Statement of the Republic of Armenia at the 69th Regular Session of the IAEA General Conference as delivered by H.E. Mr. Andranik Hovhannisyan, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Armenia

18 September, 2025

Mr. President,

Director General,

Excellences,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

At the outset, I would like to warmly congratulate the President of the Conference and the members of the General Committee upon their election and assure my delegation’s full support and cooperation.

Esteemed Delegates,

Armenia recognizes the IAEA’s central role in promoting safe, secure and peaceful use of nuclear technologies, as well as in ensuring robust and sustainable framework for nuclear safety, security and safeguards. Emphasizing that responsibility for nuclear safety and security primarily rests with the States, Armenia acknowledges the Agency’s indispensable role in supporting Member States to develop and maintain national capacities and competences in this field.

Over the past 30 years, my country has enjoyed growing partnership with the IAEA in all its pillars. However, at the heart of Armenia’s cooperation with the IAEA lies nuclear energy. The safe and secure operation of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant (ANPP) is a strategic priority for the Government of Armenia. It plays a central role in ensuring our energy security, advancing the implementation of our NDCs under Paris Agreement and sustaining the growth of the national economy.

Armenia is committed to upholding the IAEA’s standards on nuclear safety and security and to their continuous enhancement. Under our obligations to the Convention on Nuclear Safety (CNS) and guided by the principles of the Vienna Declaration, we regularly conduct comprehensive safety assessments, implement safety upgrades in the ANPP, and update our national regulatory framework.

Recognizing the exclusive expertise of the Agency in assessing nuclear safety, Armenia consistently hosts IAEA peer reviews, advisory services, and follow-up missions, addressing their findings in a timely and transparent manner.

I am pleased to note that no incidents related to nuclear or radiation safety have occurred throughout the operational history of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant. We are also proud that the Agency is able to regularly draw comprehensive safeguards conclusion for Armenia on an annual basis.

We attach great importance to nuclear security. Armenia fully implements its international obligations under relevant Conventions and the 1540 Resolution and, with the assistance of the IAEA and partner countries, has developed a robust nuclear security regime and enhanced its nuclear security culture.

Building on this strong foundation, Armenia has launched a program to extend the operational lifetime of the second power unit of the ANPP until 2036. Armenia is committed to carrying out all necessary measures within the established timeframe. Recently, we hosted an IAEA expert mission on ageing management and look forward to the upcoming SALTO Peer Review Mission. We gratefully acknowledge the IAEA’s guidance, as well as the support of partner countries in this endeavor.

This extension will ensure a smooth and secure transition toward a new nuclear power unit, which is Armenia’s ultimate objective. We are actively studying the feasibility of new nuclear construction, assessing existing technologies, and engaging in technical discussions with interested partners.

Mr. President,

Another important area of fruitful cooperation between Armenia and the IAEA is cancer care. We thank the Agency for continued support to the National Centre of Oncology. We also extend our sincere appreciation to the IAEA for the expert mission conducted last week to assess national capacities in the education and training of health professionals in radiation oncology, medical imaging, and medical physics.

In this regard, we underscore the essential role of the Technical Cooperation Program as a key mechanism for delivering nuclear knowledge and technology, and for supporting Member States in addressing pressing national and global challenges. Armenia further highlights the recent initiatives of the Director General aimed at leveraging nuclear science and technology to advance the Sustainable Development Goals.

Ladies and gentlemen,

As a dedicated advocate for non-proliferation, Armenia reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). Armenia reaffirms the inalienable right of all NPT States Parties to develop, research, produce and use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes without discrimination and in conformity with the Treaty. We also underscore the indivisibility of non-proliferation and the full compliance with all obligations under the NPT and the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement.

Furthermore, Armenia reiterates its principled position regarding the inadmissibility of armed attacks or threats of attacks against nuclear facilities in accordance with the relevant resolutions and decisions of the IAEA General Conferences. We call upon all IAEA Member States to remain vigilant about the potentially catastrophic risks posed by any nuclear incident to the human life and the environment, as well as to the integrity of the IAEA safeguards.

We call upon all States to act in accordance with these principles and to promote peaceful uses of nuclear energy within the framework of the NPT.

Thank you.

MFA RA
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