Dear friends and colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Let me begin by wishing you all a very happy new year.
Last year was an exceptionally challenging one for the Agency. We can take pride in important achievements in all areas of our activities.
As a result of the determined work of many actors, the Iran nuclear issue has been placed on a new track. The IAEA played a key role in helping Iran and the E3/EU+3 to achieve the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
Implementation Day of that landmark agreement occurred on Saturday. The Agency will now take up its new responsibilities for verifying and monitoring Iran’s nuclear-related commitments under the JCPOA.
As I told the Board this morning, we have come a long way since the Agency first started considering the Iran nuclear issue in 2003.
Much work lies ahead of us. It is essential that all parties fully implement their commitments under the JCPOA. The Agency is committed to playing its part.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The nuclear programme of the DPRK remains a major cause for concern. As you know, the DPRK announced at the beginning of the year that it had carried out a new nuclear weapon test.
Any such test represents a clear violation of UN Security Council resolutions and is deeply regrettable. In my statement earlier this month, I urged the DPRK to implement fully all relevant resolutions of the Security Council and the IAEA.
The Agency remains ready to contribute to the peaceful resolution of the DPRK nuclear issue by resuming its verification activities once a political agreement is reached among countries concerned.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In the coming year, we will press ahead with our Atoms for Peace and Development agenda.
Implementation of the new technical cooperation cycle began on January 1st. The Sustainable Development Goals adopted by world leaders last September provide a supportive backdrop.
Our experience in helping countries to achieve the Millennium Development Goals has given us a good understanding of how nuclear science and technology can best be deployed to support development.
We stand ready to assist Member States as they establish national plans and priorities for the attainment of the SDGs. We are also ready to assist at short notice in response to emergency situations, as we did last year with outbreaks of Ebola virus and avian influenza in West Africa, and after the earthquakes in Nepal.
I am considering devoting the Scientific Forum in September to peaceful nuclear technology for development.
The renovation of our nuclear applications laboratories in Seibersdorf, known as the ReNuAL project, enters a crucial phase this year with the start of construction of at least one building.
I thank the Member States that have provided support. If sufficient funding is provided by June at the latest, we can proceed with parallel construction of the two planned new buildings, achieving maximum cost efficiency.
Please support this major Agency project.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
2016 will be an important year for nuclear security. Demand for Agency assistance in this area continues to grow.
In December, we will host an International Conference on Nuclear Security, with a ministerial segment, here in Vienna. I encourage all countries to be represented at ministerial level.
Entry into force of the 2005 Amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material is finally within our grasp. Just 12 countries need to adhere to the Amendment in order for it to enter into force. I hope and expect that this could happen in 2016.
I appeal to all countries that have not yet done so to adhere to the Amendment as soon as possible.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The climate change agreement at the COP 21 event in Paris will have implications for the work of the Agency, in particular concerning the use of nuclear power.
Some countries have already said that adding nuclear power to their energy mix, or expanding existing programmes, will be essential to help them achieve their climate change goals.
Of course, nuclear safety must come first – a lesson reinforced by the Fukushima Daiichi accident. Following completion of the IAEA Action Plan on Nuclear Safety last year, continuing activities under the Action Plan will be addressed through the regular work of the Agency.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In 2016 and 2017, the Agency will mark its 60th anniversary. Starting with the 60th General Conference in September, we plan to highlight major achievements of the last six decades.
2016 will also be a year in which the formal process begins for the election of a Director General for a four-year term beginning in December 2017.
I have been encouraged by a number of countries to serve a third term as Director General. In order to offer much-needed continuity, I would be very happy to serve another term should Member States continue to place their confidence in me. A formal communication will be made at the appropriate time.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Let me conclude by thanking all of you very warmly for your support in the past year.
I am grateful for the confidence placed in me by the IAEA’s 167 Member States. I look forward to working closely with you in tackling the many challenges we face.
Thank you.