Introduction:

From September 9 to 12, 2024, the IAEA Board of Governors scheduled its regular September meeting at the Agency’s headquarters. The objective of Board was  to cover a variety of issues, such as nuclear and radiation safety; atomic security; bolstering the Agency’s efforts in the fields of nuclear science, technology, and applications; verification and monitoring in the Islamic Republic of Iran regarding resolution 2231 (2015) of the UN Security Council; application of safeguards in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea; implementation of the NPT safeguards agreement in Syria; NPT Safeguards Agreement with the Islamic Republic of Iran; nuclear safety, security, and safeguards in Ukraine; transfer of nuclear materials in the context of AUKUS and its safeguards in all respects under the compliance of NPT; implementing IAEA safeguards in the Middle East and restoring Member States’ sovereignty, impartiality within the agency. More than 150 member nations came together at the conference this year with the aim of tackling present obstacles and potential advances in nuclear energy under the slogan “Sustainability and Safety for a Better Future”

Strategic Role of the IAEA Board of Governors:

The Board of Governors is one of the two policy-making bodies of the IAEA, along with the annual General Conference of IAEA Member States.The Board examines and makes recommendations to the General Conference on the IAEA’s financial statements, programme and budget. It considers applications for membership, approves safeguards agreements and the publication of the IAEA’s safety standards. It also appoints the Director General of the IAEA, with the approval of the General Conference. The Board generally meets five times per year: in March and June, twice in September (before and after the General Conference) and in November. The 35 Board Members for 2024-2025 are Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Canada, China, Colombia, Ecuador, Egypt, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Luxembourg, Morocco, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Pakistan, Paraguay, the Russian Federation, South Africa, Spain, Thailand, Ukraine, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the United States of America and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

Key responsibilities of the board of governors meeting overview are considering membership application, reviewing financial budget, appointing director general, approving safeguard and safety standards..

IAEA Director General’s Briefing to the Board of Governors:

The meeting on the first day included the briefing by IAEA Director General, where he outlined the organization’s complex activities in the sphere of nuclear safety in conflict affects areas, with the main focus on the Ukraine war and the current threats at the Zaporizhzhya NPP. He also talked about initiatives in which the Agency is involved in more inclusion of nuclear science in the fight against diseases, in improving food security via Atoms4Food as well as in fighting climate change by touting nuclear energy as an important ally in the battle against carbon. Moreover, the Director General appeared to engage diplomacy with the likes of Iran and Syria to seek diplomatic solutions to nuclear safety and security.

Overview:

• Nuclear Safety and Security in Ukraine Conflict

Rafael Mariano Grossi, as IAEA Director General, discussed his visits to both Russia and Ukraine with the Board regarding current developments. He described the ongoing safety concerns at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant, where damage from a recent fire has exacerbated the already “extremely challenging” situation. Grossi had a meeting with President Zelensky of Ukraine to discuss additional IAEA support and then engaged in discussions in Kaliningrad with Russian representatives to underline that nuclear power plants should never be targeted by militaries. He stressed the necessity of the IAEA keeping open communication lines with states and illustrated that as an optimistic approach to manage this tense international crisis.

• Developments in Iran

Grossi pointed out effective interactions with Iran’s leadership as a positive sign for future Agency collaborations. He indicated the vital importance of diplomacy and the basic requirement for a trustworthy framework for Iran’s nuclear programme, pointing out that not attending to it could give rise to more instability.

• IAEA’s Commitment to Sustainable Development

1. Atoms4Food: A combined attempt with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation to resolve global hunger through nuclear technology.
2. Rays of Hope: Cancer Care for All provides support to enrich radiotherapy and cancer treatment on a global scale. There are now nine Anchor Centres, which have recently added new facilities in Argentina, Slovenia, and South Africa.
3. NUTEC Plastics and ZODIAC: Grossi pointed out the successes of these programs. In support of plastic recycling with nuclear techniques, NUTEC Plastics operates, simultaneously ZODIAC focuses on zoonotic diseases, with 128 laboratories internationally working to improve outbreak detection and response.

• Climate Change and Nuclear Energy

Nuclear energy is crucial to decarburization, says Grossi, who points out the increasing recognition of its importance in conjunction with renewable energy sources. He talked about the efforts for the COP29 climate conference in Baku, where nuclear energy’s contribution to combatting climate change will be on the agenda.

• Fusion Energy and Future Technologies

In the course of the discussion, the Director General discussed the future possibilities of nuclear fusion as an energy source and presented the formation of the new World Fusion Energy Group (WFEG), designed to facilitate worldwide collaboration in fusion research. The Ministerial Meeting of the WFEG will occur in Rome in November 2024.

• Monitoring DPRK Nuclear Programme

Director General Grossi informed that the IAEA persists in its nuclear monitoring of North Korea. Water discharge from the light water reactor (LWR) at Yongbyon shows it operating since October 2023. The 5MW(e) reactor engaged and recently interrupted operations which could indicate a refuelling cycle. Moreover they developed a new site at the Kangson Complex which advanced North Korea’s nuclear efforts. Grossi appealed to North Korea to abide by UN Security Council mandates and cooperate with the Agency once more.

• Engagements with Syria

Grossi commented that Syria began discussions with the IAEA after meeting President Bashar al-Assad and granted site visits for environmental monitoring regarding unresolved safeguards concerns. When the assessments of the samples are complete the outcomes will be examined and reported. This new partnership shows a hopeful step in dealing with current challenges.

• Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station

The IAEA verified that Fukushima treated water has gone under safety margins and meets standards. The Agency provides support to Japan regarding soil management and cleanup tactics in the area.

• Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)

The future of nuclear energy relies heavily on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), according to Grossi. In October 2024 the first IAEA event focused on SMRs will happen. SMRs provide versatility at reduced costs and utilise them across different fields including local grids and marine sectors. Representation for SMR implementation and training efforts to improve readiness are currently under development by the IAEA.

• Gender Parity and the MSC Fellowship

Women makeup 48% of the IAEA’s professional positions due to its efforts on gender parity. A vital effort for empowering women in nuclear fields is the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship Programme which already supports 560 women across 120 countries.

Pakistan’s Relationship with the IAEA

Pakistan has strong relations with the IAEA and it has been a member of the Board of Governors for the twentieth time establishing its efforts for the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and its support for the Agency’s policies and programs. Since being a part of the IAEA as an initial member, Pakistan has benefited from the relationship it has had with the Agency in supporting the IAEA’s activities in the areas of nuclear safety and security. Earlier this month Pakistan was also elected as the President for Tenth Review meeting of the convention on Nuclear safety CNS.

In Vienna, Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) signed the following two agreements to further bilateral cooperation in the area of peaceful applications of nuclear technology: Legal Status of Pakistan’s Institute of Nuclear Science & Technology (PINSTECH) as an Agency’s Collaborating Centre for sustainable water resource management Practical arrangement between Pakistan’s National centre for Non destructive testing (NCNDT) and the IAEA.

Many Pakistani scientists and engineers have been involved in several IAEA activities and Pakistani soil has been a hub of many IAEA-sponsored events for the creation of human and physical assets at both the individual and group levels in the area of NPT for the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

Ambassador Kamran Akhtar’s participation in the IAEA Board of Governors Meeting and its impact:

This can be very important for Pakistan’s interest that Ambassador Kamran Akhtar participates in the IAEA Board of Governors meeting in September 2024. His participation also makes sure that Pakistan occupies its rightful place in the international nuclear forum and can exercise its rights on different issues of interest like the non-proliferation and security, verification, and the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. This remains advantageous for Pakistan because it helps the country to protect its self-interest.

Pakistan can achieve cooperation with other countries at these IAEA meetings on agreed goals like nuclear safety and No Proliferation in addition to sharing new technologies and the development of competencies to generate good relations and cooperation. Participation in the meeting by Ambassador Akhtar also gives Pakistan more visibility on the international stage.

Pakistan has been elected as a new member of the IAEA Board of Governors for the 2024-2025 term for two years. This would be Pakistan’s 21^st term on the IAEA BOG which is a strong recognition of Pakistan’s long-standing commitment and collaboration with IAEA. As a founding member of IAEA, Pakistan has consistently contributed to global efforts in nuclear safety, security and sustainable energy. With six operational nuclear power plants generating 3530 MW of clean energy, Pakistan is contributing to a brighter greener future.

Way Forward for Pakistan

• Pakistan, now a newly elected member of the IAEA Board of Governors for 2024-2025, should utilize this membership to influence the international nuclear policy especially with regard to safety measures, security and non-proliferation and use of nuclear energy for peaceful purpose.
• This also provides an opportunity to Pakistan to develop its technical cooperation and get acquainted with the current nuclear safety and measures that include SMRs and other discussed technologies at the IAEA.
• The IAEA has greatly advanced gender balance these include the Marie Sklodowska Curie Fellowship Programme in Nuclear Sciences in support of women. Pakistan should support these efforts by increasing the representation of women in its nuclear program, both in workforce and management.
• Female representation in nuclear science and related fields would not only improve Pakistan’s indigenous talent acquisition but also help portray the progressive culturally appropriate policies in Pakistan to tackle the gender imbalance issues abroad.
• Topics discussed in the meeting are future technological sources of energy which include nuclear fusions as well as the newly established option of SMRs. Pakistan should stand ready as one of the members who are likely to be gaining expertise and possibly deploying SMRs to cater for its energy requirements.
• Engaging in multi-lateral interactions, such as with the World Fusion Energy Group (WFEG) could let Pakistan stay at the forefront of cutting-edge nuclear technology.

Response on Board of Governors Meeting from International Community:

France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States appreciated Director General Grossi for his report on the further implementation of Iran’s NPT Safeguards Agreement. They endorsed the IAEA professional, professional and impartial work in confirming Iran’s adherence to its safeguards responsibilities and noticed the agency’s continuing endeavor to persuade Iran on the ‘accuracy and thoroughness’ of its submissions. Additionally, EU members and other European expressed grave concerns about the risks to nuclear safety in Ukraine, particularly at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP).

They also congratulated Director General Grossi and the IAEA staff for their bravery to maintain presence at the ZNPP and other nuclear power plants in Ukraine. Regarding the implementation of safeguards in the DPRK, the United States expresses gratitude to the Director General and the Secretariat for their report. The United States believes that the IAEA should concentrate on gender equality and efforts to mainstream gender roles. Japan also appreciates the Director General’s report entitled the “Nuclear Security Report 2024”.

The United States expresses gratitude to the DG for his most recent report on Syria and praises the DG (IAEA Director General) and the DDG (Deputy Directors General) for Safeguards for their diligent efforts to address long-standing safeguards issues related to Syria’s building of an undeclared nuclear reactor at Dair Alzour with DPRK assistance.

China called the Middle East’s relevant countries to sign and approve the Additional Protocol and to join the NPT. It also calls for the signing and approval of the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement with the IAEA as soon as possible and the application of IAEA safeguards in the Middle East.

Outcomes:

• This platform allows member states to share their viewpoints and ideas while experts gain insights into current innovations and issues in nuclear energy and safety
• The global energy proportions were discussed prominently at the IAEA conference concerning nuclear energy. To address climate change challenges worldwide nuclear energy plays an ever more critical role. The conference served as a venue for discussing recent innovations and improvements.
• An essential issue was the development of stronger nuclear safety protocols and the defence from nuclear dangers. The IAEA pointed out that we must boost international guidelines and nuclear safety measures to cut down dangers and secure the utilisation of nuclear energy particularly during the latest crisis in Ukraine.
• In addition to the political discussions, there were numerous technical sessions and workshops during the conference that addressed innovative developments in nuclear technology and nuclear safety research: The application of AI in nuclear facilities and advancements in regulation related to small modular reactors and international rules for these transformations are part of this discussion.
• At the conclusion of the conference there were several resolutions and recommendations created to advance worldwide standards for nuclear energy and safety while fostering interaction among participating states.

Authors

Nazia Sheikh is Research officer at Center for International Strategic Studies AJK

Hira Bashir is Associate Research officer at Center for International Strategic Studies AJK