Excellencies,
Distinguished participants,
I would like to thank the International Atomic Energy Agency for inviting me to contribute to the Opening Ceremony of the Atom4Climate Pavilion.
Achieving the SDGs and the objectives of the Paris Agreement will require all of us to work together with full vigour.
This has become particularly urgent as we are now approaching the point of no return towards climate disaster, while the achievement of the SDGs is threatening to slip out of reach.
How can nuclear energy potentially contribute towards turning the tide?
Please allow me to share some thoughts:
First, with low levels of greenhouse gas emissions, nuclear power contributes significantly to emissions reduction.
Existing nuclear power plants avoid approximately 1 gigatons of carbon dioxide equivalent per year.
Second, nuclear technology plays an important role in our society.
It can be used to monitor pollution.
It helps in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and other major diseases.
Third, the contribution of nuclear energy in the future will depend on how each country evaluates nuclear power against renewables and other clean alternatives.
We must acknowledge; however, that nuclear safety remains a significant public concern and the long-term management of nuclear waste is still an unresolved issue that needs to be addressed.
The cost competitiveness of nuclear power will also remain an important factor.
Distinguished participants,
I would like to commend the commitment of IAEA, as a member of UN-Energy, to the advancement of SDG 7 and climate action, including through their Energy Compact.
As the Secretariat of UN-Energy, the Department of Economic and Social Affairs will continue to strengthen the cooperation of all UN-Energy organisations.
The in-depth review of SDG7 at the UN High-level Political Forum and the SDG Summit next year will provide an important platform to strengthen collective action.
Let us together chart the way towards a sustainable, just and equitable world, which truly leaves no one behind.
Thank you.