The United States has expressed its position on the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) proposed Technical Cooperation (TC) Program for 2026-2027, highlighting disagreements over the program's direction and funding priorities.
Speaking in Vienna on November 17, 2025, Howard Solomon, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim, delivered the U.S. statement during Agenda Item 2 of the IAEA Technical Assistance and Cooperation Committee (TACC). The U.S. acknowledged the importance of the TC Program for promoting peaceful uses of nuclear technology and supporting the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
However, Solomon stated that certain aspects of the proposed program run counter to U.S. policy. “Given the proposed program includes lines of effort that run counter to U.S. policy, such as those related to climate change and gender equality, the United States cannot join consensus in recommending the proposed program to the Board and would like its position reflected in the official record of the TACC,” he said.
He further elaborated that while it is important for peaceful nuclear benefits to address global challenges, this should not involve expanding IAEA’s mandate into areas like sustainable development goals or quotas based on gender. “This cannot be accomplished if the IAEA expands its mandate beyond nuclear science, technology, and applications to politically driven agendas, such as Sustainable Development Goals, gender, and climate change. The IAEA has successfully fulfilled its mission without such expansion, and we oppose quotas or targets based on sex, advocating instead for equal opportunities for all,” Solomon noted.
On environmental issues within IAEA projects, Solomon indicated a preference for practical protections over what he described as “politically motivated climate agendas.” He also stressed that limited TC resources should be directed toward countries most in need rather than self-sufficient nations.
The statement referenced compliance with UN Security Council resolutions: “We highlight the IAEA’s recognition in relevant TC program documents that ‘the implementation of these projects will be in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.’”
Solomon made clear that future U.S. contributions may not be used for projects opposed by U.S. administration policy: “The United States wants to be crystal clear – the IAEA may not use future U.S. contributions to fund projects the U.S. administration does not support. This includes the aforementioned areas outlined in our statement, and we will provide additional guidance when we transfer our Technical Cooperation funding.”
He concluded by affirming continued advocacy for transparency and oversight regarding how U.S.-contributed funds are used within IAEA programs.