Mr. President, 

On behalf of my delegation, I would like to thank Director General Yukiya Amano for his report. 

The Report of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is an important publication for gaining an appreciation of the essential task being performed by the IAEA, both in promoting and ensuring, peaceful use of nuclear energy.    

India has co-sponsored the draft resolution A/72/L.6 on the activities of the IAEA. Today's debate is an important occasion to reflect upon the critical role the IAEA has played in discharging its mandate and supporting countries in their pursuit of nuclear power in a safe and secure way and its technical cooperation activities, bringing nuclear applications to its Member States. 

Mr. President, 

India regards Nuclear Power as an important energy option to meet the challenges of increased demand, concerns over climate change, volatile fossil fuel prices and security of energy supply. We note that 10 new reactors were connected to the grid in 2016 and that global Generating capacity of nuclear energy reached 392 gigawatts electrical at the end of 2016.  

We take note of the Agency's efforts on the role of Nuclear Technology to meet the 'climate-energy challenge'. We encourage the Agency to remain engaged in the activities which present balanced picture of the nuclear power and its mitigation potential against greenhouse gas emissions. We appreciate the agency's role in providing integrated support to member states; considering, planning or starting a nuclear power programme. In this context, the recent (30 Oct-1 Nov) Nuclear Power Conference in Abu Dhabi reiterated the important contribution of nuclear power in meeting the targets set out in the Paris Agreement on climate change. 

Mr. President, 

India attaches great importance to the Agency's work in different fields of nuclear science. We contribute to these activities through participation in the Technical Meetings and Coordinated Research Projects. Agency's program and achievements under nuclear applications in food and agriculture, human health and nutrition, water resources management, protection of the environment, and industry are most helpful in meeting the needs of developing countries. We will continue to provide our support to these Agency programs by way of services of experts and offer for training slots in reputed institutions for experts from Member States. 

Mr. President, 

We support the central role of the IAEA in the area of Nuclear Security. India was an early ratifier of the amendment to the Convention on Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM) and is pleased to see the entry into force of the amendment last year. We encourage all those member states that have not yet joined or ratified the CPPNM and its 2005 amendment to do so at the earliest. We are also pleased to note that the Agency is organizing International Conference on Physical Protection of Nuclear Material and Nuclear Facilities next week (13-17 Nov 2017) in Vienna.  

We take note of successful organization of the International Conference on Nuclear Security by the Agency in December 2016 in Vienna, attended by some 2100 participants including 47 Ministerial level representations from 139 Member States. The Agency should build on the findings of the conference in close consultations with Member States.    

We note with satisfaction the financial pledges of 47.4 million Euros (in 2016) towards the Agency's Nuclear Security Fund by the Member States and urge for more participation from Member states towards the Agency's Nuclear Security Fund.  

India remains committed to supporting the work of the IAEA. 

Thank You, Mr. President