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Mr. President
The delegation of Pakistan would like to begin by expressing its appreciation for the annual report of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the efforts put in by the Agency and the Director General, Dr. Mohamed El Baradei in this regard.
Mr. President
The IAEA’s role as the world’s focal point in promoting peaceful uses of nuclear energy assumes greater significance in view of the fast growing global energy demand and shortage of fossil fuel reserves, as well as the diverse challenges of environment and proliferation. The IAEA can make a significant contribution in meeting the needs and challenges of the 21st century by ensuring equitable access to nuclear materials, technology and equipment for peaceful purposes.
In order to ensure the realization of every state’s right to the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, there is a need to evolve universal and non-discriminatory criteria for international cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, including nuclear power generation. In this regard, principles should be placed above expediency and commercial interests. A non-discriminatory approach in promotion of civilian nuclear cooperation would help reinforce confidence and credibility in the IAEA safeguards system and strengthen the non-proliferation regime.
In the context of peaceful uses of nuclear energy, it would be pertinent to recall US President Eisenhower’s words, who in his “Atoms for Peace” address to the General Assembly in 1953 had stated the following:
"Its not enough to take this (nuclear) weapon out of the hands of the soldiers. It must be put in the hands of those who will know how to strip its military casing and adapt it to the arts of peace".
It is imperative to place the “Atoms for Peace” paradigm, the founding spirit of the IAEA, at the centre of any ‘future vision’ for the Agency. This can only be ensured through maintaining balance between the promotional activities of the Agency and its work in the areas of verification, nuclear safety and security. We should not lose sight of the fact that the IAEA’s Statutory mandate in the areas of verification, safety and security are aimed at facilitating the pursuit of the primary objective of the Agency, i.e., the promotion of peaceful uses of atomic energy.
Mr. President,
As one of the most efficient technical organizations in the UN system, it is essential that the IAEA maintain focus on its technical promotional character. The promotional activities of the Agency are best reflected in its technical cooperation programme. This dynamic process of technical assistance has brought about tangible benefits to developing member States.
Pakistan has been one of the major beneficiaries of the Agency’s Technical Cooperation Programme. The Agency has made a valuable contribution in the development of our peaceful nuclear programme. We would like to express our deep appreciation to the Department of Technical Cooperation for achieving a high rate of implementation, and excellent programme delivery.
On our part, we have made, and remain prepared to do so in the future as well, our contribution towards the Agency’s promotional activities by sharing our experience, offering training placements and providing services of experts.
As one of its earliest Member States, Pakistan has long been a strong advocate of promoting and harnessing of nuclear technology for peace, progress and prosperity for all. Pakistan has developed the entire range of the nuclear fuel cycle facilities. We now have two nuclear power plants in operation, while a third one is under construction. We have plans to establish a uranium conversion and enrichment facility to cater to the needs of our nuclear power plants. As announced already, Pakistan intends to place this facility under IAEA safeguards. We look forward to the IAEA’s assistance in the completion of our nuclear power generation plan, including assistance in the exploration and prospecting for uranium in the country, so that this clean source of power production is exploited to the maximum possible extent instead of reliance on fossil fuels.
Parallel to the development of the nuclear fuel cycle, an extensive programme for application of nuclear technology and radioisotopes in agriculture, hydrology, medical and industrial sectors is also underway in Pakistan.
Mr. President
Since the foundation of its atomic energy development programme, Pakistan has always recognized that nuclear safety and security in the national and international context is a vital objective. Though the Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA) was established as an independent regulatory body in 2001, the genesis of physical protection of nuclear facilities and security of nuclear and radioactive materials goes back decades when safety and security were internally managed by the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC). In the area of nuclear security, Pakistan has always strived to follow the existing international standards. The IAEA document INFCIRC/225 on “The Physical Protection of Nuclear material and Nuclear Facilities”, though a voluntary guidance for Member States, has been used as a basis for inspection and enforcement in Pakistan. We are also following the guidance contained in the IAEA Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources and are participating in the IAEA’s Illicit Trafficking Data Base (ITDB).
The law establishing the Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority, mandates the PNRA “to ensure that appropriate measures for the physical protection of nuclear installations and nuclear materials are taken by all licensees”. It also requires PNRA to ensure enforcement of regulations prohibiting unauthorized access to, possession or use of nuclear and radioactive material and facilities containing such materials.
Since its establishment, the PNRA has adopted a body of regulations and upgraded the already existing ones to bring them at par with international standards on nuclear safety and security. Since June 2006, PNRA is implementing the national Nuclear Security Action Plan (NSAP) in Pakistan.
Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority has used IAEA Safety Standards as the basis for national regulations to regulate nuclear installations and facilities. The Authority has established frutiful cooperation with IAEA, and we deeply appreciate valuable assistance received from the Agency in the areas of nuclear safety and security.
However, we urge the Agency to work out ways and means to facilitate transfers of safety-related technology. We also urge states with advanced nuclear technology to move beyond emphasizing the significance of nuclear safety and security and to take steps to remove unjustified restrictions on transfers of related technology and equipment in order to promote the objective of nuclear safety and security worldwide.
Mr. President
I would like to conclude by placing on record Pakistan’s commitment to nuclear non-proliferation. Our track record on IAEA safeguards has been immaculate and we have always fulfilled our obligations. We have in place, effective controls over the export of goods, technologies and facilities related to nuclear weapons and their delivery systems. These controls are at par with existing international standards. We believe that the global non-proliferation regime must be strengthened on the basis of moral and political commitment to its objectives as well as by the application of the norms on a non-selective, non-discriminatory and in an equitable manner.
Thank you.