IAEA Director Normal Briefs United Nations Security Council on Ukraine Nuclear Security

(As ready for supply)

I thank the President of the Security Council for permitting me the chance to replace you on the IAEA’s actions regarding nuclear security, safety and safeguards in Ukraine. I additionally thank the Council for his or her persevering with assist of the IAEA’s efforts.

It has been greater than two years for the reason that conflict started, the primary ever to be fought amid the amenities of a significant nuclear energy programme.

The IAEA has been monitoring the scenario carefully and aiding Ukraine day by day for the reason that begin of the conflict. IAEA employees are repeatedly current, monitoring the scenario in any respect 5 of Ukraine’s nuclear energy crops, together with at Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant, which stays below Russian operational management.

Today my assertion will deal with the latest grave violations of the 5 concrete ideas that I first established on this very chamber on 30 May. These 5 concrete ideas are there to forestall a nuclear accident and to take care of the integrity of the Zaporizhzhya NPP.  Let me remind them what they’re:  

1. There ought to be no assault of any sort from or in opposition to the plant, specifically concentrating on the reactors, spent gasoline storage, different important infrastructure, or personnel;
2. ZNPP shouldn’t be used as storage or a base for heavy weapons (i.e. a number of rocket launchers, artillery techniques and munitions, and tanks) or army personnel that may very well be used for an assault from the plant;
3. Off-site energy to the plant shouldn’t be put in danger. To that impact, all efforts ought to be made to make sure off-site energy stays out there and safe always;
4. All constructions, techniques and parts important to the secure and safe operation of ZNPP ought to be shielded from assaults or acts of sabotage;
5. No motion ought to be taken that undermines these ideas.

On 30 May final 12 months I stated right here that observing these ideas was important to keep away from the hazard of a catastrophic nuclear incident and that I had respectfully and solemnly requested each side to decide to them.

At our assembly final May distinguished Members of the Security Council and Ukraine clearly supported these ideas.

Nevertheless, Madame President, over the previous ten days, the primary of those ideas has been violated repeatedly in what marks a step-change enhance in danger to nuclear security and safety at Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant.

On Sunday, 7 April, the International Support and Assistance Mission to ZNPP (ISAMZ) confirmed the primary assaults since November 2022 to straight goal ZNPP.

The ISAMZ staff was capable of examine the placement of 1 direct strike on the apex of the containment dome of the Unit 6 reactor constructing.  Whilst the injury to the construction is superficial, the assault units a really harmful precedent of the profitable concentrating on of the reactor containment. 

The different two assaults have been in shut proximity to the principle reactor buildings and resulted in no less than one casualty.

Agency consultants on the website have been knowledgeable by ZNPP of a drone strike in opposition to the location’s oxygen and nitrogen manufacturing facility; two assaults on the coaching centre positioned simply outdoors the location perimeter and experiences of a drone shot down above the turbine corridor of Unit 6. 

These reckless assaults should stop instantly. Though, thankfully,  they haven’t led to a radiological incident this time, they considerably enhance the chance at Zaporizhzhya NPP, the place nuclear security is already compromised.

I’m not solely involved concerning the assaults themselves, but in addition the context during which they’ve occurred. For a number of months earlier than these direct assaults there had already been a rise in remoted drone incursions within the neighborhood of the ability and within the close by city of Energodar.

In different areas of nuclear security degradation, the plant is presently counting on simply two traces of exterior energy. There have been no less than 4 events prior to now 12 months when the plant has had just one line of exterior energy provide, with the precarity lasting for intervals of as much as 4 months.

Let me put it plainly. Two years of conflict are weighing closely on nuclear security at Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant. Every one of many IAEA’s 7 pillars of nuclear security and safety have been compromised.  We can not sit by and watch as the ultimate weight ideas the finely balanced scale.   

Even although the plant’s six reactors at the moment are in chilly shutdown, with the ultimate unit shifting into that standing two days in the past following the IAEA’s advice, the potential risks of a significant nuclear accident stay very actual.

The Agency will proceed carefully to observe the operational standing of the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant and supply technically viable alternate options in a context of speedy adjustments and challenges.

Our work at this facility stays important. This has been acknowledged by all, no matter their aspect on this battle. But to be efficient, the IAEA groups want well timed entry to evaluate the situation of the plant and consider the cumulative influence that greater than 26 months in a conflict zone have had on nuclear security.

Madame President,

We are getting dangerously near a nuclear accident. We should not permit complacency to let a roll of the cube determine what occurs tomorrow. We should do the whole lot in our energy at this time to reduce the chance of an accident.

The 5 ideas established on this very chamber one 12 months in the past should be adhered to. They are there to forestall a significant nuclear accident with probably vital radiological penalties.

The newest assaults characterize a flagrant violation of those essential ideas and should cease.

I’m asking this Council for its steadfast assist for the 5 ideas and the IAEA’s seven pillars of nuclear security and safety which they assist to underpin. And I’m asking on your continued assist of the IAEA’s position monitoring the scenario, within the service of the worldwide neighborhood.  

Despite big challenges, the IAEA has stored open the indispensable traces of communication and can proceed doing so. The assist of your nations and of the Council as an entire is a necessity.

I thank the Council for inviting me at this time, thereby demonstrating your persevering with dedication to this important problem.

The IAEA and myself stay at your disposal to help this physique in its mission to protect worldwide peace and safety.

Thank you, Madame President.