Vienna,11 August 2022 (TDI): The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has announced that the agency will brief the UN Security Council on the recent episode of Russian shelling of the Zaporizhzya Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) in Ukraine.
DG @RafaelMGrossi will brief #UNSC on 11 Aug about nuclear safety and security at #Zaporizhzya NPP: “I welcome this opportunity to inform the Council. It is vital that the IAEA be present at the plant to help reduce danger of a possible nuclear disaster.” https://t.co/dePSvEnO4H pic.twitter.com/nHAKv9E4N9
— IAEA – International Atomic Energy Agency (@iaeaorg) August 10, 2022
Expectations from UNSC briefing
Director General of IAEA Rafael Mariano Grossi said that he would brief the UNSC on plans and preparations to personally lead an IAEA mission to the Zaporizhzya Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) in Ukraine.
IAEA has also raised alarms about the shelling that is taking place at the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine. Therefore, the briefing with UNSC will also discuss the issue of nuclear security and peace amidst the war in Ukraine.
Additionally, IAEA inspectors have said there’s a “very real risk of a nuclear disaster” at Europe’s biggest atomic power plant. Director-General Rafael Mariano Grossi has therefore emphasized the need of permission from Ukraine’s government. Moreover, the agency will need security guarantees and a safe passage through the war zone.
Nuclear peace and security
The IAEA has been trying for months to send an inspection team to the Zaporizhzya nuclear plant. However, it has not been successful.
The watchdog also said that Ukraine had informed the agency about restoring a power line. If needed, this can supply the plant with electricity from a nearby thermal power plant.
In this regard, IAEA Director General outlined the need for a secure off-site power supply as one of the seven nuclear safety pillars.
