Mr. Chairman,
Cuba supports the significant contribution of the International Atomic Energy Agency to peace and sustainable development, including in the fight against the effects of climate change, food insecurity and diseases.
We reiterate that it should be a priority for the Agency to allocate the efforts and resources of the IAEA on the employment and dissemination of nuclear applications, to improve living conditions, promote sustainable development and environmental protection.
We are pleased to note that the Agency has maintained in its work a proper balance among the three pillars.
We highlight the incorporation of Granada, another sister country of the Caribbean, into the IAEA.
Mr. Chairman,
The IAEA and its Technical Cooperation Programme have an important role in the achievement of two transcendental global agreements: the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
The IAEA Technical Cooperation Programme is the main means of promoting the peaceful use of nuclear energy. This was confirmed by the excellent results of the First International Conference on Technical Cooperation, which was held in May of this year. We support the holding of these Conferences on a regular basis.
Cuba attaches great importance to technical cooperation with the IAEA.
We highlight the excellent relations between the IAEA and Cuba, evidenced by the successful visit to our country of the Director General of the IAEA, in November 2016, within the framework of the program of celebrations for the 60th anniversary of the Agency.
Cuba recognizes the significant contribution of the application of nuclear technologies in key areas for the economy and society, such as human health, with particular emphasis on the program of cancer control, food security, agriculture and environmental protection.
In this regard, we reaffirm our opposition to those measures aimed at prohibiting or limiting the legitimate right of States to gain access to and use nuclear energy, as well as the technologies and knowledge associated with it, for peaceful purposes.
We strongly reject, and demand the immediate suppression of any type of limitations and restrictions on exports of materials, equipment and technologies for peaceful nuclear activities to developing countries.
Mr. Chairman,
The effective management of nuclear physical security allows neither exclusions nor selectivity. International standards on nuclear security should be adopted within the framework of the IAEA, as a result of transparent and inclusive multilateral negotiations, with the participation of all States.
Cuba reiterates that the leading role of the IAEA in the search for agreed approaches on this issue should not be minimized or unknown.
In this regard, we welcome the successful conclusion of the IAEA International Conference on Nuclear Security, held from 5 to 9 December 2016, in Vienna.
We likewise emphasize that each State is responsible for nuclear physical security and the establishment of measures to strengthen it.
Cuba deposited the instruments of acceptance of the Convention on Nuclear Safety and of accession to the Joint Convention in the month of July, which entered into force for Cuba on October 1st, 2017.
We welcome the entry into force of the Amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Materials, which will promote greater protection of nuclear facilities and materials, facilitating cooperation among States parties to prevent and combat crimes regarding the use of radioactive and nuclear materials, ratifying the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
Mr. Chairman,
Cuba welcomes the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action in the Islamic Republic of Iran. We emphasize that it constitutes a clear example that dialogue and negotiations are the appropriate ways to solve differences and achieve satisfactory agreements for all parties involved.
We reiterate that the application of selective approaches that favor horizontal proliferation and ignore vertical proliferation and disarmament will not lead to eliminating the threat posed by a terrorist attack with nuclear materials.
We reaffirm our support for the establishment of a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in the Middle East. In this regard, we deeply regret that the Conference planned for this purpose has not yet been held.
Mr. Chairman,
To conclude, Cuba would like to congratulate the Director General, Mr. Yukiya Amano, on his re-election by acclamation for a new mandate. This is an acknowledgement to his leadership in the promotion of nuclear applications and technical cooperation of the Agency under the premise "Atoms for Peace and Development".
Thank you very much