IAEA Chief Calls for Renewed Commitment to Non-Proliferation

IAEA Director-General Rafael Mariano Grossi, delivers his statement at the opening of the IAEA 69th General Conference in Vienna.

At the start of the 69th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna on Monday, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi spoke about the nuclear challenges facing the world and called on States to “recommit” to non-proliferation.

He stressed that support for the non-proliferation regime, the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), and the IAEA itself is crucial.

“I urge Member States to recommit to a system that has been one of the most important foundations for international peace, even during the tensest decades of our generation,” he said.

He noted that the conference comes at a time when “acts of terrorism, multiple military conflicts, and the erosion of nuclear norms are all happening against a growing gap between poverty and prosperity.”

Mr Grossi also spoke about the IAEA’s work to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons while promoting the peaceful use of nuclear science, including for cancer treatment, food security, plastic pollution monitoring, disease detection and artificial intelligence.

Earlier this year, Syria agreed to cooperate with the IAEA, and just last week the agency reached an agreement with Iran to resume the implementation of nuclear safeguards – technical measures used by the IAEA to ensure that advancements in nuclear technology are strictly for peaceful purposes.

“When the IAEA confirms the peaceful use of a State’s nuclear material, confidence over nuclear activities is established,” said Mr Grossi.

In Ukraine, where nuclear power plants remain at risk due to conflict, the IAEA has deployed more than 200 missions and is “present on the ground at all the sites.”

But challenges persist. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) continues its nuclear weapons programme, while even countries adhering to the NPT – the landmark international agreement intended to eliminate nuclear weapons – are debating expanding their arsenals.

“Think for a minute about a world where, instead of a few, we would have 20 or 25 countries armed with nuclear weapons,” he warned.

Three years ago, the IAEA launched its flagship programme Rays of Hope, becoming a “catalyst for real, substantial progress in cancer care.” Through the initiative, hospitals have been built, radiotherapy machines procured, and physicists trained in 40 countries.

Additionally, the IAEA’s joint programme with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Atoms4Food, is helping boost food security and reduce the environmental strain from agriculture.

“In a world of abundance, 700 million people should not have to go to bed hungry every night,” he said.

Mr Grossi also highlighted initiatives supporting countries in addressing plastic pollution and waste, and another aimed at strengthening global preparedness for disease outbreaks.

With powerful tools like artificial intelligence and machine learning, “the future is too exciting to miss.” Nuclear energy can power artificial intelligence infrastructure, while artificial intelligence can enhance nuclear technology. To further explore this relationship, the IAEA will host its first symposium dedicated to the topic in December.

Fusion energy, advancing with support from both public and private investment, is another technological breakthrough expected soon.

“Every challenge is an opportunity,” concluded Mr Grossi. “Peace is not simply the absence of conflict. It is dynamic, hopeful striving that I see in what we do all around the world.”

The 69th IAEA General Conference will take place from 15–19 September in Vienna, Austria, with more than 3,000 participants registered to attend.