IAEA Board of Governors
Agenda Item 3: Nuclear security: Nuclear Security Review 2024
4 March 2024
Group statement by H.E Ambassador Ian Biggs, Governor and Resident Representative of Australia to the IAEA, on behalf of Kazakhstan and Australia
Thank you Chair,
The following statement is made on behalf of Kazakhstan and Australia.
Kazakhstan and Australia welcome the opportunity to comment on the Director General’s draft Nuclear Security Review for 2024.
We would like to first commend the Director General and the Department of Nuclear Safety and Security for their tireless efforts in supporting Member States in strengthening their nuclear security regimes, and for continuing to provide essential training, technical advice, peer reviews and other advisory services in nuclear security.
Distinguished Chair,
Kazakhstan and Australia are privileged to Co-Preside over the International Conference on Nuclear Security (ICONS) which will take place in May this year under the theme ‘Shaping the Future’.
ICONS 2024 is a global forum for ministers, policymakers, senior officials and nuclear security experts to discuss nuclear security. Convened every four years, it is the largest international conference on nuclear security and provides an important opportunity for all Member States to highlight commitments and most recent accomplishments in nuclear security.
Chair,
Kazakhstan and Australia are also privileged to chair the process for preparing the ICONS 2024 Ministerial Declaration.
This Declaration will enable all Member States to shape the future of nuclear security by providing valuable input for the IAEA on its work; and by highlighting Member States’ joint commitments, recent successes, and emerging challenges in international nuclear security.
It is our intention to achieve a strong, forward-leaning, consensual declaration that builds upon the 2020 Ministerial Declaration and drives progress in nuclear security and international cooperation. We have already conducted two meetings of the Open-Ended Working Group and had number of bilateral consultations with Member States.
We are committed to working with all Member States transparently and inclusively to deliver a consensus outcome and thank all Member States for their engagement and input into the process thus far.
Finally Chair,
We encourage all Member States to consider participating in ICONS 2024 at Ministerial level; to announce their recent nuclear security achievements; and to make new nuclear security commitments.
This will ensure the universal benefits of strong and sustainable nuclear security regimes are recognised. It will further demonstrate the important role of every Member State in creating and maintaining a durable and resilient global nuclear security system.
With these remarks, Kazakhstan and Australia are pleased to take note of the Nuclear Security Review 2024.