Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in the city of Enerhodar, Ukraine shelled on March 4, 2022 (Photo: AFP/VNA)Addressing an emergency meeting of the IAEA Board ofGovernors, held on March 2-3, Ambassador Kien, as a member of the Board in the2021-2023 tenure, emphasised that IAEA has a function of building a framework and assistingcountries to ensure safety and security in the process of developing nucleartechnology for peaceful purposes, and is also tasked with implementing aninspection mechanism to ensure that countries' nuclear programmes are not formilitary purposes.
On that basis, Vietnam proposes relevant parties comply withtheir obligations under international law as well as strictly implementing theIAEA's standards and guidance on nuclear safety, security and inspection toavoid unfortunate incidents, he stated, affirming that the IAEA is anindependent international organisation in the field of nuclear technologydevelopment and application, so all its activities and decisions should bereviewed and approved on the basis of compliance with its functions and duties.
Speaking at the meeting, IAEA Director General RafaelMariano Grossi said that it is the first time a military conflict is happeningamidst the facilities of a large, established nuclear power programme, which inthis case also include the site of the 1986 accident at the Chornobyl NuclearPower Plant.
The safety and security of nuclear facilities, and nuclearand other radioactive material, in Ukraine must under no circumstances beendangered, he noted.
He called for restraint from all measures or actions thatcould jeopardise the security of nuclear and other radioactive material, andthe safe operation of any nuclear facilities in Ukraine, because any suchincident could have severe consequences, aggravating human suffering andcausing environmental harm.
The IAEA Board of Governors adopted a resolution, initiatedby Canada and Poland, calling for a halt to actions that could potentiallycause a nuclear accident and affect the IAEA’s inspection process./.
VNA
