Statement by Ambassador KAIFU Atsushi at the IAEA Board of Governors Meeting Starting on Monday, 9 September 2024 Item 9: Nuclear Safety, Security and Safeguards in Ukraine

2024/9/11
Thank you, Chair,

Japan thanks the Director General and the Secretariat for the report and for the regular updates on this agenda item. We commend the Agency’s continued efforts to support nuclear safety and security in Ukraine, including the high-level talks and visits by the Director General.

Japan remains deeply concerned about the nuclear safety and security situation in Ukraine, as well as “the heightened vulnerability of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure”. The DG report states that “the situation at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) continues to be precarious, with all Seven Pillars being compromised fully or partially” and “even with all six reactors in cold shutdown, plant safety and security remain extremely fragile”. The DG report also says that military activities including explosions, drone attacks, gunfire, and fire as well as the presence of military equipment and anti-personnel mines, continue to put some of the five concrete principles at great risk. Further, in the DG report we find numerous continued challenges, that present potential risks to nuclear safety and security.

Japan firmly supports the Seven Pillars and the five concrete principles as well as the Agency’s role in monitoring the situation and conducting an independent, impartial and objective assessment. The Agency’s ability should not be limited, and timely and appropriate access as well as open and regular information sharing should be provided to the IAEA Support and Assistance Mission to Zaporizhzhia (ISAMZ).

Chair,

Japan expresses its grave concern that the Russian Federation has not heeded the call by the General Conference and the Board of Governors in its past resolutions. Russia must immediately and unconditionally withdraw from the entire internationally recognised territory of Ukraine, including Ukraine’s ZNPP, and the ZNPP should be immediately returned to the full control of the Ukrainian authorities.

Japan deeply appreciates the Director General and the Agency 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. Japan commends the Agency for continuing to implement safeguards in Ukraine in accordance with Ukraine’s CSA (Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement) and AP (Additional Protocol).

Japan continues to support the IAEA’s work related to Ukraine.

We ask the Director General to continue updating the Board regularly on the situation in Ukraine.

I thank you, Chair.