70th Regular Session of the IAEA General Conference
Australia's National Statement (General Debate)
Delivered by H.E. Ambassador Ian Biggs, Head of Delegation, Chair of the Board of Governors and Resident Representative of Australia to the IAEA
16 September 2026
President, it is a privilege to address the General Conference.
Australia warmly welcomes Timor-Leste to the IAEA family. As our close neighbour, Timor-Leste’s membership strengthens the Agency and broadens regional engagement in the peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology.
Over the past year, Australia has had the honour of serving as Chair of the Board of Governors. We have seen the increasing demands on the Agency as it plays its indispensable role in preventing the spread of nuclear weapons, addressing complex safety and security challenges, and responding to the growing demand for the peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology. Australia is convinced that an independent, technically credible and effective IAEA is more important than ever.
This is why Australia has pledged its full share to the Technical Cooperation Fund (TCF) for 2027. Consistent with our longstanding practice, we will pay our contribution in full and on time. We urge all Member States to ensure the Agency is adequately resourced to fulfil this important part of its mandate.
Through the Australian Nuclear Science Support Program, Australia has enabled IAEA initiatives that improve health outcomes, strengthen food and water security, advance scientific research, and build technical capacity across the Indo-Pacific. This includes support for the Rays of Hope program, the focus of this year’s Scientific Forum.
Australia was privileged to host the IAEA Lise Meitner Programme in Sydney this year. Bringing together women nuclear professionals from across Southeast Asia and the Pacific. The full, equal and meaningful participation and leadership of women in the nuclear sector is critical to building the future workforce.
President,
While Australia has chosen not to use nuclear energy for electricity generation, given our abundant renewable energy resources, we are drawing on our deep expertise and longstanding collaboration with the IAEA to help broaden regional access to the life-saving and development-enabling benefits of nuclear science and technology for peaceful purposes.
In 2026, the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) will celebrate twenty years of safe operation of the OPAL multi-purpose research reactor. OPAL is central to nuclear science capability in Australia and the Indo-Pacific. It produces time-critical medical radioisotopes that support nuclear medicine and research in Australia, the Pacific, Asia and around the world.
The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) continues to work with the IAEA to strengthen technical expertise and provide capacity-building programs with Pacific partners. In partnership with the Agency and regional counterparts, Australia is helping to build sustainable national frameworks for the safe and secure management of radioactive material across our region.
The Australian Safeguards and Non-Proliferation Office (ASNO) is supporting the Agency's verification mandate and strengthening safeguards and nuclear security practices in our region. As Chair of the Asia-Pacific Safeguards Network, Australia works closely with safeguards practitioners to develop expertise, improve implementation and support nuclear material accounting and control. This is an important investment in the credibility of the safeguards system.
President,
Australia continues to work closely with the IAEA on a safeguards and verification approach for our acquisition of conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS partnership. This includes ongoing bilateral consultations between Australia and the IAEA on an arrangement under Article 14 of Australia’s Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement. Australia remains committed to setting the highest non-proliferation standard and enabling the IAEA to continue to fulfil its technical objectives throughout the submarines’ program.
Australia has an exemplary track record in nuclear non-proliferation and safety, and our naval nuclear propulsion program will be implemented in a way that reflects Australia’s nuclear stewardship credentials. This is why AUKUS partners continue to work together to build the capabilities, skills and knowledge to safely and securely operate and maintain its future conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines. All activities will be carried out in a manner fully consistent with AUKUS partners’ respective non-proliferation and safeguards obligations. Australia remains committed to transparency and supports the Director General’s reporting to the Board on naval nuclear propulsion programs as he judges appropriate.
President,
For more than twenty years, Australia has coordinated the General Conference resolution on nuclear safety. This year, we will again work constructively with Member States to maintain strong support for nuclear and radiation safety.
Australia condemns Russia's unprovoked and unjustified full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which continues to place nuclear safety and security at unacceptable risk. We commend the IAEA’s independent expert teams for their work at Ukraine's nuclear power plants, including the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, under increasingly dangerous circumstances. We call on Russia to immediately end its aggression and withdraw its forces from Ukraine's internationally recognised territory.
President,
Iran has repeatedly failed to cooperate with the IAEA and fulfil its legally binding safeguards obligations, including inspection requirements. We share the Director General's grave concern about the Agency's inability to verify Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium, including HEU, and the whereabouts of that material. Full access for IAEA verification is required under Iran's safeguards agreement and cannot be treated as optional.
Australia calls on Iran to return to full cooperation with the Agency without delay and to take immediate, concrete steps that enable verification at all its nuclear facilities. We continue to support diplomacy aimed at providing lasting assurance to the international community that Iran cannot obtain a nuclear weapon.
President,
Australia strongly condemns the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s unlawful nuclear weapons program, repeated ballistic missile launches and continuing efforts to expand its nuclear capabilities.
We reject any attempt to justify or normalise these unlawful actions. The General Conference must continue to send a united message on an issue that goes to the core of the Agency's mandate. Australia will again co-sponsor the DPRK resolution and calls on others to do the same. We further urge all Member States to return to supporting adoption of this resolution by consensus.
President,
Australia is grateful to the Southeast Asia and the Pacific Group for the confidence it placed in nominating Australia as Chair of the Board of Governors for 2025-2026. We thank all Board Members and observers for their collegial and constructive engagement, which supported effective work and productive discussions during another demanding year for the Agency.
I reiterate Australia’s unwavering support for the independence, mandate and technical authority of the IAEA. Under the leadership of Director General Grossi, the Agency’s staff work diligently, professionally and impartially. You have our full confidence and support.
Thank you, President.