Australian Permanent Mission to the United Nations

New York

Permanent Mission address: 150 East 42 Street, Level 33, New York, New York 10017 - Telephone: 1 212 351 6600 - Fax: 1 212 351 6610

UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Statement by H.E. Mr Peter Tesch Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of the Australian Mission to the United Nations

Item 14: Report of the International Atomic Energy Agency

New York 4 November 2003

Mr President

I would first like to thank Director-General El Baradei for his comprehensive statement on the achievements of the IAEA, and his preview of the challenges the Agency will face over the coming year. We would also like to register our appreciation for his focused leadership throughout this challenging year for the Agency.

Mr President

Australia is strongly committed to the three pillars which form the basis of the Agency’s mandate, namely: safety and security, science and technology, and safeguards and verification. Australia believes that the global implementation of an effective system of strengthened safeguards will deliver substantial security benefits. In Australia’s view, the Agency’s verification and promotional activities are mutually reinforcing in nature. Strengthening the credibility of the Agency’s verification system promotes confidence in nuclear science and technology.

A priority for Australia is achieving the widest possible application of the IAEA’s Additional Protocol on strengthened safeguards. The Additional Protocol represents the new verification standard for NPT safeguards. This means that the IAEA safeguards system should come quickly to be regarded as comprising both classical safeguards and the Additional Protocol. Australia urges states yet to sign and ratify an Additional Protocol to do so as soon as possible.

Australia was the first Member State to ratify an Additional Protocol, and was pleased to be the first country in which integrated safeguards are being applied. Australia welcomes the application of integrated safeguards in Norway and Indonesia.

Mr President

The safety and security of nuclear and radioactive materials must be a priority for allcountries. Australia has contributed to regional and international efforts to enhance the understanding of how safety culture can be implemented in nuclear organisations. A particular focus for Australia is promoting improvements in the international safety regime for research reactors. Australia also continues to promote constructive dialogue between shipping and coastal states on the safe transport of radioactive material. And Australia has contributed to the review of the Convention on Physical Protection of Nuclear Materials.

The International Conference on the Safety of Transport of Radioactive Material saw very constructive discussion of the issues affecting transport. The development of an action plan flowing from the Conference will help build confidence further and ensure the continuation of what has been an excellent safety record in this field.

Australia welcomes the adoption of the Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources. The Code establishes the basis for countries to commit to international best practice in these areas, integrating the traditional issues of safety with the increased importance of security.

Mr President

It is gratifying to see the very strong level of support for technical cooperation across the Agency’s membership. Australia is pleased to contribute A$2 million to the Technical Co-operation Fund for 2004. In addition, Australia continues to provide strong support to the Agency's Regional Cooperative Agreement (RCA) for the Asia-Pacific. Since 1979, Australia’s overseas aid program has provided more than A$10 million in support of RCA project packages. Australia is currently funding a new phase of the IAEA/RCA Improving Regional Radiological Safety Capabilities project, which aims to improve regional capacity to respond to radiological risks, including aquatic environmental risks and radiological emergencies.

Mr President

Recently, the international community has been faced with significant and worrying challenges to the nuclear non-proliferation regimen. Like other countries, Australia expressed deep concern at the announcement by the DPRK of its withdrawal from the NPT and its removal of its nuclear facilities from Agency safeguards. We noted that continued pursuit by the DPRK of nuclear weapons in the face of concerted international opposition would serve only to isolate that country further from the international community and from the economic and other benefits it so desperately needs. Nuclear weapons will diminish, not enhance, the security of the DPRK.

Australia strongly supports efforts to reach a peaceful, diplomatic solution to the North Korean nuclear issue. We welcome the process of multi-party dialogue that began in Beijing in August this year and appreciate the positive role played by China in helping bring this dialogue into being. In Australia’s view, such talks hold the key to progress towards a peaceful resolution.

Similarly, Mr President, we have been encouraged by recent developments in respect of Iran’s nuclear activities, arising from the agreement reached between the foreign ministers of Iran, Britain, France and Germany late last month. Iran’s declared willingness to conclude a safeguards-strengthening Additional Protocol with the IAEA and to suspend uranium enrichment and reprocessing activities are important and welcome. But more important, and more welcome still, will be determined action on Iran’s part to fulfil its undertakings. It is in Iran’s own interests to heed the clear message from the international community and co-operate fully with the IAEA.

Mr President

At this critical point in history, member states must maintain the momentum for the Agency's work on strengthened safeguards and other verification activity. The Agency can count on Australia’s continuing strong support as it implements its programs and adapts to meet new challenges.