{"id":37792,"date":"2026-09-20T07:39:16","date_gmt":"2026-09-20T04:39:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/?p=37792"},"modified":"2026-09-20T08:16:23","modified_gmt":"2026-09-20T05:16:23","slug":"nuclear-expansion-safeguards-and-cooperation-dominate-iaeas-70th-general-conference","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/nuclear-expansion-safeguards-and-cooperation-dominate-iaeas-70th-general-conference\/","title":{"rendered":"Nuclear expansion, safeguards and cooperation dominate IAEA’s 70th General Conference"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

11 minute read<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

By IRIA Special Correspondent in Vienna<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The International Atomic Energy Agency\u2019s (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi used the opening of the agency\u2019s 70th General Conference in Vienna to highlight the expanding role of nuclear energy while warning of continuing challenges to nuclear non-proliferation, safeguards and nuclear safety, particularly in Iran and Ukraine.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Addressing representatives of the IAEA’s 182 Member States on September 14, Grossi pointed to the loss of verification access in Iran, continuing risks at Ukraine’s nuclear sites and the broader strains on the international non-proliferation regime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time, he highlighted rising demand for nuclear electricity, development of small modular reactors (SMRs) and advanced reactors, progress in fusion and expanding nuclear applications in industry and medicine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDoes the world suffer from tension and fracture? Yes. Has our work become more difficult in places? Yes. Are there trends undermining nuclear non-proliferation? Yes,\u201d Grossi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The five-day conference, which closed on September 18, consequently ran on two parallel tracks: managing immediate nuclear-security and safeguards issues while preparing for a larger global nuclear fleet and a broader range of nuclear technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grossi underscored the continuing importance of nuclear non-proliferation, telling delegates in his opening statement: \u201cA world with more nuclear weapons and more countries armed with nuclear weapons is not a safer world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Small<\/a>
Small modular reactors represent a flexible and efficient energy source of nuclear energy. (Image Credit: European Commission\/Adobe)<\/sup><\/em>

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Nuclear Expansion Outlook Rises<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The IAEA presented another increase in its long-term nuclear power outlook. The IAEA now projects that global nuclear generating capacity could reach 1,284 gigawatts electric by 2060 in its high-growth scenario, while the low case reaches 696 GW(e) in 2060.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Central and Eastern Asia accounts for much of the projected growth. Under the high case, nuclear capacity in the region could increase from 114 GW(e) in 2025 to 407 GW(e) in 2060.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SMRs are also becoming a larger component of the projection. The IAEA estimates that SMRs could account for 28% of new nuclear capacity added by 2060 in its high case, compared with 23% in the low case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The expansion comes as much of the existing fleet ages. Two-thirds of operating reactors have been in service for more than 30 years and 45% for more than 40 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seven reactors totaling 2.8 GW(e) were retired in 2025, while three units totaling 3.0 GW(e) entered operation and construction began on 12 reactors with a combined expected capacity of 14.3 GW(e).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grossi also connected nuclear growth with rising electricity demand from artificial intelligence and data centers, saying the relationship between AI and nuclear energy was \u201cno longer incidental or optional\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Iran Safeguards Remain Unresolved<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iran was among the principal safeguards issues addressed during the conference. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said the IAEA had withdrawn its inspectors following renewed attacks on Iran at the end of February.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apart from an inspection at the Bushehr nuclear power plant in June, the agency had not conducted in-field verification activities in Iran for more than six months, he said.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Iran<\/a>
IAEA flag (L) and an Iranian flag flutter in front of the IAEA headquarters in Vienna, Austria. (Image Credit: Reuters\/Lisa Leutner)<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The agency also no longer had continuity of knowledge concerning previously declared inventories of low-enriched uranium and uranium enriched to up to 60% U-235 at declared facilities affected by the June 2025 attacks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grossi said the lack of access and information needed to verify the nuclear material was a \u201cserious proliferation concern\u201d and called for a return to diplomacy and negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Agency stands ready to support such efforts,\u201d he said, while urging IAEA Member States to reaffirm their commitment to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iran\u2019s nuclear chief, Mohammad Eslami, did not attend after a UN sanctions committee declined to grant a travel exemption following a US objection. Iran\u2019s IAEA ambassador, Reza Najafi, told delegates that preventing Eslami from attending violated Iran\u2019s rights as an IAEA member, while Russia also criticized the decision. Austria said it was acting within the applicable UN sanctions framework.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Ukraine Nuclear Safety Remains a Priority<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ukraine remained a major nuclear-safety concern, particularly at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant, where IAEA personnel continue to monitor conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grossi said Zaporizhzhya had suffered 10 losses of off-site power since June and 26 since the start of the conflict in 2022. The plant’s emergency diesel generators had also depleted almost all of their fuel supplies.<\/p>\n\n\n

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IAEA headquarters at the Vienna International Centre, on September 15, 2026. (Image Credit: IRIA)<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The IAEA helped facilitate a seventh temporary ceasefire that allowed demining and repairs to the Ferosplavna-1 power line, restoring an external electricity connection required to support the plant’s cooling systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 2022, 185 IAEA staff members have participated in 287 missions to Ukraine, with more than 250 equipment deliveries valued at about EUR27 million supporting radiation monitoring, physical protection, emergency preparedness and nuclear safety and security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Syria Resolves Outstanding Safeguards Questions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The agency reported progress on another long-running safeguards matter involving Syria. Grossi said the IAEA had obtained the access and information required to evaluate safeguards-relevant information concerning the Deir Alzour site and had resolved its outstanding questions concerning Syria’s past nuclear activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The agency had previously assessed that a building destroyed at Deir Alzour in 2007 was very likely a nuclear reactor under construction that Syria was required to declare under its safeguards agreement. Syria’s comprehensive safeguards agreement entered into force in 1992.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The development followed Grossi’s August visit to the site and subsequent cooperation with Syrian authorities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Separately at the summit, Syria and the IAEA signed a Country Programme Framework for 2026-2031. The agreement covers nuclear and radiation safety, health and nutrition, food and agriculture, energy planning, nuclear knowledge management, industrial applications, and water and the environment.
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\"High-Temperature<\/a>
A closer look at the advanced High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor (HTGR) model showcased by China at the 2026 IAEA General Conference on September 14, 2026. (Image Credit: IRIA)<\/sup><\/em>

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China’s Fusion and HTGR Technology in Focus<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

China presented developments in fusion energy and advanced reactors during the conference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the 18 September event on fusion, China outlined its objective of achieving commercial utilization of fusion energy by 2050.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

China Fusion Energy Co., part of China National Nuclear Corporation, signed a cooperation agreement with the ITER project, while the Southwestern Institute of Nuclear Physics signed an agreement with the Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

China also presented results from the HL-3 tokamak, including reported ion temperatures of 120 million degrees Celsius and electron temperatures of 160 million degrees Celsius in 2025. More than 80 international scientists have participated in cooperation involving the facility since international collaboration began in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a separate development, CNNC subsidiary Chinergy Co Ltd and the IAEA signed a technology-sharing agreement covering high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR). The framework covers research and development, design, construction, commissioning and operation, together with supply chains and personnel training.
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China\u2019s civilian nuclear programme continues to grow, from the increasing number of NPPs operating and under construction to progress on SMRs, as well as the expanding use of nuclear applications.

Good to welcome China Atomic Energy Authority Chairman Shan Zhongde to #IAEAGC<\/a> to\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/ZVENtlxgDN<\/a><\/p>\u2014 Rafael Mariano Grossi (@rafaelmgrossi) September 14, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote>