IAEA Board of Governors
Agenda Item 3: Nuclear security: Nuclear Security Review 2026
2 March 2026
Statement by Mr Denis Cairney, Alternate Resident Representative of Australia to the IAEA
Thank you, Chair.
Australia welcomes the Director General’s Nuclear Security Review 2026. Australia reaffirms the central and coordinating role of the IAEA in nuclear security activities and commend the Secretariat for its ongoing efforts to assist Member States in strengthening the global nuclear security framework.
Chair,
Australia recognises the increasing significance of information and computer security to global nuclear security. As cyber threats to nuclear facilities and sensitive information grow in complexity, we commend the Agency’s continued focus on this area. Australia strongly supports the IAEA’s ongoing efforts to develop robust guidance and assist Member States in building resilience against cyber-attacks throughout nuclear security regimes.
Enhancing information and computer security was a point of significant discussion at the First Review Conference to the Amended CPPNM in 2022. It is timely that in the lead up to the Second Review Conference, the Agency is hosting the International Conference on Computer Security in the Nuclear World and the International Conference on the Safe and Secure Transport of Nuclear and Radioactive Material. We encourage all Parties to participate fully in these important conferences and reflect on the adequacy of existing measures in advance of the 2027 Review Conference. We urge Member States that have not yet done so to ratify, accept or approve the CPPNM and its Amendment.
Chair,
Australia continues to participate closely in the Agency’s work on nuclear forensic science, and valued the opportunity for the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) and the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) to co-host a side event at the 69th IAEA General Conference in September 2025. The event shared a case study of the real-world impact of cooperation in nuclear forensics; from IAEA enabled training activities at ANSTO to the successful application of nuclear forensics in the Philippines.
Chair,
Australia recognises the efforts made by our counterparts in the Pacific region and continues to partner with Member States in our region to promote understanding of leadership in nuclear security and nuclear safety. In 2025, the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency hosted the IAEA Regional Workshop on Nuclear Security Detection Architecture and the IAEA School on Nuclear and Radiological Leadership for Safety and for Nuclear Security to build capacity within our region, and enhance participants’ awareness of key nuclear detection architecture concepts.
Chair,
Australia strongly supports measures that seek to promote and enhance gender equality in the IAEA’s Nuclear Security activities. We note the slight increase in women participants overall in IAEA Nuclear Security training and encourage additional efforts in this regard.
Finally Chair,
We welcome the Agency’s critical work under difficult conditions, including its efforts on nuclear security in the context of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.
With these comments, Australia takes note of the Nuclear Security Review 2026.
Thank you Chair.