High-level government representatives will discuss the benefits of nuclear science and technology for development at an event organized by the IAEA on the margins of the 2015 Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non‑Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) on 27 April 2015 in New York. The event –- entitled 'How the Atom Benefits Life' -– is open to all States Parties and registered non-governmental organization and media. The event will take place at the Trusteeship Council Chamber at the United Nations Headquarters beginning at 13:15.
IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano will open the event and review the IAEA’s main achievements since the 2010 NPT Review Conference, with particular attention on the work of the IAEA and the benefits this has brought to its Member States. The event will also focus on the IAEA’s contribution to the Post-2015 Development Agenda, and encourage support to the IAEA’s activities through various avenues including Peaceful Uses Initiative (PUI) contributions.
Nuclear science and technology can help find solutions to many of the problems people face every day across the globe. When used safely and securely, nuclear science and technology are effective supplements or provide alternatives to conventional approaches, which makes them an important part of the international community’s work for development. In its contribution to global objectives, the IAEA serves the international goals of peace, health and prosperity by assisting countries to adopt nuclear tools for a wide range of peaceful applications.
“Science and technology are critical for development,” Mr Amano has said. “They need to be recognized as an important enabler of the Post-2015 Development Agenda. Nuclear science and technology, in particular, have an enormous contribution to make. The IAEA plays a unique role in making nuclear science and technology available to improve the lives of people everywhere.”
Other IAEA events organized at United Nations headquarters during the NPT Review Conference include:
- an event on nuclear security on Wednesday, 29 April 2015, from 13:30 to 14:30 in Room CR-D;
- an event on nuclear safety on Friday, 1 May 2015, from 13:30 to 14:30 in Room CR-D; and
- an event on safeguards on Friday, 8 May 2015, from 13.30 to 14:30 in the ECOSOC Chamber.
The IAEA will also be holding an exhibition throughout the duration of the Review Conference that will highlight the IAEA’s activities relevant to the implementation of the NPT.