IAEA chief welcomes outcome of nuclear treaty review conference

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) today welcomed the unanimous adoption at the end of the latest review of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) of a document which, among other things, contains steps towards achieving a nuclear-free Middle East.

The final document of the five-yearly gathering, issued on Friday, called on Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the co-sponsors of a 1995 resolution proposing a Middle East free of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction to convene a conference to be attended by all States in the region.

Director General Yukiya Amano said he was “delighted” that the conference “gave full support to all the areas of work of the IAEA that are relevant to the three pillars of the NPT: preventing the spread of nuclear weapons, the promotion of safe and secure use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, and nuclear disarmament.”

He noted that the month-long gathering's success “is particularly important as it can enhance confidence in the nuclear non-proliferation regime, which in turn will provide the IAEA with a stronger basis for its work in all areas.”

In a statement issued by his spokesperson on Friday, Mr. Ban hailed the “strong spirit of compromise and cooperation” that has “delivered a significant agreement to build a safer and more secure world.”

The action plan adopted by nations lays a solid foundation to further strengthen the treaty and address the challenges that lie ahead, he said.