Disarmament

IAEA Board of Governors Meeting - 13-17 September 2010

Agenda item 6: Strengthening the Agency’s activities related to nuclear science, technology and applications

New Zealand statement

Thank you Mr Chairman.

I would like to thank the Director General for his report of 18 August on Strengthening the Agency’s Activities related to Nuclear Science, Technology and Applications.  New Zealand notes the progress reports it contains on the African Union’s Pan African Tstse and Trypanosomosis Eradication Campaign; development of the sterile insect technique; support to Member States in food and agriculture; and Agency activities in the area of nuclear energy.

New Zealand acknowledges the many benefits that can come from the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, particularly in activities relating to food quality and safety, crop improvement, sustainable land and water management, pest control, water resources and access to fresh water, and in environmental management and health (including vaccine research and cancer therapy).

It is New Zealand’s belief that nuclear non-proliferation, safety, security and waste management should be an integral part of the development of peaceful uses of nuclear energy. We need to ensure that nuclear technology remains accessible to all while at the same time ensuring that such technologies are managed safely and securely, and do not contribute to the proliferation of nuclear weapons.

Mr Chairman

We note the section of the report on Agency Activities in the Development of Innovative Nuclear Technology, particularly the reference to a study on legal and institutional issues of transportable nuclear power plants.  We understand that the study reviewed safety, security, safeguards, and nuclear liability and infrastructure issues for reactors which are fabricated at one location and then transported to the sites where they will be operated.  The issue of nuclear transport is of great interest to New Zealand and we look forward to the opportunity to consider this study and its full report which we understand will be published later this year.  

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