Statement by Canada to the International Conference on Nuclear Security

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Vienna, Austria, May 21, 2024

Delivered by H.E. Mr. Troy Lulashnyk, Ambassador to Austria and Permanent Representative to the International Organizations in Vienna

Co-Presidents, Excellencies,

Ladies and gentlemen,

First, let me express my sincere thanks to Australia and Kazakhstan for their steadfast efforts as co- Presidents. Canada very much aligns with the Co-Presidents’ Joint Statement.

We thank the Secretariat and Programme Committee for their tireless efforts in making ICONS 2024 a success.

The positive contributions that nuclear energy provides in our everyday lives are immeasurable. Low- carbon energy. Reliable and affordable electricity. Lifesaving medicine.

We know global nuclear security benefits us all by promoting safe and secure access to the benefits of nuclear technology. That is why Canada supports strong and sustainable nuclear security both at home and abroad.

But our world faces numerous complex threats to international security. Nuclear terrorism remains one of the most pressing security challenges. Threats to nuclear security in armed conflict and the impacts of new and emerging technologies continue to evolve. It is crucial that we remain prepared to respond to and anticipate emerging threats. We call upon Russia to immediately withdraw its military and other unauthorized personnel from Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

Canada remains committed to working with the IAEA, as well as other international partners, to sustain and strengthen nuclear security. Allow me to share our recent commitments in this regard.

First, we are very pleased to announce that Canada is committing $9.5 million towards the Agency’s Regulatory Infrastructure Development Program for countries in the Asia-Pacific.

This extra funding means that Canada is one of the top supporters of the IAEA’s Nuclear Security Fund (NSF), with an overall contribution of more than $88.5 million over the last decade.

Second, Canada has also approved a new three-year collaboration with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime and a commitment of $3.9 million. This will go towards Promoting the Implementation and Adherence to Nuclear Security Legal Instruments.

Canada strongly encourages implementation of the Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources and its supplementary guidance documents. Canada provides support to these efforts via the IAEA.

We continue to carry out diplomatic efforts towards the universalization of nuclear security legal instruments.

And third, we continue our close collaboration with non-governmental and industry partners. This includes efforts with the World Institute for Nuclear Security (WINS) on promoting certified training and gender equality among nuclear security personnel.

We recognize the importance of working towards the full, meaningful, and effective engagement and participation of women both in nuclear security policy and implementation.

Canada is providing $4.5M over the next 3 years to the WINS for work in this area.

We remain committed to helping ensure that the security of nuclear and other radioactive materials and facilities is managed by capable professionals.

Fourth, Canada has made several strides in enhancing our nuclear security domestically.

Canada has safely and successfully completed all commitments made at the 2012 Nuclear Security Summit.

From 2010 to 2023, as part of our repatriation campaign, Canada successfully returned over 520kg of US-origin highly-enriched uranium (HEU) to the US for downblending or disposal and a Joint Statement was also signed for additional cooperation.

Canada is pleased to announce that we have subscribed to the revised INFCIRC908 Joint Statement on Mitigating Insider Threats.

Moreover, as a global leader in nuclear forensics, Canada continues to develop its federal framework for nuclear forensics.

Co-Presidents,

Canada steadfastly supports the IAEA’s central role in assisting Member States to strengthen their nuclear security regimes.

At present, the Nuclear Security Fund is financing important capacity-building using voluntary funds. This is essential work in nuclear security, and we strongly encourage other states to contribute to the NSF.

We know that nuclear energy will play an important role in rising global energy demands, including in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals. Nuclear security must meet these challenges head on by continuing to facilitate access to nuclear energy.

Co-Presidents, we have a shared responsibility to ensure that nuclear security is as strong as possible as the threat posed by nuclear security risks transcends borders and their potential impacts can affect all states.

We need nuclear to fulfill our Sustainable Development Goals and we need nuclear security to ensure we succeed in their implementation.

Thank you.