Madam President,
I have the pleasure to speak on behalf of the Members of the Group of Western European and other States, and Japan, as we wish to join other members and observers here today to mark the fortieth anniversary of the Chornobyl catastrophe, the horrific loss of life that resulted, the incredible bravery of the first responders and on-site health professionals, and the efforts of so many in the decades since to mitigate the disaster.
The disaster led to grave humanitarian, environmental, social and economic consequences. It cast a radioactive plume across a wide area of Europe and its effects are still being felt in the region and beyond.
Madam President,
Since 1986, the United Nations has helped to address the needs of people in the areas surrounding Chornobyl. It has played a central role in coordinating international recovery and development efforts. Initially focused on emergency humanitarian relief, the United Nations engagement evolved over time to include long-term rehabilitation, health monitoring and sustainable development. In December last year, the General Assembly acknowledged in resolution 80/111 the need for continuing international cooperation under the auspices of the United Nations.
At the same time, armed conflict has returned to areas with nuclear facilities. We are deeply concerned by the increasing risk to nuclear safety and security in Ukraine through Russia’s full-scale invasion. In this context, we underscore that the Chornobyl New Safe Confinement Arch, which was damaged by a drone strike in 2025, must be rehabilitated at the earliest to prevent any radiological incident that would have serious humanitarian and environmental consequences for the entire continent.
Madam President,
Chornobyl was a tragedy—but it also became a turning point. Out of its failures emerged a stronger international commitment to nuclear safety, transparency, and cooperation, with the IAEA at its center. Important international legal instruments were adopted, including the Convention on Nuclear Safety. An international coordinated response system was established, with the IAEA's Incident and Emergency Centre at its heart. IAEA’s peer review system was established - involving deployment of international teams of experts to advise countries on the operational safety of their nuclear reactors or the effectiveness of their regulatory system.
The IAEA’s work across its full range of responsibilities, in strengthening the international nuclear safety and security frameworks, and implementing nuclear safeguards is fundamental. Without it, cooperation would fragment, standards would weaken, and risks would increase. We must ensure that we do not face a new Chornobyl catastrophe.
Thank you.