Category: IAEA

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said today that he is discussing detailed proposals with the Russian Federation and Ukraine on how to restore off-site power to the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), which has relied on emergency back-up electricity for the past ten days.

“Both sides say they stand ready to conduct the necessary repairs on their respective sides of the frontline. But for this to happen, the security situation on the ground must improve so that the technicians can carry out their vital work without endangering their lives. I’m in continuous contact with senior Russian and Ukrainian officials to achieve this important objective as soon as possible,” Director General Grossi said.

“For now, the site’s emergency diesel generators are functioning without problems, and there is also plenty of fuel in reserve. However, this is an unprecedented situation that must be resolved without further delay. It is a nuclear safety issue and it is in everybody’s interest to fix it,” he said.

Until a few months ago, two off-site power lines were still available to supply the electricity that the ZNPP requires to cool its six shutdown reactors and its spent fuel. However, it lost one of them – a 330 kilovolt (kV) line – in early May due to damage sustained on the Ukrainian side of the frontline. On 23 September, the sole remaining 750 kV line was disconnected as a result of damage on the other side of the frontline.

The resulting loss of off-site power (LOOP) is by far the longest lasting of the ten such events that the ZNPP has suffered during more than three and a half years of military conflict.

As the ZNPP’s reactors have been shut down since 2022, the nuclear safety risks are not as great or urgent as they would be for an operating nuclear power plant. However, if the emergency diesel generators (EDGs) stopped functioning for any reason, it could lead to a complete blackout and possibly causing an accident with the fuel melting and a potential radiation release into the environment, if power could not be restored in time. The site also has mobile diesel generators available in case the EDGs are not able to supply the necessary power.

“For nuclear safety, this is still a very serious situation. I’m calling on both sides to do what is necessary to prevent a further deterioration. It is a question of political will, not whether it is technically possible, which it is,” Director General Grossi said.

As of this morning, eight EDGs were operating at the plant, generating a total power output of 20-22 megawatts, sufficient to cover its nuclear safety needs. Another 12 EDGs were available and on standby. Two of the EDGs that were under planned maintenance prior to the power loss  were put back into service yesterday. The plant rotates the operating EDGs and carries out technical servicing, as needed.

The EDGs each have their own fuel tanks, which the ZNPP says can provide fuel for at least 10 days of operation, in the current operating configuration. Additional fuel supplies are delivered daily to the on-site EDG fuel tanks from the off-site diesel fuel storage facility, which houses three large tanks. 

The IAEA team at the site is receiving frequent updates of all important nuclear safety parameters, showing that the EDGs are continuing to reliably provide the power needed for cooling as there has been no increase in the coolant temperatures of both the reactor cores and spent fuel pools.

The IAEA team conducted a walkdown yesterday to monitor the operating EDGs while also observing that a diesel fuel truck was on-site, bringing fuel from the outside storage facility – also known as the diesel fuel farm. The ZNPP informed the IAEA team that the most recent delivery of diesel fuel to the outside storage facility occurred on Wednesday and that another delivery was expected today.

The team has also conducted radiation monitoring, showing no increase in radiation levels.

The ZNPP has informed the IAEA team that planned maintenance activities on one pair of backup power transformers was stopped after the LOOP, and the transformers were returned to standby mode.

Challenges related to off-site power were also in evidence at the Chornobyl site this week, where its New Safe Confinement (NSC) facility experienced a loss of power on Wednesday evening. The IAEA team based at the site was informed that the Slavutych 330 kV switchyard located around 40km away was damaged because of military activity in the area, causing the disconnection of this power line at 4:10pm local time.

Off-site power to the NSC – a large structure built to prevent any radioactive release from the reactor destroyed in 1986 and to protect it from any external hazard – was only restored some 16 hours later. During this time, the facility – which was severely damaged by a drone in February – had no access to back-up EDG electricity for some three hours on Wednesday evening, resulting in a partial blackout to the NSC. 

The IAEA team was informed that radiation monitoring and ventilation of the NSC remained operational throughout the blackout, via an interconnection to the systems of reactor units 3 and 4, which remained connected to the main electrical grid.  The team was also informed that radiation levels remained normal during the entire event, which was confirmed by the IAEA’s own measurements. 

All other nuclear facilities at the Chornobyl site continued to receive off-site power from other power lines without interruption. However, the plant reported fluctuations in off-site power affecting the other facilities at the site during the event and continues to assess the situation.

The Slavutych 330 kV power line remains disconnected, and the town with the same name – where most plant staff live – has no electricity, relying instead on diesel generators. 

The IAEA team at the Chornobyl site was also informed that temporary repairs on the outside of the NSC arch are expected to be completed today following the February attack, meaning it will be fully covered from the outside.

In the 158th delivery of equipment to Ukraine since the start of the armed conflict, the South Ukraine NPP has received two mobile portal monitors aimed at enhancing nuclear security measures at the site. The equipment was funded with contributions made by Norway.

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is engaging with both sides of the military conflict to help pave the way for the restoration of offsite power to Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) as soon as possible, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said today.

The Director General has in recent days met with leaders and senior officials from the Russian Federation and Ukraine to discuss the nuclear safety and security situation at the ZNPP, which on 23 September suffered its tenth complete loss of offsite power (LOOP) during the conflict.

“Europe’s largest nuclear power plant has been without external power for more than a week now, which is by far the longest lasting such event during more than three and a half years of war. I’m in constant contact with the two sides with the aim to enable the plant’s swift re-connection to the electricity grid,” Director General Grossi said.

“While the plant is currently coping thanks to its emergency diesel generators – the last line of defence – and there is no immediate danger as long as they keep working, it is clearly not a sustainable situation in terms of nuclear safety. Neither side would benefit from a nuclear accident,” he said. 

According to the ZNPP, the latest offsite power cut occurred at 4:56pm on Tuesday last week when its sole remaining power line was damaged by military activity approximately 1.5 km from the plant, after which emergency diesel generators (EDGs) automatically started operating to supply the power needed for the site’s safety systems and to cool its six reactors and the spent fuel.

The ZNPP is currently operating eight EDGs, with nine additional units in standby mode and three in maintenance. Over the past week, the plant has been alternating those operating in order to service some of the idle ones and to ensure continuous availability.

The ZNPP has stated that it has the personnel and spare parts needed to repair the damaged 750 kilovolt (kV) line but that it has so far been unable to do so due to military activity in the area. 

For its part, Ukraine has said it is ready to repair a back-up 330 kV power line that has been disconnected since early May, but that the military situation has so far not allowed this either. 

As the ZNPP’s reactors have been shut down for over three years now – resulting in the cooling of the nuclear fuel and also reducing the amount of radioactive materials in the fuel – the nuclear safety situation is not as dangerous as it would have been had the plant still been generating electricity. Still, in case of a complete blackout with no off-site power and no EDGs operating, the nuclear fuel could melt if power could not be restored in time. For this reason, the ZNPP also has mobile diesel generators available.

“The current status of the reactor units and spent fuel is stable as long as the emergency diesel generators are able to provide sufficient power to maintain essential safety related functions and cooling,” Director General Grossi said.

“Nevertheless, it is extremely important that offsite power is restored. I strongly encourage both sides to work with us and enable these essential repairs to take place. As I have repeatedly stated, a nuclear accident is in no one’s interest and all efforts must be made to prevent that from occurring,” he said.

The IAEA team at the ZNPP is continuing to monitor the situation closely, receiving more frequent nuclear safety updates from the plant, including cooling water temperatures.

“Based on the plant’s information, we can conclude that the emergency diesel generators have been able to reliably provide the power needed for cooling the nuclear fuel in the reactor cores and spent fuel pools,” Director General Grossi said. 

The ZNPP informed the IAEA team that the site still has fuel reserves for more than 10 days of operation, with regular offsite supplies maintaining this level. 

In recent days, the IAEA team members at the site were able to observe the operating EDGs and to confirm that the sprinkler ponds that provide cooling water for the reactor units and spent fuel remain full.

The ZNPP’s radiation monitoring as well as the IAEA team’s own measurements have continued to show that there has been no increase above normal levels over the past week, both on and outside the site.

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

Nuclear material and nuclear technology are used every day around the world for peaceful purposes such as the production of electricity, adapting to and mitigating climate change, fighting cancer, and more.

And the IAEA’s safeguards activities verifies that countries are honouring their international obligations to use nuclear material and technology only for peaceful purposes.

But how does the IAEA implement safeguards, and what happens during an IAEA safeguards inspection? Watch the film below to find out more.

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) signed a $600 000 partnership on Wednesday with the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) to support technical cooperation projects, including to strengthen radiation medicine services in Syria. 

The agreement, signed by Mr Fahad Hamad Al-Sulaiti, Director General of QFFD and IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, and in the presence of Her Excellency Dr Maryam bin Ali bin Nasser Al-Misnad, Minister of State for International Cooperation and Vice-Chairperson of the Board of Directors of QFFD, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, will contribute towards advanced nuclear medicine diagnostic imaging services at the Al-Biruni Hospital in Damascus. The support is expected to benefit more than 3000 patients every year.

“At Qatar Fund for Development, we deeply value the IAEA’s efforts to advance the peaceful applications of nuclear technology,” Mr Al-Sulaiti said. “The introduction of nuclear medicine capacity in a public hospital in Damascus represents more than a medical achievement — it embodies our mission to strengthen health systems as a foundation for restoring well-being and dignity. By investing in advanced diagnostic tools, we aim to support the Syrian people in their journey toward recovery, resilience and a healthier future.”

“We thank Qatar for this generous contribution to improve cancer care in the region,” said the IAEA Director General during the signing ceremony. “Early diagnosis saves lives, and we welcome this donation from Qatar to support the establishment of comprehensive cancer services in Syria.”

Over a decade of armed conflict have devastated Syria’s medical infrastructure, taking a heavy toll on services to tackle long-term diseases like cancer. Cancer incidence has continued to rise in the country, however, with limited services available to tackle the growing burden. 

Breast cancer, for example, is the most common cancer among women in Syria, making up around one-third of cases and a mortality rate of 20%. Nuclear and radiation-based techniques, such as PET-CT, are key in the early detection and treatment of tumours, greatly increasing the chances of patient survival. 

Earlier this year, IAEA Director General Grossi visited Syria and met President Al-Sharaa, where, among others, he discussed a comprehensive programme to support the country with medical equipment and training under Rays of Hope. This IAEA initiative seeks to bridge gaps in access to nuclear and radiation medicine worldwide. 

“Prior to the conflict, we had made notable progress in cancer care, but services have been severely impacted, forcing many Syrians to seek treatment abroad,” said Dr Mudar Al-Okla, Director General of the Syrian Atomic Energy Commission. “As our country works to rebuild national healthcare, revitalizing radiation medicine services is a priority.” 

This is the first agreement signed between the IAEA and QFFD – a government entity responsible for the State of Qatar’s international development and foreign aid.

Since 2022, the IAEA Rays of Hope initiative has been supporting low- and middle-income countries in strengthening cancer services. To date, over 90 countries have requested support and more than €90 million have been mobilized by donors and partners of the initiative. 

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

A drone was downed and detonated approximately 800 metres from the perimeter of Ukraine’s South Ukraine Nuclear Power Plant overnight, in the latest close call underlining constant dangers to nuclear safety during the military conflict, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said after receiving information about the incident from the IAEA team at the site.

The team was informed by the plant that 22 unmanned aerial vehicles were observed late last night and early this morning within its monitoring zone, some coming as close as half a kilometre from the site. South Ukraine is one of the country’s three operational nuclear power plants (NPPs), its three reactors currently generating electricity at full capacity. 

From their accommodation near the plant, IAEA team members heard gunfire and explosions around 01:00 am local time and today they visited the location where one of the drones had come down, observing a crater measuring four square metres at the surface and with a depth of around one metre.

Nearby metal structures had been hit by shrapnel and the windows of vehicles close to the impact area were shattered, the team reported. A 150 kilovolt (kV) regional power line was also damaged, the plant said, though it was not connected to the NPP and there was no direct impact on nuclear safety and security. There were also no reports of casualties.

“Once again drones are flying far too close to nuclear power plants, putting nuclear safety at risk. Fortunately, last night’s incident did not result in any damage to the South Ukraine Nuclear Power Plant itself. Next time we may not be so lucky. I continue to urge both sides to show maximum military restraint around all important nuclear facilities,” Director General Grossi said.

Occurring only some 30 hours after Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) suffered its tenth complete loss of offsite power (LOOP) during the conflict, the latest drone incident made it clear that the nuclear safety and security situation remains extremely fragile while the conflict continues.

“For more than three and a half years, the IAEA has been doing everything in its power to help prevent a nuclear accident during this devastating war. We will only be able to say that our mission was successful if the war ends without a serious nuclear accident. Our indispensable work is far from finished,” Director General Grossi said.  

The ZNPP has now been without external power for more than 48 hours, making it the longest of the plant’s ten complete LOOP events. It is currently relying on emergency diesel generators for the electricity it needs to cool its six shutdown reactors and other essential nuclear safety and security functions.

For more than four months, the ZNPP had been dependent on a single power line for offsite power, compared with ten lines before the conflict. This sole remaining power line was damaged around 1.5 kilometers from the ZNPP due to military activities and disconnected at 4:56 pm on Tuesday, according to information from the plant. The IAEA team based at the ZNPP has not yet been able to visit the damaged line due to the military situation. 

The ZNPP also said it has the necessary spare parts and personnel to repair the line once the military situation permits. Ukraine has informed the Agency that it is also prepared to repair damages to a backup power line, when the military situation permits.

Immediately after Tuesday’s disconnection of the 750 kV line, the site’s 18 available emergency diesel generators started operating. As during previous such events, the ZNPP gradually reduced the number to only those needed to generate essential power for the site – currently seven – to help save diesel fuel. The ZNPP has previously informed the IAEA that it has fuel reserves for almost 20 days operation of its emergency diesel generators. The plant regularly receives supplies of diesel fuel to maintain its inventory.

Radiation monitoring stations positioned on as well as outside the ZNPP site showed that all radiation levels remained normal. In addition, the IAEA team today carried out independent monitoring within the site perimeter, which confirmed these results. 

The Agency has continued with equipment deliveries under the other components of its comprehensive programme of assistance to Ukraine. 

Recently, the Central Geophysical Observatory of the Hydrometeorological Centre and the hydrometeorological organizations of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine received equipment to enhance their analytical capacity, while the Khmelnytskyy NPP received thermal protective suits to strengthen its fire-fighting capabilities.

The Chornobyl site received office furniture to help ensure better working conditions for staff and the State Enterprise USIE Izotop – involved in the management of radioactive material intended for medical, industrial and other purposes – received vehicles for the transport of radioactive sources.

These deliveries – supported with funding from Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Republic of Korea and Sweden – brought the number of deliveries since the start of the armed conflict to 157, totalling approximately 20 million Euros worth of equipment and other supplies.

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and CAF – development bank of Latin America and the Caribbean – today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to further strengthen cooperation in the area of nuclear energy throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. The MoU was signed during the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York by IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi and CAF Executive President Sergio Díaz-Granados.

Both organizations recognize the strategic value of nuclear energy, and the new alliance will promote applications of nuclear technology for environmental protection, energy security and regional decarbonization.

The three-year MoU establishes a comprehensive framework for collaboration in strategic areas, also including water resource management, the strengthening of energy resilience, the promotion of a circular economy, efficient waste management and the development of food systems adapted to various climate conditions. 

“This strategic alliance with the IAEA marks a milestone in our mission to drive sustainable development and strengthen the energy security of Latin America and the Caribbean,” CAF Executive President Díaz-Granados said. “Nuclear energy represents a fundamental alternative to diversify our regional energy matrix and achieve the decarbonization goals we have set. Through this collaboration, we will strengthen technical and institutional capacities, develop robust regulatory frameworks, and promote the safe and peaceful use of nuclear technology for the comprehensive benefit of our member countries. This memorandum consolidates our vision of building a more prosperous, equitable and sustainable region.”

“We are pleased to sign this agreement with CAF to expand the use of the power of the atom in Latin America and the Caribbean,” IAEA Director General Grossi said. “Nuclear energy is an increasingly attractive option for countries seeking to introduce or expand their use of clean, reliable baseload electricity to support development goals.” 

Under the MoU, the IAEA will provide technical assistance to CAF to strengthen its knowledge base and specialized capacities in multiple aspects of nuclear technology, including comprehensive energy planning, development of critical infrastructure, technological innovation and safe management of radioactive waste. 

This MoU represents an important step forward in harnessing the transformative potential of nuclear technology to address the most pressing development challenges, while ensuring the highest international standards of nuclear safety in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

(As prepared for delivery)

Madam President,

Let me begin by expressing my regret that I cannot be present for this 73rd Regular Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

There have been important developments in many areas of the IAEA’s activities since I last had the honour of addressing the General Assembly. Many of these are covered by the IAEA Annual Report 2017, which has been distributed.

The Agency now implements safeguards in 181 countries, helping to ensure that nuclear materials are not diverted from peaceful purposes. This is an important, and unique, contribution to international peace and security.

We have continued to verify and monitor the implementation by Iran of its nuclear-related commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

Iran is implementing its nuclear-related commitments under the JCPOA. It is essential that Iran continues to fully implement those commitments.

The Agency continues to verify the non-diversion of nuclear material declared by Iran under its Safeguards Agreement. Evaluations regarding the absence of undeclared nuclear material and activities in Iran continue.

As far as the nuclear programme of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is concerned, the DPRK’s nuclear activities are clear violations of relevant UN Security Council resolutions and are deeply regrettable.

The Agency continues to enhance its readiness to play an essential role in verifying the DPRK’s nuclear programme if a political agreement is reached among countries concerned.

I again call upon the DPRK to comply fully with its obligations under relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council and of the IAEA Board of Governors, to cooperate promptly with the Agency and to resolve all outstanding issues.

Madam President,

Through our technical cooperation programme, the Agency helps to improve the health and prosperity of millions of people by making nuclear science and technology available in health care, food and agriculture, industry and many other areas.

I see the enormous difference our work makes in my many visits to developing countries.

Capacity-building is a core element of the TC programme.

The Agency has supported nearly 50,000 fellowships since 1956, helping scientists from developing countries to significantly improve their skills. In a recent survey of former fellows, almost 90% of respondents said their placements fully met their professional expectations and the needs of their home institutes.

The modernisation of our nuclear applications laboratories at Seibersdorf, near Vienna, continues to make excellent progress.

When the modernisation is completed, we will be able to deliver improved services to Member States to make food safer, improve control of harmful insect pests, and maximize the benefits of new radiation technology for cancer treatment – to name just a few examples.

Major construction work on all new laboratory buildings at Seibersdorf is nearly complete. I am very grateful for the generous contributions received so far. I encourage all Member States in a position to do so to contribute to the costs of equipping the new buildings.

Last month, we marked the 20th anniversary of the IAEA Environment Laboratories at their present location in Monaco with a celebration attended by His Serene Highness Prince Albert II.

The Environment Laboratories make nuclear and isotopic science available to help countries achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, not least SDG 14 on conservation of the oceans.

They monitor environmental radioactivity in the seas and oceans. They also help to address issues such as the impact of climate change, marine plastics, heavy metals and organic pollutants on our seas and oceans.

I was pleased to note, Madam President, that you included the problem of plastics pollution as one of seven priority themes for this session.

Helping countries to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, using relevant nuclear technology, is an important part of our work.

In fact, the IAEA helps countries to use nuclear science and technology to meet at least nine of the 17 SDGs directly, including those aimed at ending hunger, improving human health, increasing the availability of clean water, and, of course, energy.

The Agency continues to participate in the annual High-Level Political Forum on monitoring implementation of the SDGs. Member States encouraged our participation in a resolution at our General Conference in September.

We also actively support South-South cooperation in the field of peaceful nuclear technology. There are many excellent examples of such cooperation, such as the training of radiation oncologists and medical physicists to help improve access to effective cancer treatment in developing countries.

The IAEA Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Science and Technology will take place in Vienna from November 28 to 30. It will focus on the many ways in which nuclear science and technology help countries to address current and emerging development challenges. I encourage all Member States to participate at ministerial level.

Madam President,

The Agency’s latest annual projections show that nuclear power will continue to play a key role in the world’s low-carbon energy mix.

However, without significant progress on using the full potential of nuclear power, it will be difficult for the world to secure sufficient energy to achieve sustainable development and to mitigate climate change.

Regarding the IAEA Low Enriched Uranium Bank in Kazakhstan, I expect that the procurement process will be completed in 2018 and that the LEU will be delivered to the Storage Facility in 2019.

Madam President,

Due attention to safety and security is essential in all uses of nuclear and radiation technologies. Nuclear safety and security are national responsibilities, but the IAEA plays the central role in ensuring effective international cooperation.

We continue to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of Agency peer review and advisory services in nuclear safety and security so that they can better support Member States in the application of IAEA safety standards and security guidance.

We have begun preparations for the next IAEA International Conference on Nuclear Security, which will take place at ministerial level in Vienna in February 2020.

Madam President,

We continuously implement efficiency measures in order to make optimal use of the resources entrusted to us by Member States. But demand for Agency support is steadily increasing. It is essential that Member States make available the resources we need to provide the services they expect.

I am working hard to increase the proportion of women on the Agency’s staff, especially in more senior positions. My goal is to achieve gender parity among the most senior officials by 2021.

Finally, Madam President, I thank the staff of the Agency for their commitment and dedication to delivering on our important mandate.

I am grateful to all IAEA Member States for their active support for the Agency and for me personally and to Austria for being an exemplary host country.

Thank you.