Addressed the @IAEAorg Board of Governors this morning at a time of heightened global uncertainty and increasing demands on the Agency. In Ukraine, where the war has entered its fifth year, the situation remains extremely challenging, particularly at the ZNPP, where restoration works on the 330kV back-up off-site power are under way under a fifth localized IAEA-brokered ceasefire. Since 2022, our teams have been present in the country, and today they are deployed at all NPP sites to help ensure their safe and secure operation. We will continue this work and, as we approach the 40th anniversary of the Chornobyl accident in April, we are also working to address damage to the New Safe Confinement. We are also maintaining independent verification of the safety of ALPS-treated water discharges from Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. Interest in nuclear power continues to expand, with around 60 countries now considering its introduction. Nuclear is increasingly seen as a stabilizing low-carbon backbone supporting energy security, development and new sources of demand such as AI. Following the Nuclear Energy Summit in Brussels, the second Summit will take place in Paris on 10 March. Following our cooperation with the @WorldBankGroup, we have also signed agreements with the @ADB_HQ and the @AgendaCAF, and are expanding partnerships with other financial institutions. I thank the United States for supporting the launch of the ATLAS initiative later this year in the country. The project will support the safe and secure deployment of nuclear technologies at sea. And the demand for the peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology is also rising. Our flagship initiatives are delivering tangible results: we now have 18 #RaysOfHope Anchor Centres and continue expanding access to cancer care worldwide and will be the theme of this year’s Scientific Forum; ZODIAC is strengthening preparedness and response to disease outbreaks; #Atoms4Food is helping countries improve food security and resilience; and #NUTECplastics is supporting more than 100 countries in monitoring and addressing plastic pollution. Looking ahead, the IAEA will support the upcoming NPT Review Conference in New York, a key moment for the global non-proliferation regime. I took the opportunity to welcome the Republic of Maldives to the IAEA family. The Agency is a unique and indispensable organization and we will keep delivering on our mandate of Atoms for Peace and Development and supporting diplomatic solutions where they are needed most. This morning I also delivered a statement to the special session of the Board of Governors on the situation in the Middle East: atoms.iaea.org/46AiyiF My full statement to the regular session of the Board of Governors is available here: atoms.iaea.org/3OAODAL

My statement to the special session of the @IAEAorg Board on Governors this morning on the situation in the Middle East. iaea.org/newscenter/statemen…