Resolution 56/94
(December 14, 2001)
The General Assembly,
Having received the report of the International
Atomic Energy Agency for the year 2000,1
Taking note of the statement of the Director
General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, 2 in which he provided additional information on the main developments
in the activities of the Agency during 2001,
Recognizing the importance of the work of the
Agency in promoting the further application of nuclear energy for peaceful
purposes as envisaged in the statute of the Agency and in accordance
with the inalienable right of States parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation
of Nuclear Weapons United Nations, 3 and other relevant internationally legally binding agreements that have
concluded relevant safeguards agreements with the Agency to develop
research, production and use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes
without discrimination and in conformity with articles I and II and
other relevant articles of the Treaty, and with the objectives and purposes
thereof,
Conscious of the importance of the safeguards
system of the Agency and of the importance of the work of the Agency
in the implementation of the safeguards provisions of the Treaty on
the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and other international treaties,
conventions and agreements designed to achieve similar objectives, as
well as in ensuring, as far as it is able, that the assistance provided
by the Agency or at its request or under its supervision or control
is not used in such a way as to further any military purpose, as stated
in article II of its statute,
Reaffirming that the Agency is the competent
authority responsible for verifying and assuring, in accordance with
the statute and the safeguards system of the Agency, compliance with
its safeguards agreements with States parties undertaken in fulfilment
of their obligations under article III, paragraph 1, of the Treaty on
the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, with a view to preventing
diversion of nuclear energy from peaceful uses to nuclear weapons or
other nuclear explosive devices, and also reaffirming that nothing should
be done to undermine the authority of the Agency in this regard and
that States parties that have concerns regarding non-compliance with
the safeguards agreement of the Treaty by the States parties should
direct such concerns, along with supporting evidence and information,
to the Agency to consider, investigate, draw conclusions and decide
on necessary actions in accordance with its mandate,
Stressing the need for the highest standards
of safety in the design and operation of nuclear installations and in
peaceful nuclear activities so as to minimize risks to life, health
and the environment, and recognizing that a good safety record relies
on good technology, good regulatory practices and well-qualified and
trained staff, as well as international cooperation,
Noting that a demonstrated global record of
safety is a key element for the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and
that continuous efforts are necessary to ensure that the human and technical
elements of safety are maintained at the optimal level, and also noting
that, although safety is a national responsibility, international cooperation
on safety-related matters is indispensable,
Considering that an expansion of technical cooperation
activities relating to the peaceful uses of nuclear energy will contribute
to the well-being of the peoples of the world, recognizing the special
needs of the developing countries for technical assistance from the
Agency and the importance of funding in order to benefit effectively
from the transfer and application of nuclear technology for peaceful
purposes as well as from the contribution of nuclear energy to their
economic development, and desiring that the resources of the Agency
for technical cooperation activities be assured, predictable and sufficient
to meet the objectives mandated in article II of its statute,
Conscious that the work done by the Agency in
the field of nuclear sciences and applications in the non-power sector
contributes to sustainable development, especially with programmes aimed
at enhancing agricultural productivity and food security, improving
human health, increasing the availability of drinking water supplies
and protecting the terrestrial and marine environment,
Recognizing the importance of the work of the
Agency on nuclear power, the fuel cycle and nuclear science, nuclear
techniques for development and environmental protection and nuclear
safety and protection against radiation, including its work directed
towards assisting developing countries in all these fields,
Welcoming the convening of the fourth Scientific
Forum, on the theme "Serving human needs: nuclear technology for
sustainable development", during the forty-fifth regular session
of the General Conference of the Agency,
Taking note of the report of the Director General
to the General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency
on the implementation of Security Council resolutions relating to Iraq, 4of his reports to the Security Council
of 10 December 1999 5 and 11 October
2000, 6 of 9 January, 7 12 February, 8 6 April 9 and 5 October 2001, 10 and of resolution
GC(45)/RES/17 of 21 September 2001 of the General Conference, 11
Taking note also of resolution GC(45)/RES/16
in connection with the implementation of the Agreement between the Government
of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the International Atomic
Energy Agency for the application of safeguards in connection with the
Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, 12 the statements by the President of the Security Council of 31 March, 13 30 May 14 and 4 November 1994 15 and the authorization
of the Board of Governors, on 11 November 1994, to the Director General,
to carry out all the tasks requested of the Agency in the statement
by the President of the Security Council of 4 November 1994, noting
recent political developments in north-east Asia, and expressing the
hope that they will open the way to progress towards full implementation
of the relevant agreements,
Taking note further of resolutions GC(45)/RES/10A
on measures to strengthen international cooperation in nuclear, radiation
and waste safety, GC(45)/RES/10B on transport safety, GC(45)/RES/10C
on education and training, GC(45)/RES/11 on the strengthening of the
technical cooperation activities of the Agency, GC(45)/RES/12A on the
plan for producing potable water economically using small and medium-sized
nuclear reactors, GC(45)/RES/12B on the use of isotope hydrology for
water resources management, GC(45)/RES/12C on servicing immediate human
needs, GC(45)/RES/12D on support to the Pan African Tsetse and Trypanosomiasis
Eradication Campaign of the Organization of African Unity, GC(45)/RES/12E
on drought in Central America, GC(45)/RES/12F on Agency activities in
the development of innovative nuclear technology, GC(45)/RES/13 on strengthening
the effectiveness and improving the efficiency of the safeguards system
and the application of the Model Additional Protocol, GC(45)/RES/14A
on measures against illicit trafficking in nuclear materials and other
radioactive materials, GC(45)/RES/14B on the physical protection of
nuclear material and nuclear facilities and GC(45)/RES/18 on the application
of Agency safeguards in the Middle East, adopted on 21 September 2001
by the General Conference of the Agency at its forty-fifth regular session,
Taking note of resolution GC(45)/RES/15A on
the staffing of the secretariat of the Agency, in which the General
Conference called on developing and under-represented member States
to encourage well-qualified candidates to apply for vacant posts in
the Agency, and considering the related resolution GC(45)/RES/15B on
women in the secretariat, in which the General Conference called on
the Director General to make every effort to rectify the present gender
imbalance,
Recalling resolution GC(43)/RES/19 on the amendment
to article VI of the statute and the statement by the President of the
forty-third regular session of the General Conference of the Agency
with respect to article VI, adopted on 1 October 1999 by the General
Conference,
Taking note of the statement by the President
of the forty-fifth regular session of the General Conference of the
Agency, that:
"During the Conference, widespread condolences
were expressed to the victims and their families as well as to the Government
of the United States of America for the terrorist attacks that took
place on 11 September 2001 in New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania.
The delegates were unequivocal in their condemnation of these terrorists
acts. As called for in General Assembly resolution 56/1 and Security
Council resolution 1368 (2001), the urgent need to work together to
bring to justice the perpetrators, organizers and sponsors of these
terrorist attacks and to hold accountable those responsible for aiding,
supporting or harbouring the perpetrators, organizers and sponsors of
these acts was supported. With particular regard to the Agency's mandate,
the Conference expressed its concern about the possible impact of terrorism
on the security of nuclear material and other radioactive materials.
In this regard, the Conference requested the Director General to review
thoroughly the activities and programmes of the Agency with a view to
strengthening the Agency work relevant to preventing acts of terrorism
involving nuclear materials and other radioactive materials. It further
urged all member States to cooperate fully with the Director General
and to support the Agency's efforts in this regard",
Taking note also of the statement by the President
of the forty-fifth regular session of the General Conference of the
Agency, which was endorsed by the General Conference at its tenth plenary
meeting and issued under the item concerning Israeli nuclear capabilities
and threat, that:
"The General Conference recalls the statement
by the President of the thirty-sixth session in 1992 concerning the
item entitled 'Israeli nuclear capabilities and threat'. That statement
considered it desirable not to consider that item at the thirty-seventh
session. The General Conference also recalls the statement by the
President of the forty-third session, in 1999, concerning the same
agenda item. At the forty-fourth and forty-fifth sessions, the item
was, at the request of certain member States, included again in the
agenda. The item was discussed. The President notes that certain member
States intend to include the item in the provisional agenda of the
forty-sixth regular session of the General Conference",
Noting with appreciation that the General Conference,
in resolution GC(45)/RES/3, approved the appointment of Mr. Mohamed
ElBaradei as the Director General until 30 November 2005,
1. Takes note of the report of the International
Atomic Energy Agency;1
2. Affirms its confidence in the role of the
Agency in the application of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes;
3. Encourages all States members of the Agency
that have not yet done so to ratify the amendment to article VI of the
statute of the Agency, recalling the adoption by the General Conference
of the Agency of resolution GC(43)/RES/19 on the amendment to article
VI of the statute and the accompanying statement by the President of
the forty-third regular session of the General Conference;
4. Also encourages all States members of the
Agency that have not yet done so to ratify the amendment of article
XIV.A of the statute of the Agency, recalling the adoption by the General
Conference of the Agency of resolution GC(43)/RES/8 on the amendment
of article XIV.A of the statute, which will provide for biennial budgeting
by the Agency;
5. Consistent with the respective safeguards
undertakings of member States and bearing in mind the importance of
achieving the universal application of the safeguards system of the
Agency, urges all States which have yet to bring into force comprehensive
safeguards agreements to do so as soon as possible, affirms that measures
to strengthen the effectiveness and improve the efficiency of the safeguards
system with a view to detecting undeclared nuclear material and activities
must be implemented rapidly and universally by all concerned States
and other parties in compliance with their respective international
commitments, stresses the importance of the safeguards system of the
Agency, including comprehensive safeguards agreements and the Model
Additional Protocol, which are among the essential elements of the system,
requests all concerned States and other parties to safeguards agreements
which have not yet done so promptly to sign additional protocols, requests
the States and other parties to safeguards agreements having signed
additional protocols to take the necessary measures to bring them into
force as soon as their national legislation allows, and recommends that
the Director General, the Board of Governors and member States continue
to consider implementing the elements of the plan of action outlined
in resolution GC(44)/RES/19, as appropriate and subject to available
resources, with the aim of facilitating the entry into force of safeguards
agreements and additional protocols and review the progress in this
regard, and notes the important work being undertaken by the Agency,
on an ongoing priority basis, in the conceptualization and development
of integrated and cost-effective safeguards;
6. Urges all States to strive for effective
and harmonious international cooperation in carrying out the work of
the Agency, pursuant to its statute, in promoting the use of nuclear
energy and the application of the necessary measures to strengthen further
the safety of nuclear installations and to minimize risks to life, health
and the environment, in strengthening technical assistance and cooperation
for developing countries and in ensuring the effectiveness and efficiency
of the safeguards system of the Agency;
7. Recalls resolution GC(45)/RES/12F on the
activities of the Agency in the development of innovative nuclear technology,
emphasizes the unique role that the Agency can play in developing user
requirements and in addressing safeguards, safety and environmental
questions for innovative reactors and their fuel cycles, within available
extrabudgetary resources, and stresses the need for international collaboration
in the development of innovative nuclear technology;
8. Stresses the need, in conformity with the
statute of the Agency, to continue to pursue activities in the areas
of nuclear science, technology and applications for meeting the basic
sustainable development needs of member States, and also stresses the
need to strengthen technical cooperation activities, including the provision
of sufficient resources, and to enhance continually the effectiveness
and efficiency of the programmes;
9. Recalls resolution GC(45)/RES/11 on the strengthening
of the technical cooperation activities of the Agency, welcomes the
measures and decisions taken by the Agency to strengthen and fund its
technical cooperation activities, which should contribute to achieving
sustainable development in developing countries, and calls upon States
to cooperate in contributing to and in implementing the measures and
decisions pursuant thereto;
10. Reaffirms the importance of all the measures
contained in resolution GC(45)/RES/18 on the application of Agency safeguards
in the Middle East, and calls upon all States in the region to implement
all the provisions contained therein, including the application of full-scope
Agency safeguards to all their nuclear activities, adherence to international
non-proliferation regimes and the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free
zone in the region;
11. Commends the Director General and the secretariat
of the Agency for their continuing, impartial efforts to implement the
safeguards agreement still in force between the Agency and the Democratic
People's Republic of Korea, recognizes the important role of the Agency
in monitoring the freeze of nuclear facilities in that country as requested
by the Security Council, notes with continuing concern that, although
the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is a party to the Treaty on
the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, the Agency continues to be
unable to verify the accuracy and completeness of the initial declaration
of nuclear material it made and is therefore unable to conclude that
there has been no diversion of nuclear material in the Democratic People's
Republic of Korea, expresses deep concern about the continuing non-compliance
of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea with the safeguards agreement
between that country and the Agency, again urges the Democratic People's
Republic of Korea to comply fully with its safeguards agreement, including
all steps the Agency deems necessary to preserve all information relevant
to verifying the accuracy and completeness of its initial declaration,
and strongly encourages the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to
respond positively and at an early date to the detailed proposal of
the Agency for the first concrete steps needed for the implementation
of the generic requirements for the verification of the accuracy and
completeness of its initial declaration;
12. Also commends the Director General of the
Agency and his staff for their strenuous efforts to implement Security
Council resolutions 687 (1991) of 3 April 1991, 707 (1991) of 15 August
1991, 715 (1991) of 11 October 1991, 1051 (1996) of 27 March 1996, 1060
(1996) of 12 June 1996, 1115 (1997) of 21 June 1997, 1154 (1998) of
2 March 1998, 1194 (1998) of 9 September 1998, 1205 (1998) of 5 November
1998 and 1284 (1999) of 17 December 1999, and calls upon Iraq to implement
in full all relevant Security Council resolutions, including resolution
1284 (1999), and in this regard to cooperate fully with the Agency and
to provide the necessary access to enable it to carry out its mandate;
13. Welcomes the entry into force on 24 October
1996 of the Convention on Nuclear Safety, 16 appeals to all States, particularly those operating, constructing, or
planning nuclear power reactors, which have not yet taken the necessary
steps to become parties to the Convention to do so, and looks forward
to the second review meeting, due to take place in April 2002, expecting
safety improvements in all areas, particularly in areas where the first
review meeting found that there was room for improvement;
14. Notes with satisfaction that the Joint Convention
on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive
Waste Management 17 entered into force
on 18 June 2001, and appeals to all States which have not yet taken
the necessary steps to become parties to it to do so in time to attend
the first review meeting of the contracting parties;
15. Recalls resolution GC(45)/RES/10B on transport
safety, and urges States to ensure that their national regulatory documents
governing the transport of radioactive material are in conformity with
the latest edition of the Agency's Transport Regulations;
16. Welcomes the measures taken by the Agency
in support of efforts to prevent illicit trafficking in nuclear materials
and other radioactive materials, and in this context decides to bear
in mind, in its continued elaboration of an international convention
on the suppression of acts of nuclear terrorism, those activities of
the Agency, and urges all States to cooperate fully with the Director
General and to support the efforts of the Agency in reviewing thoroughly
the activities and programmes of the Agency with a view to strengthening
its work relevant to preventing acts of terrorism involving nuclear
materials and other radioactive materials;
17. Appeals to States that have not yet done
so to accede to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear
Material, 18 also appeals to States
to apply relevant physical protection recommendations and introduce
and enforce appropriate measures and legislation to combat illicit trafficking
in nuclear materials and other radioactive materials, welcomes the endorsement
of the Physical Protection Objectives and Fundamental Principles referred
to in document GC(45)/INF/14 by the Board of Governors of the Agency,
encourages States to apply these principles in designing, implementing
and regulating their national systems for the physical protection of
nuclear material and nuclear facilities used for peaceful purposes,
and welcomes the decision of the Director General to convene an open-ended
group of legal and technical experts in order to prepare a draft of
a well-defined amendment, to be subsequently reviewed by the States
parties, aimed at strengthening the Convention on the Physical Protection
of Nuclear Material and encouraging States to become parties to the
Convention;
18. Requests the Secretary-General to transmit
to the Director General of the Agency the records of the fifty-sixth
session of the General Assembly relating to the activities of the Agency.
86th plenary meeting
14 December 2001
Notes:
1. International Atomic Energy Agency, The Annual Report
for 2000 (Austria, July 2001) (GC(45)/4); transmitted to the members
of the General Assembly by a note by the Secretary-General (A/56/313).
2. See Official Records of the General Assembly, Fifty-sixth
Session, Plenary Meetings, 30th meeting (A/56/PV.30), and corrigendum.
3. United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 729, No. 10485.
4. GC(45)/18.
5. See S/2000/120.
6. See S/2000/983.
7. See S/2001/26.
8. See S/2001/129.
9. See S/2001/337.
10. See S/2001/945.
11. See International Atomic Energy Agency, Resolutions
and Other Decisions of the General Conference, Forty-fifth Regular Session,
17–21 September 2001 (GC(45)/RES/DEC/(2001)).
12. International Atomic Energy Agency, INFCIRC/403.
13. S/PRST/1994/13; see Resolutions and Decisions
of the Security Council, 1994.
14. S/PRST/1994/28; see Resolutions and Decisions
of the Security Council, 1994.
15. S/PRST/1994/64; see Resolutions and Decisions
of the Security Council, 1994.
16. International Atomic Energy Agency, INFCIRC/449.
17. International Atomic Energy Agency, INFCIRC/546.
18. United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1456, No.
24631.
Sources: The United Nations |