EU Statement – 11th Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT): Main Committee III

EU Statement - 11th Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT): Main Committee III

4 May 2026, New York - European Union Statement for Main Committee III at the 11th Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), 27 April - 22 May 2026

Chair,

1. I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. The Candidate Countries Montenegro, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina* and Georgia, and the EFTA country Iceland, member of the European Economic Area, as well as Monaco and San Marino align themselves with this statement.

1. Let me congratulate you on your election as Main Committee III Chair and assure you of the full support and cooperation of the EU and its Member States.

1. The EU reaffirms its support for the inalienable right of all NPT States Parties to develop research, production and use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes without discrimination and in conformity with Articles I and II of the Treaty, as reflected in its Article IV. Therefore, we fully support the work of the International Atomic Energy Agency with regards to peaceful uses of nuclear energy, in ensuring nuclear safety and security, implementing safeguards and in fostering nuclear applications.

1. We acknowledge the need to ensure energy security and respect the right of States to decide on their energy mix and choose the most appropriate technologies to collectively achieve the 2030 climate target and mitigate the consequences of global warming and monitor its impact.

2. Following the successful adoption of the Pact for the Future, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Climate Agreement remain a top priority for all UN organisations. We recognise the possible contributions of nuclear science, technology and applications in areas like human health, agriculture, food security and safety, water management, environmental protection, or preservation of cultural and natural heritage. In this regard, we welcome initiatives launched by the IAEA Director General, such as Rays of Hope, ZODIAC, NUTEC Plastics and Atoms4Food. They translate research into real-world impact. We also welcome the establishment of the Vienna Group of Friends of Food Security, currently co-chaired by the EU and Sudan.

1. We continue to support activities to facilitate cooperation on peaceful uses of nuclear technologies, and provide technical expertise and know-how. We are among the largest donors of the Technical Cooperation Programme. EU contributions include in-kind support provided by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) to the IAEA in the area of nuclear medicine and other nuclear non-power applications, and bilateral cooperation with third countries such as the JRC's collaboration with South Africa and Namibia in advancing Targeted Alpha Therapy to fight cancer, as showcased in a working paper presented to this Review Conference.

Chair,

1. The EU and its Member States reiterate their commitment to the highest levels of nuclear safety, security and safeguards, essential to a responsible, safe and secure development of peaceful uses of nuclear energy, including for technical cooperation. We encourage all States to establish and maintain comprehensive national nuclear safety and security frameworks, based on the internationally recognised IAEA safety standards and security guidance.

1. We stress the need to continuously improve nuclear safety and security for the development and deployment of new technologies for the entire fuel cycle, including related concepts of small modular reactors. We also encourage all IAEA Member States, especially those that have not done so and embarking countries, to make full use of the IAEA's peer review missions and advisory services.

1. The EU reaffirms the central role of the IAEA in promoting, coordinating and strengthening the global nuclear security architecture, facilitating international cooperation and building capacities and developing guidance in coordination with its Member States. The universalisation and effective implementation of the Amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material, as well as the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism continue to benefit from EU financial support. We encourage all States that have not yet done so to adhere to the international nuclear safety and security conventions and fully implement their provisions, as well as to subscribe to the IAEA Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources.

Chair,

1. The EU continues to provide substantial financial support for nuclear safety and security. Within the EU, Euratom's Research and Training Programme, with an emphasis on improving nuclear safety and security, has a budget of €1.98 billion.

1. The EU works with partner countries through the European Instrument for International Nuclear Safety Cooperation. Ongoing activities include the repair of the damage caused to the New Safe Confinement at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, caused by Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, remediation activities in Central Asia, and cooperation with nuclear safety regulators in several African countries with a budget of €300 million.

1. The EU and its Member States remain major donors to the IAEA. The EU has contributed more than €68 million to the IAEA's Nuclear Security Fund, and it will have contributed €175 million to the CBRN Centres of Excellence initiative, facilitating cooperation with 63 partner countries to mitigate chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear risks.

1. We encourage the States concerned, on a voluntary basis, to minimise Highly Enriched Uranium in civilian stocks and use Low Enriched Uranium, where technically and economically feasible, and to share experiences including updates on progress in this regard.

1. The entry into force and universalisation of the CTBT, as well as long-term sustainment of the International Monitoring System (IMS), remain a priority for the EU. The IMS provides relevant data for managing radiological emergencies, preventing consequences of natural and man-made disasters and for climate change research, among others. The EU together with other States Parties have submitted a working paper "The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty" with a series of recommendations to this Conference. We invite you to consult it.

1. The EU and its Member States remain committed to promoting gender equality and mainstreaming and the empowerment of women and girls, in all IAEA, CTBTO and other nuclear-related activities. The EU and its Member States remain the largest donor to the IAEA Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship Programme and support the CTBTO Mentoring Programme for Early Career Women in STEM.

Chair,

1. The EU is concerned over the potential implications of armed attacks against nuclear facilities devoted to peaceful purposes, recalls the importance of upholding the IAEA's seven pillars for ensuring nuclear safety and security in armed conflicts, and calls upon States to refrain from such actions, in accordance with international law. The EU highlights the difficulty of implementing nuclear safeguards and verification of diversion of nuclear materials under armed conflict situations and the consequent risks to nuclear proliferation. We note the relevant IAEA General Conference resolutions regarding armed attacks against nuclear facilities devoted to peaceful purposes, in accordance with international law, including the UN Charter, the Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocols thereto.

2. We remain gravely concerned over the nuclear safety and security risks caused by Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. We reiterate the importance of upholding the IAEA's seven pillars for ensuring nuclear safety and security in armed conflicts and the five principles established by the IAEA Director General for the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP). We also reiterate the importance of the IAEA Support and Assistance Missions at all of Ukraine's nuclear facilities, including ZNPP, as well as its assessment of the risks and extend of damage of electrical substations. We urge Russia to refrain from carrying attacks on such infrastructure, which constitute a serious threat to nuclear safety and security. We remain concerned by the precarious situation at the ZNPP. All ZNPP reactors must remain in cold shutdown, as instructed by the Ukrainian regulator and recommended by the IAEA. We further urge Russia to withdraw its military and other forces, equipment and other unauthorized personnel from the ZNPP, and return the plant to the full control of the competent Ukrainian authorities. The EU and its Member States will continue to provide extensive support to Ukraine, both bilaterally and through the IAEA.

Thank you, Chair.

1. ^Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.