Statement by Ambassador KAIFU Atsushi at the IAEA Board of Governors Meeting starting on Monday, 4 March 2024 Item 7: Nuclear Safety, Security and Safeguards in Ukraine
2024/3/7
Thank you, Chair,
Japan thanks the Director General and the Secretariat for the report on this agenda item.
I would like to start by reiterating our deep appreciation to Director General Grossi, the Agency staff in Ukraine, and all other staff for their dedicated efforts pertaining to nuclear safety, security and safeguards during this very difficult situation. The IAEA’s presence on the ground at all of Ukraine’s nuclear sites is essential in acquiring impartial, objective, first-hand observations.
We also commend the Director General’s fourth visit to the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) as part of his efforts to help stabilize the situation and ensure that progress is made. We are also thankful for the Director General’s recent visit to the Russian Federation.
Japan remains deeply concerned about the nuclear safety and security situation in Ukraine, in particular at the ZNPP. As the Director General reported, the situation “at the ZNPP continues to be very precarious, with six out of the Seven Pillars compromised either fully or partially” and some of the five concrete “principles were put at risk”.
Japan also expresses concern regarding issues of total loss of off-site power, the availability of adequate staffing, absence of regular maintenance activities and reliable supply chain. The presence of anti-personnel mines, which is inconsistent with the IAEA safety standards and the use of weapons near the plant are matters of concern. These issues present risks to the nuclear safety and security at the site.
Unlimited and precise information as well as unrestricted and timely access should be provided to the IAEA Support and Assistance Mission to Zaporizhzhya (ISAMZ) in order not to adversely affect the Agency’s activities.
Chair,
Japan expresses its grave concern that the Russian Federation has not heeded the call of the Board of Governor’s past three resolutions as well as the GC resolution last September.
Japan once again condemns in the strongest terms, Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, which started two years ago and constitutes a serious violation of international law. Russia must immediately and unconditionally withdraw from the entire internationally recognized territory of Ukraine and the ZNPP should be immediately returned to the full control of the Ukrainian authorities.
Japan firmly supports the IAEA’s continued presence at all nuclear sites in Ukraine and its efforts to help decrease the risk of a nuclear accident. Japan also commends the IAEA for continuing to implement safeguards in Ukraine in accordance with Ukraine’s CSA (Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement) and AP (Additional Protocol). Japan has provided approximately 12 million euros in total towards the IAEA's work related to Ukraine and we are prepared to continue our support.
We ask the Director General to continue updating the Board regularly on the situation in Ukraine.
I thank you, Chair.
Japan thanks the Director General and the Secretariat for the report on this agenda item.
I would like to start by reiterating our deep appreciation to Director General Grossi, the Agency staff in Ukraine, and all other staff for their dedicated efforts pertaining to nuclear safety, security and safeguards during this very difficult situation. The IAEA’s presence on the ground at all of Ukraine’s nuclear sites is essential in acquiring impartial, objective, first-hand observations.
We also commend the Director General’s fourth visit to the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) as part of his efforts to help stabilize the situation and ensure that progress is made. We are also thankful for the Director General’s recent visit to the Russian Federation.
Japan remains deeply concerned about the nuclear safety and security situation in Ukraine, in particular at the ZNPP. As the Director General reported, the situation “at the ZNPP continues to be very precarious, with six out of the Seven Pillars compromised either fully or partially” and some of the five concrete “principles were put at risk”.
Japan also expresses concern regarding issues of total loss of off-site power, the availability of adequate staffing, absence of regular maintenance activities and reliable supply chain. The presence of anti-personnel mines, which is inconsistent with the IAEA safety standards and the use of weapons near the plant are matters of concern. These issues present risks to the nuclear safety and security at the site.
Unlimited and precise information as well as unrestricted and timely access should be provided to the IAEA Support and Assistance Mission to Zaporizhzhya (ISAMZ) in order not to adversely affect the Agency’s activities.
Chair,
Japan expresses its grave concern that the Russian Federation has not heeded the call of the Board of Governor’s past three resolutions as well as the GC resolution last September.
Japan once again condemns in the strongest terms, Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, which started two years ago and constitutes a serious violation of international law. Russia must immediately and unconditionally withdraw from the entire internationally recognized territory of Ukraine and the ZNPP should be immediately returned to the full control of the Ukrainian authorities.
Japan firmly supports the IAEA’s continued presence at all nuclear sites in Ukraine and its efforts to help decrease the risk of a nuclear accident. Japan also commends the IAEA for continuing to implement safeguards in Ukraine in accordance with Ukraine’s CSA (Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement) and AP (Additional Protocol). Japan has provided approximately 12 million euros in total towards the IAEA's work related to Ukraine and we are prepared to continue our support.
We ask the Director General to continue updating the Board regularly on the situation in Ukraine.
I thank you, Chair.