"Greatest Nuclear risks in decades": warns UN General Assembly President

New York: In remarks at a plenary meeting on International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Report, UN General Assembly President Csaba Korosi has warned that the world is facing risks of nuclear proliferation and nuclear catastrophe not seen in decades.

"International events last year had a substantial impact on the work of the IAEA. Grave developments have been compelling it to respond to a whole new set of adverse circumstances", he said.

The conflict in Ukraine has heightened these concerns and sparked a global energy crisis, sending prices soaring. The IAEA strives to meet the demands of this moment with expert resolve to bring about nuclear safety and stability in this time of interlocking crises, he added.

Korosi noted that an IAEA mission in Ukraine, is working around the clock to ensure the safety and security of the nuclear power plant in Zaporizhzhia, the largest in Europe to prevent a potential nuclear disaster.

"We simply cannot allow nuclear safety in Ukraine and beyond to be jeopardised," he said adding that IAEA experts are in a unique position to provide up-to-date and credible information from the ground.

He pointed out that concerns over nuclear energy are not limited to one region and any moves to erode nuclear non-proliferation regimes are very dangerous and constitute a major threat to peace and security.

Korosi urged all parties to cooperate fully with the IAEA to ensure nuclear safety, and reiterated the importance of impartial, factual information that the agency provides about nuclear issues.

"As more countries turn to nuclear energy to meet their needs, especially when faced with drastic energy shortages, the IAEA's responsibility to ensure that nuclear technologies are safe, secure and peacefully used has only grown", Korosi added.

IANS with inputs