Category: Nuclear Control

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IAEA Releases Nuclear Power Data and Operating Experience for 2023

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

The IAEA publications Nuclear Power Reactors in the World (RDS-2) and Operating Experience with Nuclear Power Stations in Member States (OPEX). (Image: A. Barber Huescar/IAEA)

Newly released nuclear power data for 2023 collected by the IAEA, paint a picture of a clean energy technology at a crossroads amid the emergence of a new global consensus to accelerate its deployment.

Electricity production from nuclear power rose by 2.6 per cent last year compared to 2022, according to the operating data provided by IAEA Member States to the Power Reactor Information System (PRIS) — the IAEA’s comprehensive and publicly available database on nuclear power. Nuclear power continued to generate almost 10 percent of the world’s electricity and a quarter of all low carbon electricity last year, according to the data, which are featured in two newly released annual IAEA publications: Nuclear Power Reactors in the World (RDS-2) and Operating Experience with Nuclear Power Stations in Member States (OPEX).

The USA remained the world’s top producer of nuclear electricity, followed by China and France. China continued to lead in newbuilds, beginning construction on five reactors. Newcomer Egypt started building its second reactor, according to the data, which showed the global fleet operating at nearly full strength with a median capacity factor of 88 per cent. While new grid connections were made at nuclear power plants in Belarus, China, Republic of Korea, Slovakia and the United States of America, reactors were shut down in Belgium, China and Germany.

The 2023 data come against the backdrop of growing global ambitions for nuclear technology amid an aging reactor fleet. More than two-thirds of reactors are at least 30 years old. In December 2023, in the historic first Global Stocktake at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, the 198 signatory countries to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change called for accelerating the deployment of low-emission energy technologies including nuclear power for deep and rapid decarbonization, particularly in hard-to-abate sectors such as industry. In addition, more than 20 countries at COP28 pledged to work towards tripling global nuclear power capacity to reach net zero by 2050.

“IAEA data shows the global fleet of nuclear reactors continues to be a large and indispensable source of low-carbon electricity,” said IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi. “But it’s also clear that we will need to extend the lives of existing reactors, replace retiring facilities with new ones, and add a lot of new capacity so that global climate change and energy security goals can be reached.”

Background

The annual OPEX report  underscores the IAEA’s long-standing commitment as the custodian of the only officially collected and maintained data relating to nuclear power operating experience. As in previous years, the 55th edition of the report includes annual performance data, outage information, and statistical information on electricity production and the overall performance of individual nuclear power plants that were operational in 2023.

Nuclear Power Reactors in the World (RDS-2) is one of the IAEA’s most popular annual publications. It contains a summary of recent specification and performance data on nuclear reactors in IAEA Member States and technical data on reactors that are either planned, under construction, operational or that were shut down or decommissioned.  

Both publications are entirely based on data submitted to IAEA by officially nominated national data providers and maintained in the Power Reactor Information System (PRIS), the world’s only authoritative and most comprehensive database on nuclear power.

Information and data received by the IAEA through 21 June 2024 are included in the 2023 highlights and in the OPEX and RDS-2 publications. Any modifications received at a later date, although not included in these publications, are available in the PRIS Statistics (PRISTA) online application.

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Update 245 – IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

The nuclear safety situation at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) is deteriorating following a drone strike that hit the road around the plant site perimeter today, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said.

“Yet again we see an escalation of the nuclear safety and security dangers facing the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant. I remain extremely concerned and reiterate my call for maximum restraint from all sides and for strict observance of the five concrete principles established for the protection of the plant,” said Director General Grossi.

Earlier today, the IAEA Support and Assistance Mission to Zaporizhzhya (ISAMZ) team was informed by ZNPP that an explosive carried by a drone detonated just outside of the plant’s protected area. The impact site was close to the essential cooling water sprinkler ponds and about 100 metres from the Dniprovska power line, the only remaining 750 kilovolt (kV) line providing a power supply to ZNPP.

The team immediately visited the area and reported that the damage seemed to have been caused by a drone equipped with an explosive payload. There were no casualties and no impact on any NPP equipment. However, there was impact to the road between the two main gates of ZNPP.

The ISAMZ team has reported that military activity in the area – including very close to the plant – has been intense for the last week. The team has heard frequent explosions, repetitive heavy machine gun and rifle fire and artillery at various distances from the plant. There is no sign of the military activity in the vicinity of ZNPP abating, despite Director General Grossi’s repeated calls for restraint.

On 10 August ZNPP informed the IAEA team that artillery struck the local power and water substation in the nearby city Enerhodar, home to most ZNPP staff. The attack caused the failure of two transformers, leading to a citywide power outage. As a result, water had to be supplied using diesel generators. On 11 August the IAEA team was informed by ZNPP that power has been restored in the city.

A significant fire at one of the ZNPP cooling towers earlier this week resulted in considerable damage, although there was no immediate threat to nuclear safety.

Also this week, IAEA teams maintaining the Agency’s continued presence at the Khmelnytskyy, Rivne and South Ukraine NPPs as well as at the Chornobyl site reported frequent air raid alarms and drone attacks.

“Nuclear power plants are designed to be resilient against technical or human failures and external events including extreme ones, but they are not built to withstand a direct military attack, and neither are they supposed to, just as with any other energy facility in the world,” said Director General Grossi. “This latest attack highlights the vulnerability of such facilities in conflict zones and the need to continue monitoring the fragile situation.”

Additionally, this week Director General Grossi continued discussions on the recent events in the territory of the Russian Federation, including the proximity of military action to an important and operating nuclear power plant. Director General Grossi has expressed his readiness to assess the situation, including by making a visit to the plant.

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IAEA Director General Statement on a Water Leakage at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was informed that on 9 August 2024, TEPCO found a water leakage at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station Unit 2, involving an estimated 25 tons of water from the spent fuel cooling system pump room and the heat exchanger room. The leaked water flowed into drain on the floor connected to the water collection pit (floor sump) located in a room of the first basement floor. The Agency was also informed that TEPCO has not found any leakage spread to other rooms at this stage.

As precautionary measure, TEPCO stopped the spent fuel primary cooling pump in order to investigate the cause and evaluated the temperature level at the pool. TEPCO confirmed that the temperature is within normal range and not above around 46 degrees Celsius. This is below the 65 degrees Celsius limitation of operation. The level of accumulated water in the room had stopped rising, and therefore determined that the water leakage had stopped. 

The leaked water was accumulated in the first basement floor as stagnant water. The level of water was lower than the sub-drain water level around the building, which means the leaked water remained inside the building. TEPCO will treat the leaked water through its water treatment facilities.

TEPCO continues to monitor Unit 2 spent fuel pool and water level, and will make an investigation into the leakage and the future countermeasure to decide the repairing plan utilizing a remote control robot.

It is important to highlight that this event is not related to the ALPS treated water discharge. It happened inside the Reactor Building of Unit 2. The Agency was not informed about any breach of the radiation protection standards.

The Director General will continue to keep Member States informed of further developments, as appropriate.

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IAEA Director General Statement in Relation to the Agreement between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States Related to Naval Nuclear Propulsion

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA






IAEA Director General Statement in Relation to the Agreement between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States Related to Naval Nuclear Propulsion | IAEA









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15 Aug 2024

73/2024
Vienna, Austria
  1. The Agency was informed that on 5 August 2024 the Agreement Among the Government of Australia, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the Government of the United States of America for Cooperation Related to Naval Nuclear Propulsion (the “Agreement”) was signed by representatives of the three countries in Washington D.C. and it has been submitted to their legislative authorities for consideration and approval. 
  2. The Agency was also informed that the purpose of this Agreement is to establish a legally-binding framework to facilitate the communication and exchange of naval nuclear propulsion information between and among Australia, the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States of America (US), and the transfer of naval nuclear propulsion plants, nuclear material and equipment from the UK and the US to Australia for conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines, under the enhanced trilateral security partnership ‘AUKUS’.
  3. The Agency notes that the Agreement reiterates the commitment made previously by these countries to set the highest non-proliferation standard in Australia’s acquisition of conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines.
  4. The Agency also notes that, in accordance with this Agreement, Australia is required to only use nuclear material transferred under the Agreement for naval nuclear propulsion, to not enrich or reprocess any nuclear material received, and to be responsible for the management, disposition, storage and disposal of any spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste resulting from naval nuclear propulsion plants that are transferred to Australia.
  5. The Agency wishes to recall that cooperation under the Agreement requires the application of Australia’s CSA, AP and the Article 14 arrangement to be negotiated by Australia with the IAEA pursuant to the CSA and that Australia has to have in place the Article 14 arrangement and any necessary implementing mechanisms prior to the UK or the US transferring any nuclear material to Australia for naval nuclear propulsion.
  6. The Agreement also requires Australia to collaborate with the other parties on measures to be developed with the IAEA to support the IAEA’s ability to implement Australia’s CSA, AP and the Article 14 arrangement in order to meet its objectives with respect to nuclear material and equipment to be transferred under this Agreement and to continue to verify that there is no diversion of declared nuclear material, no misuse of declared nuclear facilities, and no undeclared nuclear material or activity in Australia. The Agreement also includes the commitment of the parties to ensure that Australia can provide the IAEA with information and access necessary to fulfil its obligations, while ensuring the protection of classified information related to naval nuclear propulsion.
  7. Australia has provided to the Agency updated declarations under the AP which reflect this development. 
  8. As previously reported, the IAEA recalls that the bilateral consultations underway with Australia on the structure and content of the Article 14 arrangement continue to be guided by the Statute and Australia’s CSA and AP. As part of these consultations, the Agency is discussing with Australia technical aspects and modalities to facilitate possible verification and monitoring activities by the Agency, as well as the implementation of voluntary transparency measures, in relations to Australia’s naval nuclear propulsion programme.
  9. The Director General will continue to keep the Board of Governors informed of further developments, as appropriate.

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Gemstone Irradiation: Keeping Workers and Consumers Safe

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

Rough gemstones can be irradiated at various stages of cutting, from completely uncut ones to cut and polished ones, which are ready for mounting on a necklace, for example. Typically, the gemstone wholesaler  arranges for irradiation to achieve the desired colour enhancement. The gemstones are then kept for a period of time at the irradiation facility until the radioactivity has naturally decayed to safe levels, as specified in the IAEA International Basic Safety Standards or by the national regulatory body.

If there is no adequate regulatory oversight, the irradiated gemstones can potentially result in relatively large radiation doses, which can impact primarily the skin, with the possibility of skin burns. Therefore, regulatory oversight is vital to ensure that gemstones are carefully handled and prepared for purchase by following regulatory processes and guidance for irradiated gemstones

If a country chooses toproduce and trade irradiated gemstones, the IAEA advises the country to use IAEA safety standards, which describe how an effective quality assurance and verification programme should be established and implemented by the irradiation facility. This is aimed to ensure that gemstones with activity concentrations above regulatory limits are not provided to the public directly after irradiation, to wait until it decreases and to ensure that specific batches of gemstones are traceable. Methods include batch labelling, assessment of activity concentrations of specific radionuclides, calculation of decay and release times, and secure storage arrangements and release criteria.

“Ensuring the safety of consumer products that utilize or emit radiation for their functional operation is a regulatory requirement. As regulators, it is essential that we stay ahead of what is happening in the industry, anticipating challenges, and developing robust frameworks that not only react to current risks but also anticipate future ones,” said Igor Gusev, Senior Expert at the Saudi Arabia’s Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Commission. “Our goal is not merely to manage radiation safety but to define and embody best practices that ensure the safest possible use of these technologies”.

The IAEA guide on Radiation Safety for Consumer Products, co-sponsored by the Nuclear Energy Agency of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), assists countries in the safe manufacture and supply of gemstones and other consumer products that contain radioactive materials, like ionization chamber smoke detectors, tungsten welding electrodes and high-intensity discharge lamps, in line with the IAEA General Safety Requirements. This allows countries to maintain an adequate level of control, prevent the sale of consumer products produced in practices that are not justified, while not unnecessarily obstructing the sale of consumer products produced in justified practices.

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Update 244 – IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) viewed evidence provided to the team today that continues to indicate that Monday’s fire did not start at the base of the cooling tower, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said.

Following its visit to the impact site yesterday, the IAEA Support and Assistance Mission to Zaporizhzhya (ISAMZ) team returned today to cooling tower 1. Due to safety reasons, the team observed from ground level as ZNPP staff filmed and photographed the fire damage to the interior of the tower from the water nozzle distribution level, which is approximately 10 meters high. The photographs and video footage were shown immediately to the team.

The ISAMZ team was later provided with copies of the photos and footage which confirm extensive damage to the internal components at the water nozzle distribution level.

“The evidence gathered reinforces our conclusion that the main fire seems unlikely to be at the base of the cooling tower,” Director General Grossi said.

From the photos and footage of the cooling tower’s interior, the team identified debris consistent with a significant fire and observed dark scorch marks across the interior of the concrete walls rising from the water nozzle distribution level. No foreign objects or materials were visible.

The ZNPP has informed the team that the impact of the fire on the structural integrity of cooling tower 1 needs to be assessed and that there may be a need to dismantle it.

The team has requested access to the second of the two cooling towers at the plant in order to see inside the structure and identify similar materials and specifications which may have been present in cooling tower 1 prior to the fire.

During its walkdown and just after requesting access to cooling tower 2, the ISAMZ team was promptly accompanied back to a secure location due to an air raid alarm.  

“Obtaining access to the water nozzle distribution level would be important for the team to obtain a better understanding of the events and other relevant circumstances. The Agency will continue to request this as part of our role to monitor compliance with the five concrete principles for the protection of the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant”, said Director General Grossi.

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Update 243 – IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) experts at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) today visited the plant’s cooling towers to observe the impact of yesterday’s fire.

Following its request to immediately assess the impact of the fire, the IAEA Support and Assistance Mission to Zaporizhzhya (ISAMZ) accessed the cooling tower area this morning. Based on the observations, the team assessed that it was unlikely that the primary source of the fire began at the base of the cooling tower, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said.

During the team’s visit to the cooling tower, it determined that the damage was most likely concentrated on the interior of the tower at the water nozzle distribution level, located at roughly ten metres high. The team has requested access to the water nozzle distribution level. It could observe the bottom of the water nozzle distribution level from the concrete foundation columns. The team could also see down into the cold-water basin, which is the base of the cooling tower, and has requested to access it as well. The team was not permitted to access these two locations during today’s walkdown for safety concerns.

Whilst visiting the impacted cooling tower, the team observed burnt areas in the internal equipment higher up, near the water nozzle distribution level. They also observed droplets of burnt plastic and fragments of fallen concrete distributed across the cold-water basin. The team assessed that these droplets were consistent with melted and fallen plastic mesh from the fire. Samples of the debris, including burnt and molten plastic, were collected. The lingering odour from the fire was assessed by the team and determined that in the absence of a sulphur smell, was more likely caused from burning plastic.

Neither tyre nor drone remains were observed during the walkdown.

The team confirmed that there were no significant signs of disturbance of the debris, ash or soot located at the base of the cooling tower.

The nuclear safety of the plant was not affected, as the cooling towers are not currently in operation. The cooling towers are not required as part of the cooling mechanism for the reactors, which are all in a state of cold shutdown.  No radioactive material is present in the area of the cooling towers, which is located approximately 1.5 kilometres from the reactor units at ZNPP. The team conducted radiation monitoring in the area of the cooling towers and the reactors and confirmed no signs of elevated radiation levels.

To gather additional information and verify the authenticity of the evidence, the ISAMZ team has requested to accompany ZNPP staff when they photograph the upper part of the water nozzle distribution level.

The team has not been able to draw definitive conclusions on the basis of the findings and observations so far. The IAEA will continue its overall analysis after additional review and access to the water nozzle distribution level and the cold-water basin.

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First Ever International Nuclear Science Olympiad Held in Run Up to International Youth Day

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

The first International Nuclear Science Olympiad (INSO) was held form 1-6 August 2024 in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines and welcomed 55 contenders, 27 team leaders and 14 observers from 20 Asian countries. (Photo: Mark Miranda Studios)

The first ever International Nuclear Science Olympiad has been held in the Philippines in the run up to today’s International Youth Day, with the support of the IAEA. 

The world’s most talented science students have been competing at these international competitions since the first International Mathematical Olympiad was held in Romania in 1959.  

Since then, Olympiads have been launched in a further 11 subjects, including physics, chemistry, biology and astrophysics.  

Nuclear science is the latest addition to the list and this inaugural event involved 55 high school students from 14 Asian countries, with more countries around the world expected to join as the competition grows. The next International Nuclear Science Olympiad will be held in 2025 in Malaysia. 

“This International Nuclear Science Olympiad is more than just a test of knowledge; it is a platform for exchanging ideas, forging friendships and inspiring the next generation of nuclear scientists and engineers,” said Renato Solidum Jr., Secretary of the Philippine Department of Science and Technology, during the opening ceremony. 

Students from Bahrain, Iran, Jordan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Oman, Pakistan, the Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates travelled to Clark, Pampanga in the Philippines in August to participate. Each participating country was represented by up to four students, pre-selected through national competitions and other competitive processes. Prior to joining the international Olympiad, the students attended local training camps in their home countries to hone their technical skills. Representatives from China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea and the Syrian Arab Republic attended as observers. 

The competition was organized under the umbrella of an ongoing IAEA education project for which the Philippines is the lead country. The project is designed to promote interest in the nuclear field among secondary school students in Asia and the Pacific. It is one of the many IAEA initiatives aimed at attracting the next generation of young scientists and engineers to the nuclear field, in Asia and beyond.  

“The International Nuclear Science Olympiad is a testament to the importance of investing in the next generation of scientists, engineers and thinkers. It is a platform for students to showcase their talents, exchange ideas and inspire one another. It is also a reminder of the collaborative spirit that is essential to scientific progress,” said Marina Mishar, Section Head of the IAEA’s Technical Cooperation Division for Asia and the Pacific. 

In addition to theoretical and experimental competitions, the students also visited two nuclear facilities in the Philippines. These included the non-operational Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, completed but put on hold in the 1980s. The students also visited the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute which houses a research reactor for training, education and research. 

The Olympiad concluded with an awards ceremony, where eight gold, thirteen silver and sixteen bronze medals were presented.  

Gold medal awardee Neil Kyle Olaer Maniquis said: “Despite the long and tiring preparations, my experience was amazing because I was exposed to the beauty of nuclear science and its contributions to agriculture, medicine and more. Most people are unaware of the benefits of nuclear science. With my experience at the International Nuclear Science Olympiad, I’m eager to share with everyone just how incredible nuclear science is.” 

Caleb Chia, another gold medal awardee agreed: “INSO 2024 reaffirmed my interest in physics and ignited my curiosity in nuclear. It was not a topic that was usually learned at my age, but it was great to be aware of what’s possible in nuclear science.” 

The competitive part of the first Nuclear Science Olympiad included theoretical and experimental exams totalling 8.5 hours. The questions demanded a depth of knowledge and understanding of nuclear science on par with post-secondary education standards. (Photo: Mark Miranda Studios)

Mohammad Nur Casib from the Philippines emerged as the top overall scorer and was presented with the title of ‘Nuclear Science Olympiad Ambassador’. As such, Casib will play a crucial role in promoting the understanding and appreciation of nuclear science among students, educators, and the public. He will serve as a mentor and guide to future participants, helping to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers. In addition, he received a special award for achieving the highest score in the theoretical examination.  

Singapore’s Tran Doan Duy Phuc also received a special award for achieving the highest score in the experimental component of the examinations. 

International Youth Day is celebrated worldwide each year on August 12, to recognize the potential of young people as active partners in today’s global society.  This potential is particularly valued in the nuclear field, where there is huge demand for the next generation of scientists and engineers.  

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Update 242 – IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) experts at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) witnessed thick dark smoke coming from the north-western area of the plant, after hearing multiple explosions throughout the evening. The team was informed that an alleged drone attack on one of the plant’s cooling towers took place today. There is no impact on nuclear safety, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi confirmed.

The IAEA team reported hearing an explosion today at the same time the ZNPP informed them that a drone had allegedly struck one of the plant’s two cooling towers.

In order to ascertain the extent and possible cause of this event, the IAEA Support and Assistance Mission to Zaporizhzhya (ISAMZ) is requesting immediate access to the cooling tower to assess the damage.

ZNPP has two cooling towers located at the northern side of the cooling pond, outside of the ZNPP perimeter. Cooling towers are used during power operation of the plant. Their damage does not directly impact the safety of the six units in shutdown. However, any kind of fire on the site or in its vicinity represents a risk of spreading the fire also to facilities essential for safety.

The plant confirmed to the team that there is no risk of elevated radiation levels as there is no radioactive material in the vicinity of the alleged attack area. The team independently verified the radiation levels and confirmed it remained unchanged.

IAEA Director General Grossi reiterated that any military action taken against the plant represents a clear violation of the five concrete principles for protecting the facility, which were established at the United Nations Security Council in May last year.

“These reckless attacks endanger nuclear safety at the plant and increase the risk of a nuclear accident. They must stop now,” said Director General Grossi.

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IAEA Director General Statement on Developments in the Russian Federation

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

The IAEA has been monitoring the situation on the reported military activities taking place in the vicinity of the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant (NPP).

This NPP has six units of two different reactor types: RBMK-1000 and VVER-510. Two of the RBMK-1000 are in shutdown and two are fully operational. The two VVER-510 units are under construction.

In view of the reportedly significant military activity, I wish to remind all parties of the seven indispensable pillars for ensuring nuclear safety and security during an armed conflict. Additionally, I emphasize the five concrete principles to help to ensure nuclear safety and security which have been established for the Zaporizhzhya NPP in the context of the current conflict between the Russian Federation and Ukraine, and which are equally applicable in this situation. These include, among others, the imperative to ensure the physical integrity of a nuclear power plant. This is valid irrespective of where an NPP is situated.

At this juncture, I would like to appeal to all sides to exercise maximum restraint in order to avoid a nuclear accident with the potential for serious radiological consequences. I am personally in contact with the relevant authorities of both countries and will continue to be seized of the matter. I will continue to update the international community as appropriate.