(As prepared for delivery)
The entry into force of the Paris Agreement today marks an important milestone in global efforts to combat climate change.
I congratulate all the Parties for making this landmark agreement a reality.
One of the key challenges facing all countries is how to secure sufficient energy to power economic growth, while working to mitigate the effects of climate change.
Nuclear power is one of the lowest-carbon technologies for generating electricity. Some 30 countries are already using nuclear power and another 30 are considering introducing it.
Nuclear power plants produce virtually no greenhouse gas emissions or air pollutants during their operation, and only very low emissions over their entire life cycle.
Nuclear power has already made a significant contribution to avoiding carbon dioxide emissions and it will continue to do so.
The world must not only tackle the causes of climate change. The damage that climate change has already caused to the environment, and the threat it can pose to human livelihoods, also need to be addressed.
Nuclear and isotopic techniques make an important contribution to tackling serious environmental challenges such as desertification, soil erosion, pollution and deteriorating water quality.
The IAEA is committed to helping its 168 Member States to use nuclear science and technology to generate low-carbon electricity for development, and to counter the effects of climate change.