKIHARA Takeshi at the IAEA Board of Governors Meeting starting on Monday, 5 June 2023 Item 7: Nuclear Safety, Security and Safeguards in Ukraine
2023/6/7
Thank you, Chair,
Japan thanks the Director General and the Secretariat for preparing the report on this agenda item.
Japan remains deeply concerned about the nuclear safety and security situation at all nuclear facilities in Ukraine, in particular at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP). As the Director General reported, the situation continues to be particularly difficult and challenging, with the Seven Pillars being compromised at all times.
In this regard, Japan expresses its concern about the severe damage of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant and significant reduction in the level of reservoir for the cooling water system at the ZNPP, as stated by the Director General on June 6, which could create additional challenges to maintaining safety in and around the ZNPP. We take note that the IAEA assesses that there is no immediate risk to the safety of the ZNPP. We appreciate the Director General’s prompt response to this incident and fully support his trip to the ZNPP scheduled for next week.
We are currently witnessing an ongoing catastrophe at the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant. We express our full sympathy and solidarity with the Ukrainian people, especially those in the affected areas, for their loss and suffering. We also echo the statement of the UN Secretary-General yesterday that this is another devastating consequence of the Russian aggression against Ukraine.
Japan once again condemns in the strongest terms, Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, which constitutes a serious violation of international law, including the United Nations (UN) Charter. Russia must withdraw all forces and equipment from the entire internationally recognized territory of Ukraine including the ZNPP immediately and unconditionally.
Japan is also concerned about the repeated power supply disconnections, which underscores the vulnerability of the off-site power supply due to ongoing military activities at the site and in its vicinity, as well as the extremely difficult situation for the Ukrainian operating staff, which could also affect nuclear safety and security. Japan recognizes the strong need for an uninterrupted power supply to the ZNPP from the territory under the control of Ukraine, as well as the need for the safe rotation of the staff of the ZNPP. To this end, it is critical that the visit of ISAMZ to the Zaporizhzhya thermal power plant (ZTPP) is realized.
Japan supports the five principles set out by the Director General on May 30, as well as the IAEA’s intention to start monitoring these principles through ISAMZ. We look forward to the IAEA’s confirmed work to consolidate these principles in order to prevent a nuclear accident and to ensure the integrity of the ZNPP, in a manner that respects full Ukrainian sovereignty over its internationally recognised territory.
Japan once again expresses its grave concern that for more than one year the Russian Federation has not heeded the call of the Board expressed in the past three resolutions.
Japan reiterates its deep appreciation to Director General Grossi, the Agency staff at all nuclear sites in Ukraine, and all other staff who are making dedicated efforts to ensure the safe and secure operation of Ukraine’s nuclear facilities, as well as proper safeguards activities, during this very difficult situation. The IAEA’s presence at all of Ukraine’s nuclear sites is essential in acquiring impartial, first-hand observation about the situation of the nuclear facilities in Ukraine. All necessary access should be provided to IAEA missions. We also stress the importance of the safe and regular rotation of IAEA staff.
Japan also commends the IAEA for continuing to implement safeguards in Ukraine, including in-field verification activities, in accordance with Ukraine’s CSA (Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement) and AP (Additional Protocol). As the Director General reported, based on the evaluation of all safeguards-relevant information available to the IAEA to date, the IAEA has not found any indication that would give rise to a proliferation concern.
Japan firmly supports the IAEA’s efforts related to Ukraine’s nuclear facilities, including the continued presence of the IAEA Support and Assistance Missions and delivery of equipment. Japan has provided approximately 12 million euros in total towards the IAEA's work related to Ukraine.
We ask the Director General to regularly update the Board on the situation in Ukraine, so that Member States, including Japan, can continue to support the IAEA’s efforts relevant to Ukraine.
I thank you, Chair.
Japan thanks the Director General and the Secretariat for preparing the report on this agenda item.
Japan remains deeply concerned about the nuclear safety and security situation at all nuclear facilities in Ukraine, in particular at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP). As the Director General reported, the situation continues to be particularly difficult and challenging, with the Seven Pillars being compromised at all times.
In this regard, Japan expresses its concern about the severe damage of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant and significant reduction in the level of reservoir for the cooling water system at the ZNPP, as stated by the Director General on June 6, which could create additional challenges to maintaining safety in and around the ZNPP. We take note that the IAEA assesses that there is no immediate risk to the safety of the ZNPP. We appreciate the Director General’s prompt response to this incident and fully support his trip to the ZNPP scheduled for next week.
We are currently witnessing an ongoing catastrophe at the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant. We express our full sympathy and solidarity with the Ukrainian people, especially those in the affected areas, for their loss and suffering. We also echo the statement of the UN Secretary-General yesterday that this is another devastating consequence of the Russian aggression against Ukraine.
Japan once again condemns in the strongest terms, Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, which constitutes a serious violation of international law, including the United Nations (UN) Charter. Russia must withdraw all forces and equipment from the entire internationally recognized territory of Ukraine including the ZNPP immediately and unconditionally.
Japan is also concerned about the repeated power supply disconnections, which underscores the vulnerability of the off-site power supply due to ongoing military activities at the site and in its vicinity, as well as the extremely difficult situation for the Ukrainian operating staff, which could also affect nuclear safety and security. Japan recognizes the strong need for an uninterrupted power supply to the ZNPP from the territory under the control of Ukraine, as well as the need for the safe rotation of the staff of the ZNPP. To this end, it is critical that the visit of ISAMZ to the Zaporizhzhya thermal power plant (ZTPP) is realized.
Japan supports the five principles set out by the Director General on May 30, as well as the IAEA’s intention to start monitoring these principles through ISAMZ. We look forward to the IAEA’s confirmed work to consolidate these principles in order to prevent a nuclear accident and to ensure the integrity of the ZNPP, in a manner that respects full Ukrainian sovereignty over its internationally recognised territory.
Japan once again expresses its grave concern that for more than one year the Russian Federation has not heeded the call of the Board expressed in the past three resolutions.
Japan reiterates its deep appreciation to Director General Grossi, the Agency staff at all nuclear sites in Ukraine, and all other staff who are making dedicated efforts to ensure the safe and secure operation of Ukraine’s nuclear facilities, as well as proper safeguards activities, during this very difficult situation. The IAEA’s presence at all of Ukraine’s nuclear sites is essential in acquiring impartial, first-hand observation about the situation of the nuclear facilities in Ukraine. All necessary access should be provided to IAEA missions. We also stress the importance of the safe and regular rotation of IAEA staff.
Japan also commends the IAEA for continuing to implement safeguards in Ukraine, including in-field verification activities, in accordance with Ukraine’s CSA (Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement) and AP (Additional Protocol). As the Director General reported, based on the evaluation of all safeguards-relevant information available to the IAEA to date, the IAEA has not found any indication that would give rise to a proliferation concern.
Japan firmly supports the IAEA’s efforts related to Ukraine’s nuclear facilities, including the continued presence of the IAEA Support and Assistance Missions and delivery of equipment. Japan has provided approximately 12 million euros in total towards the IAEA's work related to Ukraine.
We ask the Director General to regularly update the Board on the situation in Ukraine, so that Member States, including Japan, can continue to support the IAEA’s efforts relevant to Ukraine.
I thank you, Chair.