Statement by the Republic of Latvia at the International Atomic Energy Agency's 68th General Conference, September 2024

68^th General Conference of the IAEA

Statement

The Republic of Latvia

Mrs. Līga Kurevska, State Secretary of the Ministry of Climate and Energy of the Republic of Latvia,

Vienna, Austria, 16 – 20 September 2024

Mr. President,

Excellences,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Latvia fully aligns with the official statement of the European Union available online. I would like to add some remarks in a national capacity.

Let me begin by congratulating you on your election as President of this Conference. I look forward to work under your guidance.

Mr. President,

The nuclear non-proliferation architecture remains deeply challenged.

Latvia condemns in the strongest possible terms Russia’s unjustified full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine. Russia’s actions have significantly escalated risks to nuclear safety and security, notably through the illegal seizure and militarization of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant. The Agency's missions at Ukrainian nuclear facilities, particularly the permanent presence of experts at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant, are critical in fostering the safe and secure operation of these facilities. Latvia commends the Agency for its efforts to ensure nuclear safety and security in Ukraine trough observance of Agency’s crucial seven indispensable pillars and five concrete principles.

Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and its irresponsible behavior has not only increased risks to global nuclear safety and security, but also holds the Agency, other international and national institutions, which track levels of radiation, under heightened strain.

We are grateful to the Agency for providing fact-based and independent information about the nuclear safety situation in Ukraine, thus reducing misinformation and improving public understanding and confidence.

Mr. President,

Latvia is gravely concerned about Iran's ongoing departure from its Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action commitments, which poses significant risks of irreversible nuclear proliferation in the region and beyond. We urge Iran to uphold and fully implement the NPT Safeguards Agreement and to cooperate with the Agency in timely and transparent manner.

Latvia condemns the continued provocations from the North Korea. We call on the North Korea for complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization, as its nuclear activities are blatant violations of multiple UN Security Council resolutions. We call on the North Korea to return to and fully comply with the NPT and Agency’s safeguards.

While supporting the safe and sustainable use of nuclear technology, we believe that non-proliferation commitments must be upheld to fully realize these benefits. Latvia supports the Agency’s vital role in promoting the safe, secure, and sustainable use of nuclear technology across all countries and emphasizes the importance of maintaining efforts to enhance global nuclear safety, prevent nuclear terrorism, and foster responsible innovations in energy, medicine, and beyond.

Mr. President,

The demand for applications of nuclear technology and nuclear energy is growing, but technological development must be accompanied by the development of stringent safety and security standards.

Latvia is among the countries that are considering nuclear energy as a potential option for future energy production. We are carefully evaluating the risks, costs, and benefits before making a final decision, and are cognizant of the fact that the responsibility for ensuring the highest standards for nuclear safety and security rests with each individual State. 

Mr. President,

To assess national progress in strengthening and enhancing the effectiveness of the regulatory infrastructure, Integrated Regulatory Review Service follow-up mission will be held in Latvia next month.

We are also hosting Agency’s regional project events. For example, a Regional Training Course on Advanced Dosimetry and Quality Control Tools in Diagnostic Radiology will take place in Latvia next week.

Latvia highly appreciates the Agency’s Technical Cooperation Department for its invaluable support to the Member States, particularly its guidance on adjusting regulatory frameworks.

Three Latvian national projects have been implemented within the framework of the Agency’s Technical Cooperation Program during the period of 2024-2025. In the next Cycle of 2026-2027 Latvia plans to enhance knowledge, skills and technical capacity in cancer diagnosis and stereotactic radiotherapy treatment, pediatric diagnostics in radiology and will continue to strengthen radiation safety culture in medical exposure and further improve the knowledge of our regulatory team.

We are grateful to the Agency for the opportunity it has provided to Latvian institutions to strengthen the competence in various areas of radiation protection, nuclear safety and security.

Mr. President,

In conclusion, Latvia fully supports the work of the Agency across the entire spectrum of its mandate. We highly value the work of the Agency and its indispensable role in ensuring nuclear safety, security, and safeguards worldwide, as well as protection against radiation.

Thank you.