(Statement marking the event)
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I very much welcome the adoption of the new Sustainable Development Goals. And I am especially pleased that explicit recognition has now been given to the importance of science and technology for development.
The IAEA has been contributing effectively to sustainable development for nearly 60 years. We make peaceful nuclear technology available to our Member States in areas such as energy, human health, food production, water management and environmental protection.
All of these areas, and many more, are dealt with in the Sustainable Development Goals. The IAEA has so much to offer that I often summarise our work as Atoms for Peace and Development.
The IAEA technical cooperation programme is the main vehicle through which we transfer nuclear technology to developing countries.
For example, we enable farmers to grow more abundant crops of rice and barley. We help countries to monitor and respond to marine pollution that threatens the livelihood of fishermen. And we assist countries in providing life-saving access to radiotherapy for cancer patients.
All of these involve nuclear technology.
This is an extremely important part of our work. Its impact in the daily lives of millions of people around the world is extraordinary and deserves to be better known.
The IAEA delivers. We are much more than just the world’s nuclear watchdog.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In addition to our ongoing technical cooperation projects, we have demonstrated our ability to respond quickly to crises in Member States.
Since the dreadful earthquake in Nepal in April, the Agency has been helping the authorities to test the structural safety of critical buildings such as hospitals and schools, using non-destructive testing techniques, including radiography.
Following the outbreak of Ebola in West Africa, we provided diagnostic kits, using nuclear-derived techniques, for the rapid identification of the virus.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Sustainable Development Goal 7 calls for access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.
Many countries believe nuclear power can help them to achieve this goal. Nuclear power can provide the steady supply of baseload electricity needed to power a modern economy. It is also one of the lowest emitters of carbon dioxide, when emissions through the entire life cycle are considered.
The IAEA helps countries that opt for nuclear power to build the expertise to use it safely, securely and sustainably.
Access to nuclear power is no longer limited to developed economies. Of more than 30 countries which are preparing, or considering, nuclear power programmes, no fewer than 25 are developing nations.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The IAEA’s 165 Member States determine their own development goals and decide in which areas they would like our assistance.
Our approach is focused on capacity-building and empowerment. We help countries to master peaceful nuclear techniques and use them effectively for their own benefit, and that of other countries.
There are many examples of successful South-South cooperation. To name but two: Malaysia has helped Sudan with non-destructive testing, and Viet Nam has transferred radiotracer technology, which is used in the petrochemical and mining industries, to Angola.
Member States also benefit from access to our unique set of nuclear applications laboratories near Vienna. These offer training to scientists, support research in human health, food and other areas, and provide analytical services to national laboratories. A comprehensive modernisation of the laboratories is now underway.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Nuclear technology has a great deal to offer in all areas of development.
The IAEA will play an active part in helping with the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by enhancing the contribution of peaceful nuclear technologies. I look forward to working with all of you on this.
Thank you.