The United States addressed the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors meeting in Vienna on September 8, 2025, focusing on nuclear and radiation safety. Howard Solomon, Chargé d’Affaires, ad interim, delivered the statement for Agenda Item 2.
Solomon acknowledged the Secretariat’s work in implementing nuclear and radiation safety activities and supporting countries considering or planning to use nuclear power or radiation technology. He stated: "The United States takes note of the 2025 Nuclear and Radiation Safety Report. We thank the Secretariat for its efforts to implement nuclear and radiation safety activities and support Member States considering or planning for nuclear power or use of radiation technology."
However, Solomon expressed concerns about certain sections of the report. "Regrettably, I must highlight several paragraphs in the report that the United States rejects. The references to climate change in paragraphs 128, 130, 131, 133, and 151 are not relevant to nuclear safety," he said.
Despite these reservations, Solomon emphasized U.S. support for global frameworks that promote safe deployment of new nuclear reactors. He noted progress made by working groups under the Nuclear Harmonization and Standardization Initiative (NHSI), particularly regarding regulatory issues. "Regardless, the United States recognizes the importance of the Secretariat’s work to support global nuclear safety frameworks that enable the safe and secure deployment of new nuclear reactors. We acknowledge the achievements of the three working groups under the Nuclear Harmonization and Standardization Initiative (NHSI) regulatory track," he said.
He also encouraged a focus on design safety for fusion facilities, transportable plants, and artificial intelligence applications in nuclear settings.
The statement highlighted U.S. encouragement for member states to join international conventions related to nuclear safety. "The United States encourages Member States to become Parties to all relevant safety-related conventions," Solomon said. He congratulated Liberia on joining the Convention on Nuclear Safety and welcomed Lebanon’s accession to another key agreement covering spent fuel management.
Solomon recognized outreach efforts around liability conventions: "We appreciate the Agency’s outreach efforts on the Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage (CSC). The CSC is the only mechanism for establishing a worldwide nuclear liability and compensation regime." He called on more countries to join this convention ahead of an amendment conference scheduled for January.
Additionally, Solomon mentioned that an Operational Safety Review Team mission would take place at Salem Nuclear Power Plant in September with U.S. participation: "The United States is pleased to be hosting an Operational Safety Review Team mission at the Salem Nuclear Power Plant this month." He encouraged other nations to engage in similar peer review processes.
In closing remarks, Solomon urged continued internal coordination within IAEA: "Finally, the United States encourages the IAEA to continue to improve internal coordination to reinforce that nuclear safety enables the peaceful uses of nuclear applications, science, technology, and materials and is critical to public acceptance."