Statement at the International Atomic Energy Agency's 70th General Conference

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

Vienna, Austria, 14–18 September 2026

President,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Let me congratulate you on your election as President of the 70th General Conference and assure you of Latvia’s full support and cooperation.

Latvia fully aligns itself with the statement delivered on behalf of the European Union. I would like to add a few remarks in my national capacity.

President,

We meet at the time of serious challenges to the international nuclear safety and security. Situation in Ukraine remains of a particular concern. Latvia strongly condemns Russia’s unprovoked, unjustified and illegal war of aggression against Ukraine.

Russia's actions undermine the fundamental principles of the international nuclear safety regime and place people and the environment at unacceptable risk.

Russia's illegal seizure and continued militarization of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant remains  the most serious threat to nuclear safety and security worldwide. In 2026 alone, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant has lost all off-site power 15 times and has been forced to rely on emergency diesel generators to maintain essential nuclear safety functions

Situation remains fragile in other facilities as well. In May, military activity caused a fire at a key electrical substation, leading to the partial loss of off-site power at the South Ukraine Nuclear Power Plant. In June Russian drone hit a spent nuclear fuel storage facility in the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant, partially destroying a fuel handling building.

These repeated incidents demonstrate the growing dangers created by Russia's aggression and underscore a stark reality: nuclear facilities must never become military targets, instruments of coercion, or collateral victims of armed conflict.

Russia must cease all actions endangering Ukraine’s nuclear facilities and return the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant to the full control of the competent Ukrainian authorities. We stand in solidarity with ZNPP staff illegally detained by Russia and call for their immediate release.

Latvia highly values the continued presence of the Agency in Ukraine and its independent reporting. We will continue to support the Agency’s assistance to Ukraine and reiterate our unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.

President,

Latvia remains gravely concerned about the trajectory of Iran’s nuclear programme. Iran has systematically violated its international obligations, long been a destabilizing player in the region and globally, including supporting Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine.

We call on Iran to fully comply with its safeguards obligations and resume full and timely cooperation with the Agency, allowing inspectors full access all nuclear sites. Latvia remains committed to a lasting diplomatic solution and reiterates that Iran must never acquire a nuclear weapon.

We also condemn the DPRK’s continued development of its unlawful nuclear and ballistic missile programmes and its growing military cooperation with Russia in violation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions. Latvia supports the Agency’s readiness to resume verification activities in the DPRK when circumstances permit.

Latvia welcomes the Board of Governors decision to lift the finding of non-compliance against Syria, following clarification of all outstanding issues linked to the legacy of the previous regime. We express our support to Director General’s Grossi constructive engagement and look foward to being kept informed of any further developments.

President,

Latvia remains a strong supporter of the Agency and its mandate in nuclear safety, security and safeguards, which is an essential pillar of the global nuclear non-proliferation regime.

We support the universalisation of Comprehensive Safeguards Agreements and Additional Protocols.

Latvia welcomes this year’s Scientific Forum, “Rays of Hope – Delivering on the Promise of Cancer Care”, recognising the important contribution of nuclear technologies to cancer diagnosis and treatment. Latvia is proud to have contributed to this initiative.

President,

Latvia continues preparatory work to assess the potential role of nuclear energy, particularly small modular reactors, in its future energy system.

In 2026, Latvia has concluded the procurement process for a comprehensive assessment of SMR development opportunities. The assessment will cover key regulatory, safety, technical, environmental, infrastructure and economic aspects of potential SMR deployment and will consider relevant Agency standards and guidance, including the Agency’s Milestones Approach. The assessment will provide an evidence-based foundation for future policy decisions.

President,

Latvia also continues to strengthen its national nuclear and radiation safety framework.

In October 2025, Latvia hosted an Agency’s Emergency Preparedness Review mission, which recognised strong institutional commitment and identified both established practices and opportunities for further improvement. Latvia remains committed to strengthening its emergency preparedness and response arrangements in line with the Agency safety standards.

President,

Moving forward, allow me to illustrate the crucial role of Latvia’s highly valued and productive technical cooperation with the Agency.

Latvia commends the Technical Cooperation Department for its invaluable support to Member States, particularly its guidance on adjusting regulatory frameworks to ensure the high standards of safety, security and safeguards.

Latvia has benefitted from different projects funded by the Technical Cooperation Fund for more than 25 years.

During the current cycle of 2026-2027, our priorities are to enhance knowledge, skills and technical capacity in cancer diagnosis and stereotactic radiotherapy treatment, paediatrics diagnostic in radiology, strengthening radiation safety culture in medical exposure and improving the knowledge of regulatory personnel.

In the next technical cooperation cycle of 2028-2029 Latvia plans to enhance radiation safety and organizational effectiveness of regulatory infrastructure, strengthening national capacity in advanced reactor technologies and neutron-based materials research and strengthen capacities for quality assurance in external beam radiotherapy treatment planning and medical imaging in regional hospital.

President,

We highly appreciate the Agency’s peer review services provided for member states. During next cycle Latvia also plans to host second time Integrated Regulatory Review Service and the Integrated Review Service for Radioactive Waste and Spent Fuel Management, Decommissioning and Remediation Mission.

I would also like to note that later this year, November, we will host a regional training course on the Whole Genome Sequence Analysis of Capripox Viruses. We are honoured to be able to contribute to the implementation of the IAEA flagship initiative ZODIAC.

We are grateful to the Agency for providing Latvia’s institutions the possibility to strengthen their competence in various areas of radiation and nuclear safety and security.

President,

In conclusion, Latvia reaffirms its strong support for the Agency, Director General Grossi and the Agency’s staff.

At a time of growing challenges to the international nuclear safety, security and non-proliferation architecture, the Agency’s independent and impartial work remains more important than ever.

Latvia will continue to support the Agency in fulfilling its mandate. Thank you, President.