Statement by the Delegation of Brazil at the Security Council meeting on Threats to international peace and security - August 11th, 2022

Mr. President,

Brazil has been following with great concern news about recent shelling incidents at the facilities of the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), in Ukraine. As unanimously recognized by the IAEA General Conference, any armed attack on and threat against nuclear facilities devoted to peaceful purposes constitutes a violation of the principles of the UN Charter, international law and the Statute of the Agency. We reiterate that all parties concerned have a responsibility to ensure compliance with applicable instruments on nuclear safety and security, including the Convention on Nuclear Safety, the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel, and the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material and its amendment.

Mr. President,

During the ongoing NPT Review Conference, States Parties have been insisting on the need to promote nuclear safety and security, as well as risk reduction. The urgency of translating those words into action is increasingly evident.

While the IAEA assessment that “there was no immediate threat to nuclear safety as a result of Saturday’s incident” gives us some relief, we cannot lose sight of the fact that recent events have breached virtually all the seven pillars outlined by Director-General Rafael Grossi earlier this year. The absence of immediate threat does not mean the absence of threat. It only means that the parties still have a chance to avoid a disaster.

Mr. President,

What makes the situation so alarming is precisely the fact that we are fully aware of the catastrophic and lasting consequences for human health and the environment that any damage to the Zaporizhzhia power plant would entail. We therefore call on all Parties to refrain from any measure that could jeopardize the safety and security of the NPP, as well as its safe operation.

As DG Grossi recently stated, “the current situation is untenable”. We echo the calls for the deployment of an IAEA expert mission to the Zaporizhzhya NPP without delay.

I thank you.