The IAEA Director General reminded the Agency’s Board of Governors today of the precarious nuclear safety situation in Ukraine, and discussed his trip to Fukushima, developments with Iran, reaching gender parity at the IAEA and more. 

Nuclear safety in Ukraine

“There's no room for complacency here,” Rafael Mariano Grossi told the IAEA Board in his opening statement this morning. 

Mr Grossi spoke of his 11th visit to Ukraine since the war began and of his meeting with President Zelenskyy, as well as ongoing consultations with Moscow to support nuclear safety and security at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant.  

“You may have seen by the contents of our report there and the updates that we are producing regularly, how important it is to keep the international community well informed and also for us to provide any assistance that may be needed,” the Director General said.  

“The Agency continues to carry out its activities in full compliance with the United Nations resolutions and the resolutions of this board, and we'll continue to do that,” he added. 

Read more about the IAEA's work in Ukraine here. 

Seawater sampling in Japan

The Director General also raised another key recent trip, this time to Japan to conduct water sampling off the coast of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station.  

“I did this together with scientists from China, Korea and Switzerland as part of additional measures to promote transparency and build trust in the region during the ongoing release of ALPS-treated water from the plant,” he said in his full written statement. 

Speaking directly to the Board, Mr Grossi said: “And I also want to thank China, for the engagement with me, in trying to get to this constructive step that we have taken together.”  

He added that this was “an important activity that shows how our expert, technical approach can overcome difficult situations.” 

Safeguards in Iran

Another important area of discussion was the status of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s nuclear programme.  

“Since our last sessions, I was in Iran. I had important and constructive meetings there,” Mr Grossi said. However, he added that “doubts continue. Clarifications continue to be needed... I hope that we are going to be able to make progress.” 

Key nuclear reports

Mr Grossi then directed the Board’s attention towards the Nuclear Safety Review 2025 and the Nuclear Security Review 2025, which present an analytical overview, global trends and the IAEA’s main activities in these areas. He also flagged the Nuclear Technology Review, which highlights key advancements in nuclear applications and identifies the top priorities for the years ahead.  

Stakeholder engagement

The Director General highlighted two important conferences that will be held at the IAEA this year, the first of which is the IAEA International Conference on Stakeholder Engagement for Nuclear Power Programmes.  In May, representatives from governments and industry will come to Vienna and meet with representatives of communities living close to nuclear power facilities to hear their experiences.  

“This is very important because at this moment of growth and regained interest in nuclear energy, we are giving a voice to those who … have been for decades hosting nuclear facilities,” said Mr Grossi.  

“People talk about nuclear energy and its impact, and I think the ones who know are the ones who are there, and who have been benefiting as communities from nuclear activities on every continent,” he added.  

Artificial Intelligence and nuclear energy

Mr Grossi also drew attention to the IAEA’s International Symposium on Artificial Intelligence and Nuclear Energy, coming at the end of 2025, noting that one of the major challenges facing AI growth is the substantial energy required to support its computational needs. 

He explained that the IAEA could help integrate AI and the nuclear sector, leading to clean energy solutions for AI and the rapid deployment of nuclear power. 

Small modular reactors

The IAEA is continuing its work assisting countries progress towards the safe and secure deployment of small modular reactors (SMRs) through the SMR Nuclear Harmonization and Standardization Initiative (NHSI).  

In addition, the IAEA is also continuing work on Atomic Technology Licensed for Applications at Sea (ATLAS), a new initiative to look at the uses of nuclear energy at sea.   

“I look forward to an increased interest and engagement with countries with ports and international maritime organizations,” said Mr Grossi.  

IAEA flagship initiatives

Mr Grossi then turned to the IAEA’s flagship initiatives, starting with Atoms4Food, a joint FAO/IAEA initiative aimed at boosting global food security. He said about 27 countries had already requested help under the scheme. “I want to thank the countries that have already started manifesting their interest to provide financing for this important project,” the Director General added. 

Rays of Hope: Cancer Care for All is an IAEA initiative to bring life-saving cancer care to countries where there is little access to radiotherapy. Mr Grossi explained that 90 countries, mostly in the developing world, had requested assistance under the scheme.  

And around 100 countries have expressed interest in NUTEC Plastics, the IAEA initiative aimed at monitoring and reducing plastic pollution using nuclear techniques and applications. 

“So all of these are also confirmations of the very concrete, very tangible, not rhetorical ways in which all of us together and this organization help to solve problems around the world,” the Director General said. 

Gender parity

Women at the IAEA now make up half the staff in the professional and higher categories, up from around 30 per cent when Mr Grossi took office in 2019. 

Concluding his address, Mr Grossi said: “This is about giving men and women the exact same opportunities. And so we are an organization that reflects society as it is, and not an artificial bubble where only men work.”