STATEMENT BY FIRST SECRETARY (POLITICAL) BRANDON LIM, AT THE 81ST UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY PLENARY DEBATE ON AGENDA ITEM 91, REPORT OF THE INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY, 23 OCTOBER 2026

Thank you, Mr President. 

          We live in an increasingly divided and uncertain world, characterised by great power contestation and conflict, growing risks of nuclear proliferation, supply chain disruptions, and a worsening climate crisis. These developments, coupled with growing global energy demands and rapid advances in nuclear technologies, have lent greater salience to the work of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). 

2        The IAEA plays an indispensable role in maintaining international confidence in the safe, secure, and peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology. Singapore commends the Agency’s achievements over the past year as highlighted in its annual report. Under the leadership of Director-General Rafael Grossi, the IAEA has continued to discharge its vital responsibilities in upholding global standards for nuclear safety and security, carrying out important verification and monitoring work, while working with a diverse range of partners internationally to help Member States build capacity to harness the benefits of nuclear science and technology. Singapore strongly supports the Agency’s authority, independence, and technical credibility in these areas and is pleased to co-sponsor the draft resolution “Report of the IAEA” again this year. Allow me to make three points. 

3         First, nuclear safety and security must remain paramount as nuclear reactor technologies continue to develop. To remain effective, international safety standards and national regulatory frameworks must keep pace with technological advancement. For Singapore, any consideration of nuclear energy deployment must be underpinned by robust safety standards and regulatory capabilities. Next year, we will partner with the IAEA to undertake an Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) Phase 1 Mission to assess our readiness to make an informed decision on the potential deployment of advanced nuclear energy technologies. At the regional level, the growing interest in nuclear energy is also an opportunity for stronger cooperation between ASEAN Member States and the Agency. We welcome the ASEAN-IAEA Practical Arrangements and efforts to deepen cooperation through the proposed ASEAN-IAEA Strategic Partnership on Nuclear Energy, Safety and Governance. As Singapore assumes the Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2027, we look forward to working with ASEAN Member States and the Agency to further strengthen regulatory readiness and oversight, emergency preparedness and response, radiation monitoring networks and information-sharing arrangements, and institutional capacity-building. 

4         Singapore commends the IAEA’s efforts to uphold nuclear safety and security over the past year, particularly in Ukraine. We remain deeply concerned about the precarious situation at Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, and stress the importance of upholding the Director-General's Seven Indispensable Pillars and Five Concrete Principles. We urge all parties to the conflict to refrain from any action that could jeopardise the safety and security of nuclear facilities. 

5        Second, the IAEA’s independent safeguards mandate remains instrumental to the credibility and integrity of the global nuclear non-proliferation regime. As the sole competent international authority responsible for verifying States’ fulfilment of their safeguards obligations, the Agency plays a fundamental role in building international trust and confidence. It is therefore essential that the Agency is able to discharge its verification mandate effectively, independently and impartially, with the full cooperation of Member States. Singapore urges all States Parties to the NPT to fully implement their obligations under their respective Comprehensive Safeguards Agreements (CSAs) and the Additional Protocol (AP). We call on all States that have not yet done so to conclude a CSA or AP without delay. 

6         Third, the benefits of nuclear science and technology must be accessible to all. Singapore supports the inalienable right of all States Parties to the peaceful uses of nuclear energy under Article IV of the NPT, in conformity with Articles I and II. We commend the IAEA's Technical Cooperation Programme for enabling Member States, particularly developing countries, to harness nuclear science and technology for sustainable development. Singapore has pledged our full Technical Cooperation Fund target share for 2027. We urge all Member States to make their contributions in full and on time. 

7        Realising the full potential of nuclear science and technology requires sustained investment in institutional capabilities, human capital, and technical expertise. Singapore is committed to these efforts through our longstanding partnership with the Agency. We are pleased that Singapore’s National Radiochemistry Laboratory was designated as ASEAN’s first IAEA Collaborating Centre on Radiochemistry this past April, and that the National Cancer Centre Singapore and Singapore General Hospital were designated as the 21^st IAEA Rays of Hope Anchor Centre in September. Together with the Singapore-IAEA Third Country Training Programme, these partnerships reflect our commitment to strengthening regional capabilities in important areas such as nuclear medicine and radiation monitoring. 

Mr President, 

8        To conclude, as the nuclear landscape continues to evolve, the international community must continue to support the IAEA in discharging its mandate effectively, impartially, and for the benefit of all Member States. Singapore stands ready to work with the Agency and all delegations towards this objective. 

9        Thank you.