Director General of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Mariano Grossi is in Washington on a five-day visit to the U.S. to discuss non-proliferation issues.
On Monday, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano held a meeting with Secretary of State Blinken to discuss pressing issues including Iran and North Korea.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi and Secretary Blinken discussed “important political issues” such as the Iran nuclear deal and the North Korean nuclear program.
IAEA Director General Grossi acknowledged the important role of the U.S. in support of the IAEA, and stated that “the United States is supporting as to our work, peaceful uses of nuclear energy.”
Secretary of State Antony Blinken also remarked that “the United States strongly supports the work of the IAEA. It is critical to helping to maintain international peace and stability. It’s obviously playing a vital role in monitoring Iran’s nuclear activities, and it plays a critical role in helping to forge cooperation on the peaceful uses of nuclear power”.
Secretary Blinken also highlighted the IAEA’s role in implementing the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, promoting “safe and secure use of nuclear technology”, and facing the “challenge of global climate change”.
IAEA Director General Grossi also underlined the importance of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, and said that “With a 24/7 inspector presence in Iran, the IAEA stands ready to continue playing its role as guarantor and verifier of the JCPOA and any future agreement”.
In this regard, Secretary of State Blinken also urged on the urgency to push “Iran to meet its nuclear verification obligations and commitments”, as well as to “cease its nuclear provocations, and return to the diplomacy”.
The U.S. is the largest contributor to the IAEA’s regular budget, and also provides extra-budgetary funding to the organization.
IAEA Director General Grossi said, “Ever since President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1953 first proposed the creation of an international atomic energy agency to promote the many peaceful uses of the atom while controlling its destructive power, the United States has consistently been a very active and generous supporter”.
“As countries’ demand increasing IAEA assistance to address the warming of the planet, disease outbreaks and other critical issues, such Member State backing is more important than ever,” Grossi added.
During his meetings, Grossi also held discussions on the IAEA initiatives to help prevent future pandemics and meet the climate change challenges.
On Tuesday, IAEA Director General Grossi visited Senate Foreign Relations Committee at the invitation of Chair Robert Menendez and ranking member James Risch. “Around a dozen senators attended the meeting on Capitol Hill, asking questions and exchanging views with Director General Grossi on non-proliferation matters,” IAEA’s Office of Public Information and Communication reported. IAEA chief also discussed the Iran nuclear deal and safeguard activities with the U.S. officials.
According to IAEA Public Information and Communication office, Director General Grossi will also discuss “the future of nuclear energy as well as nuclear safety and security” during his meetings with the officials from the Department of Energy and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Earlier in September, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi also met with the U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm at the 65th IAEA General Conference in Vienna, Austria. During the meeting, Secretary Granholm voiced “strong support for the IAEA’s nuclear energy applications, safety, safeguards and security missions”. Both sides also agreed to jointly promote the 2022 IAEA Nuclear Power Ministerial Conference to be held in October 2022 in Washington, DC.
