Chair,
Germany aligns itself with the statement delivered by the European Union regarding pillar three of the NPT.

It is our firm belief that a sustainable implementation of the NPT’s third pillar reinforces the Treaty, and will lend an impetus to positive developments in its other pillars. Under Article IV Germany stays committed to the inalienable right of all States Parties to the NPT to peacefully make use of nuclear energy, science, and technology.

The obligations under Article I, II and III including the universal IAEA verification standards to safeguard non-proliferation are the agreed and indispensable basis for the peaceful use of all nuclear applications.

Mr. Chair,

Any peaceful use of nuclear energy must be subject to highest standards of safety and security. In addition we underline the need for strong export control mechanisms. While we recognize that the prime responsibility for upholding these standards remains a national responsibility, we have to keep in mind that appropriate basic standards for safety and security are a global tasks. Nuclear security, safety and safeguards are an essential element for peaceful uses. Therefore, they are not an impediment to the spread of such use, but rather a catalyst. Germany strongly supports the role and the work of the IAEA in advancing safety standards and security guidelines.

Both bilaterally as the fourth largest contributor to the IAEA budget and through the European Union, Germany supports the Agency’s valuable work. Furthermore, Germany finances extra-budgetary contributions to the Nuclear Security Fund, its activities in Technical Cooperation and Safeguards.

We also strongly support the conventions on Safety and Security, and call upon States parties that have not yet done so to accede to and implement the relevant conventions.

Mr. Chair,

Germany condemns Russia´s ongoing, brutal and illegal war of aggression against Ukraine and the unprecedented seizure of the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, Zaporizhzhya, endangering nuclear safety and security in the region for more than three years now. Furthermore, persisting strikes on electrical infrastructure and the Chornobyl exclusion zone aggravate the risks of a nuclear incident. Germany commends the IAEA experts’ presence in Ukraine and the vital work for nuclear safety, security and safeguards and will continue to support Ukraine and the IAEA.

Mr. Chair,

Germany commends and supports the IAEA’s Technical Cooperation Programme and the Peaceful Uses Initiative as effective means to promote the benefits of nuclear technology in areas such as human health, agriculture, water management and industrial applications to meet the needs of IAEA Member States. This includes tracing techniques and isotope analysis to improve food safety and boost agricultural output by better controlling insect pest. They also contribute to the protection of water resources and the environment by treating industrial wastewater or studying groundwater resources. In the area of health, the use of medical radioisotopes for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, including the treatment of cancer, continues to save lives on a daily basis.

The IAEA’s laboratories in Seibersdorf are a leading research and capacity building institution. In addition to being the fourth largest contributor to the IAEA’s Technical Cooperation Fund, Germany contributed to the Rays of Hope initiative of the Agency.

Mr. Chair,

Germany will intensify the national programme for Competence Building and the Development of Future Talent for Nuclear Safety. We are committed to preserving, developing and sharing knowledge and expertise in nuclear science and technology, and strongly support non-power applications of nuclear science and technology. Multiple non-power applications improve the lives of people all over the world. It is particularly in this area where the potential for international cooperation and cross-fertilization remains to be fully explored and further developed. We consider this Preparatory Committee session and the NPT Review process as a valuable opportunity to improve our cooperation with this aim.

Mr. Chair,

In this context also, it is relevant that last year’s working group on further strengthening the NPT review process clearly showed that there is scope for progress. Germany fully supports continuing this debate, giving it appropriate time and space at this session of the Preparatory Committee and in the Review Process.

Thank you.