Agenda Item - 6 Strengthening the Agency’s activities related to Nuclear Science, Technology and Applications

International Atomic Energy Agency

Board of Governors’ Meetings

 (September, 2018)

Agenda Item - 6

Strengthening the Agency’s activities related to Nuclear Science, Technology and Applications

Statement by the Governor for India

Ambassador Renu Pall

Mr. Chairman

We associate ourselves with the Statement made by the distinguished Ambassador of Ecuador on behalf of G-77 and China and would like to add the following additional remarks.

Mr. Chairman

We appreciate the detailed update provided by the Secretariat in response to the General Conference guidance. We note the Agency’s assessment that its activities related to nuclear science, technology and applications can potentially contribute to all the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The activities, however, directly contribute to eight of these goals. We believe that the IAEA Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Science and Technology in November this year would be an ideal platform to raise awareness on this important aspect among the participants from Member States so that peaceful uses of nuclear technologies can be further enhanced.

The fourth IAEA International Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Power in the 21st Century held last year in Abu Dhabi recognized in its conclusions that nuclear power is a proven, clean, safe and economical technology that will play an increasingly important role in achieving energy security, reducing the impact of volatile fossil fuels and mitigating the effects of climate change and air pollution. The Conference also recognized that experience with fast reactors and closed fuel cycles demonstrate these as an important option in enhancing the sustainability of nuclear power.

For India, nuclear power, including innovative reactors, will have an important role to play in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and meeting the targets in the Paris Agreement.  Presently 8 new NPPs are at various stages of implementation, which will add 6200 MWe of electricity in the coming years. Work has begun towards realizing additional 7000 MWe of power by constructing 10 units of India’s indigenous 700 MWe Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWR), with state-of-the-art technology which meets the highest standards of safety. A number of LWRs are at different stages of approval.

India’s first 500 MWe Sodium cooled Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) is in an advanced stage of commissioning, which will be followed by a number of nuclear power plants based on this technology.  

My delegation believes that the Agency’s programme and achievements under nuclear applications in food and agriculture, human health and nutrition, water resources management, protection of the environment, and industry will go a long way in meeting the needs of developing countries. We will continue our support to the Agency’s activities in these areas, including by way of services of experts, and training facilities in reputed institutions for scientists from Member States.

Mr. Chairman

With these comments, we take note of the recommended actions contained in document GOV/2018/29-GC (62)/4 and endorse its transmission to the General Conference at its 62nd regular session.

Thank You, Mr. Chairman