“Australia is a key IAEA partner, and I am satisfied with the country’s expressed commitments to comply with all of its obligations towards nuclear non-proliferation,” IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said this week during his visit to Australia. With engagements in Adelaide, Canberra and Sydney, Mr Grossi spoke with Australia’s leaders, including the Prime Minister, Defence and Foreign Ministers about nuclear non-proliferation challenges, delivered a lecture at the Australia National University on the future of IAEA safeguards and global security, and visited the facilities of the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation.
Speaking with Mr Grossi on Wednesday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese highlighted Australia’s unwavering commitment to nuclear non-proliferation in the context of AUKUS. AUKUS is a partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America. Through AUKUS, Australia seeks to acquire conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarines, which requires special arrangements for nuclear safeguards.
Mr Albanese stressed to the Director General Australia’s commitment to nuclear non-proliferation in the context of AUKUS. He also expressed interest in the IAEA’s Rays of Hope initiative. Launched in February this year, Rays of Hope seeks to increase cancer care access in low- and middle-income countries by helping to introduce and improve radiation medicine capacities and build the cancer care workforce. Australia is a leader in its region for healthcare and could play a significant role in supporting its neighbours through the initiative.
After a meeting with Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Monday, Mr Grossi described Australia as a strong supporter of the IAEA’s mission. The two discussed AUKUS and nuclear proliferation challenges in Iran and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
“The work of the IAEA to contribute to global peace and security has never been more important, or more urgent,” Ms Wong said, vowing that Australia would work to ensure AUKUS sets the highest possible nuclear non-proliferation standards.
Mr Grossi also met with the Governor of South Australia Frances Adamson, the country’s state secretaries, and representatives of the Minerals Council of Australia with whom he had an exchange on Australia's economy, the uranium market, perspectives on small modular reactors, and ways in which nuclear can improve lives.
The work of the IAEA to contribute to global peace and security has never been more important, or more urgent.
