IAEA Board of Governors
Agenda item 5: Nuclear and radiation safety
8 September 2026
Statement delivered by Charlotte East, Alternate Representative of Australia to the IAEA
Chair
Australia welcomes the Director General's 2026 report on Strengthening the Agency's Activities Related to Nuclear Science, Technology and Applications.
The Agency’s work in nuclear science, technology and applications remains essential to ensuring that all Member States can harness the benefits of nuclear science and technology for peaceful purposes.
Australia hosted the seventh Lise Meitner Programme (LMP) at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, ANSTO in February 2026. The programme brought together 22 nuclear professionals from across the Southeast Asia-Pacific region, providing an important opportunity to strengthen technical expertise, foster professional networks and support the continued development of the nuclear workforce. Australia was pleased to contribute to this initiative, which provided participants with practical experience in nuclear medicine production and nuclear science and technology research and applications at ANSTO. Importantly, the programme also demonstrated how nuclear science and technology can contribute to sustainable development, including in human health, environmental protection, agriculture and ocean health.
Chair,
Australia is proud to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the OPAL research reactor at ANSTO. OPAL has delivered significant benefits for Australia and the region, supporting scientific research, nuclear medicine, education and innovation, while strengthening regional cooperation and access to nuclear science and technology.
Australia remains committed to working with the IAEA and regional partners to strengthen research reactor capabilities and infrastructure across Asia and the Pacific.
Andrew Peele, Group Executive of ANSTO’s Nuclear Science and Technology Group, chairs the Director General’s Standing Advisory Group on Nuclear Applications (SAGNA). Australia looks forward to the next SAGNA meeting in 2027 and to supporting its important role in guiding the Agency’s strategic priorities.
Chair,
Australia is pleased to have announced in June 2026, our latest tranche of extra-budgetary contributions to support the IAEA’s work across the following areas:
- $2.75 million to the Rays of Hope initiative to support training and capacity building for medical personnel in Small Island Developing States (SIDS), including Pacific Island countries, through the provision of equipment, training of personnel, and the facilitation of scientific visits and fellowships in Australia in areas relevant to cancer care and nuclear medicine.
- $950 000 to Atoms4Food to support Collaborative Research Projects, including the new project, Nuclear-Driven Crop Innovation: Boosting Nutrition and Climate Resilience in the Indo-Pacific Region.
- $300 000 to support the Global Water Analysis Laboratory (GloWAL) Network and the completion of an existing Collaborative Research Project on Improving the Uptake of Isotope Techniques for Sustainable Water Management in Small Island Developing States.
These contributions reflect Australia's strong commitment to harnessing nuclear science and technology to improve health outcomes, strengthen food security, and support sustainable development across our region and beyond.
With these comments, Australia notes the Director General's report on Strengthening the Agency's Activities Related to Nuclear Science, Technology and Applications.
Thank you, Chair.