IAEA DG Grossi to World Bank: Global Consensus Calls for Nuclear Expansion This Needs Financial Support

To achieve sustainable development and prosperity, the world needs an abundance of clean, reliable and sustainable energy. Now, for the first time in history, a new consensus is urging the accelerated deployment of nuclear energy, along with other low emission technologies, to achieve deep and rapid decarbonization.

Speaking in an exchange with members of the World Bank Group Executive Board in Washington, IAEA Director General, Rafael Mariano Grossi, shared the IAEA's perspective on nuclear energy and said the IAEA stands ready, upon request, to provide technical support to MDBs, particularly on nuclear infrastructure development including nuclear safety, security and safeguards.

"From Africa to Asia, countries seeking to add nuclear to their energy mix need technical and financial support. With its technical expertise, the IAEA accompanies them throughout their nuclear journeys, helping them to establish the infrastructure for a safe, secure and sustainable nuclear power programme. But financing remains a hurdle. While the private sector will need to increasingly contribute to financing, multilateral development banks such as the World Bank can advance sustainable development by assessing nuclear project bankability and contributing lending at affordable rates," Mr Grossi said.