Hungary is ready to share its experiences and three decades of expertise to assist countries which has recently introduced nuclear power to their energy portfolios, said Mr Pál Kovács, Minister of State for Energy Affairs and resigning Vice-Chairman of the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on 9 September, the first day of the Board’s 3-day meeting in Vienna.

In his opening speech, Director General Yukiya Amano emphasized that nuclear energy generation will steadily increase in the next 20 years according to the IAEA’s latest forecast. In addition to the existing 434 nuclear power plants worldwide an additional 69 are under construction, the majority in Asia. The Director General pointed out that even countries without nuclear power stations realise the importance of nuclear security measures for nuclear security development. Therefore, the ongoing work with member states must be continued in accordance with the IAEA’s educational and training strategy on radiation protection, transportation and waste management.

Minister of State Pál Kovács, who has served as the Vice-Chairman for a year, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity provided to Hungary by his membership on the Board of Governors in terms of professional cooperation and development in the field of nuclear energy. He vowed that beyond the steps taken so far Hungary will continue to support the objectives of the IAEA and its members to promote peaceful nuclear cooperation at an international level. Among the obligatory tasks, nuclear education and training programmes require special attention and intense activity.

Hungary has continuously transferred its nuclear technical skills and expertise since the autumn of 2012, with the Paks Maintenance Training Centre playing a central role, the resigning Vice-Chairman reminded the board members. The keen interest enabled already the fourth group from Vietnam to begin its studies in the training facilities this autumn.

Mr Kovács explained that Hungary’s National Energy Strategy will rely on nuclear energy in the long run as currently there is no suitable alternative. The European Union also needs to reduce energy dependence and the use of nuclear energy is a proven and reliable solution.

The IAEA’s Board of Governors also discussed nuclear security measures, the nuclear protection plan and the related report, the progress in the filed of the non-energetic use of nuclear power mainly for medical purposes, and the results achieved in nuclear science, technology and applications, as well as the uniform state level approach and introduction of a nuclear security system. The members also adopted a position on the assessment of the current situation in Korea, Syria and Iran for the IAEA’s General Meeting to be held next week.

Hungary was elected member of the Board of Governors for two years in 2011. Previously, it was a member of the Agency between 2003 and 2005. In addition to representing Hungary, Mr Kovács has also acted as Vice-Chairman in the past year.

(Ministry of National Development Communications Department)