UK Deputy Representative Nicola Murray gave a statement
on behalf of Australia, the UK and the US about AUKUS safeguards
under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Statement made by the UK on behalf of AUKUS partners under agenda
item 9: transfer of the nuclear materials in the context of AUKUS
and its safeguards in all aspects under the Nuclear
Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT):
Chair, I take the floor on behalf of Australia, the United
Kingdom, and the United States to respond to comments made
regarding Australia’s acquisition of naval nuclear propulsion
technology.
In response to the inclusion of this politically-motivated,
artificial and unnecessary agenda item, we refer Board members to
our note verbale dated 28 February. We regret that we must
continue to clarify for the record that the item proposed does
not, and has never, enjoyed consensus support and is not a
standing agenda item.
In order to support the Board’s efforts to dedicate its limited
time to address genuinely pressing issues, we have not taken
procedural action against the addition of this agenda item. But
to be clear, in common with many other Board members, that does
not mean we support it.
As we have done at previous Board meetings, an update will be provided on
Australia’s naval nuclear propulsion programme under Any
Other Business. Regrettably though, we must again invoke our
Right of Reply to address some of the misleading assertions made
today.
We continue to engage consistently, openly and transparently with
member states. Unfortunately, attempts at genuine discussion of
this issue continue to be subject to persistent attempts designed
to sow mistrust in the Agency or undermine its independent
mandate. As one delegation stated yesterday, it is important that
the Secretariat’s cooperation with certain member states not be
politicised.
Chair, the Director General has already provided clear answers to
questions raised today and in previous meetings:
- first, the Agency already has “the necessary experience to
develop the arrangements related to the use of nuclear material
for naval nuclear propulsion in accordance with the Statute and
relevant safeguards agreements”
- second, the nuclear material transferred to Australia will
remain subject to IAEA monitoring,
in accordance with Australia’s CSA and
Additional Protocol
- third, Australia’s Article 14 arrangement will allow the
Agency to continue to fulfil the technical safeguards objectives
established for Australia
- fourth, the Board has already authorized the Director General
to conclude and implement Comprehensive Safeguards Agreements on
the basis of INFCIRC/153, which provides for the establishment of
Article 14 arrangements.
- fifth, for any CSA state
acquiring naval nuclear propulsion technology, the Director
General will transmit the Article 14 arrangement to the Board for
‘appropriate action’. To suggest that the Board will somehow be
bypassed is categorically false
Chair, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States –
along with the majority of the Board – continue to oppose
proposals for standing agenda items, parallel processes, or any
other efforts that undermine and politicise the independent
technical mandate of the IAEA. We reject any
suggestion that the Agency does not have a mandate to engage
bilaterally with member states on issues relevant to the
implementation of safeguards. The majority of member states that
have voiced an opinion have been clear that there is no need for
this agenda item.
We welcome constructive Board discussions on NNP on the basis of
reports by the Director General, under apolitical agenda items.
Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States have
provided updates on our ongoing engagement with
the IAEA at Board
meetings since the initial AUKUS announcement
in September 2021.
We will continue to engage in good faith with member states on
genuine questions, consistent with our approach to maintaining
open and transparent engagement, and welcome the Director
General’s continued commitment to provide updates on naval
nuclear propulsion, as he deems appropriate. Thank you, Chair.
