Undersecretary Silli in Vienna for the 68th IAEA General Conference

Undersecretary of State Giorgio Silli led the Italian delegation at the 68^th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which is taking place from today until 20 September in Vienna.

"We strongly reiterate our call for the Russian Federation to immediately withdraw all military presence and allow the legitimate Ukrainian authorities to regain control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant," Silli stated today during the plenary session, condemning Russia's illegitimate occupation of the site and highlighting the ongoing nuclear safety risks arising from the occupation. He also emphasised the importance of the IAEA's presence in Ukraine, reaffirming Italy's full support for the Agency's activities and its Director General, Rafael Mariano Grossi.

The Undersecretary further urged Tehran to fully cooperate with the IAEA on the nuclear dossier, expressing hope for a return to the full implementation of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA). He also strongly condemned North Korea for its nuclear and missile programme, which violates United Nations Security Council resolutions. Silli highlighted Italy's significant financial and political contribution to the IAEA and mentioned the upcoming "World Fusion Energy Group" meeting, to be held in Rome on 6 November, which will provide a key opportunity to discuss the potential of fusion energy.

In a side meeting, the Undersecretary and Director General Grossi discussed nuclear safety in the context of Russia's aggression in Ukraine, the Iranian nuclear dossier, and further deepened cooperation between Italy and the IAEA. Finally, Undersecretary Silli took part in the Scientific Forum "Atoms4Food - Better Agriculture for Better Life," inaugurating the Italian pavilion and, alongside Grossi, launching the "Atoms4Food & Gender Mainstreaming" event, co-organised by Italy and the IAEA's Women in Nuclear association.