IAEA Board of Governors Meeting - Agenda Item 2: Nuclear and radiation safety
Australian Statement
H.E Ambassador Ian Biggs, Governor and Resident Representative of Australia to the IAEA
8 September 2025
We thank the Deputy Director General for her introductory remarks and welcome the Director General’s Nuclear and Radiation Safety Report for 2025.
Chair,
The agency has again delivered excellent work in nuclear and radiation safety, and we note the IAEA’s work in monitoring the situation with respect to key nuclear infrastructure in Ukraine. More than 220 posts were submitted regarding Ukraine in the Unified System for Information Exchange in Incidents and Emergencies (USIE). Australia views this platform and others supported by the Agency as an essential mechanism for the timely sharing of information related to radiological and nuclear incidents across the globe.
Chair,
Australia is pleased to be hosting an upcoming ARTEMIS mission in November this year. Such review missions and advisory services are an important mechanism to allow Member States to understand how they might improve their national regulations and policies to ensure alignment with the IAEA standards.
Australia is also pleased to have recently hosted the agency’s Regional Workshop on the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material in Sydney in April. We trust that Member States’ use of, and compliance with, the IAEA Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material (SSR-6) has been increased, and we are proud to have assisted in this regard.
Chair,
Australia remains committed to supporting the exchange of knowledge and experiences within the Asia Pacific region to assist the region in the safe use of existing and emerging nuclear technologies.
Australia commends the Agency for its work in radiation safety and environmental protection, and congratulates the Agency on its technical meetings, regional action meetings, and information sharing exercises conducted over the last year. These proactive measures help share best practices to ensure the safe use of new and emerging technologies.
Chair
Australia has full confidence in the transparent, scientific process that has led to the decision by Japan to release the treated water from Fukushima, as well as the IAEA’s independent, impartial and science-based technical advice.
Finally Chair,
Australia notes the support the Agency has provided to Member States in the development of comprehensive national nuclear legal frameworks that can promote legislative compliance. We also commend the work done to assist Member States in developing their own regulatory frameworks, particularly through the Regulatory Infrastructure and Development Project (RIDP).
With these comments, Australia notes the Director General’s Nuclear and Radiation Safety Report for 2025.