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Attendance of State Minister for Foreign Affairs TSUJI at the International Conference on Nuclear Security (ICONS) organized by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) (Outline)
The International Conference on Nuclear Security (ICONS 2024) was organized by the IAEA in Vienna from May 20 to 24, and State Minister for Foreign Affairs TSUJI Kiyoto attended its ministerial-level meeting held on the first day, May 20, on behalf of the Government of Japan.
This was the fourth conference on nuclear security organized by the IAEA, and its purpose was to discuss measures to further strengthen global nuclear security and to promote the sharing of knowledge among countries.
1 Ministerial-level meeting
To the representatives of each country on behalf of Japan, State Minister Tsuji delivered a speech.
In his speech, State Minister Tsuji stated that in parallel with the expansion of the peaceful use of nuclear energy, each country promoting such use must raise its awareness of nuclear security, such as the risk of proliferation of nuclear weapons and nuclear materials to non-state actors, and thus needs to make efforts to ensure the highest level of nuclear security.
He also stated that regarding Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, the IAEA Director General's “seven indispensable pillars for ensuring nuclear safety and security during an armed conflict” should not be compromised and our attitude to stand with Ukraine will never waiver.
In addition, he explained that for the purpose of ensuring the highest level of nuclear security, Japan supports the universalization of the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material and its amendment and also has embarked on various efforts in practice.
He concluded by expressing his determination that Japan will continue to contribute to ensuring the highest level of nuclear security in the international community in collaboration with the IAEA and other countries.
The Statement by the Co-Presidents of the ICONS 2024
was released at the ministerial-level meeting.
2 Meetings with dignitaries from other governments and international organizations
During the Conference, State Minister Tsuji met with the following dignitaries from other governments and an international organization. Its summary is as follows:.
(1) United Staes of America: Mr. David Turk, Deputy Secretary of Energy
State Minister Tsuji stated that Japan is promoting the use of nuclear energy from the perspective of economic security and the realization of Green Transformation (GX), and that a consistent foreign and security policy is indispensable for the advancement of nuclear energy policy as an energy source. He also expressed his hope that Japan and the U.S. will further deepen technical and human resource development cooperation in this field in relation to countermeasures against climate change.
In response, Deputy Secretary Turk said that the U.S. and Japan can cooperate closely on various fronts, especially in the promotion of clean energy, where the two countries have cooperated for many years, and that both countries can further reinforce their cooperation in the promotion of nuclear energy based on science.
(2) United Kingdom: Mr. Andrew Bowie MP, Minister for Nuclear and Renewables
State Minister Tsuji welcomed the efforts made by the UK and Japan in various fields through the UK joining the CPTPP and the signing of the Convention on the Establishment of the “Global Combat Air Programme – GCAP International Government Organisation”. He also expressed his desire to cooperate together on energy policy, including the use of nuclear energy from the perspective of addressing climate change based on the Declaration to Triple Nuclear Energy Capacity signed at COP 28.
In response, Minister Bowie said that economic growth and decarbonization are compatible, and it is significant to disseminate the benefits of nuclear energy. He also stated that he would like to hold regular discussions between the UK and Japan to cooperate with each other.
(3) France: Mr. François Jacq, Chairman of the CEA (Commissariat à l’énergie atomique – Nuclear energy Committee)
State Minister Tsuji welcomed the announcement last year by the leaders of France and Japan to strengthen cooperation in the field of civil nuclear energy, based on the Roadmap on Japan - France Cooperation under the “Exceptional Partnership” and expressed his hope for the development of cooperation between Japan and France in this field to continue, including through the Japan - France Nuclear Cooperation Committee which held its twelfth meeting last month.
In response, Chairman Jacq said that he was very pleased to chair the Japan - France Committee and that nuclear energy plays an important role in achieving carbon neutrality, as stated by President Macron. He also commended Japan's efforts in the aftermath of the TEPCO’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station accident.
(4) Sweden: Mr. Daniel Westlén, State Secretary to the Minister for Climate and the Environment
State Minister Tsuji expressed his hope for greater cooperation between Japan and Sweden, especially in the economic field, including the energy sector, in order to promote Japan's Nordic Diplomacy Initiative while also referring to Minister Kamikawa's visit to Sweden in January of this year.
In response, State Secretary Westlén stated that as a nuclear expert himself, he is closely monitoring the domestic and international debate on the promotion of nuclear energy, and that he would like to strengthen the cooperation between Sweden and Japan to promote the peaceful uses of nuclear energy in various ways, including in the medical field.
(5) Kazakhstan: Mr. Sungat Esimkhanov, Vice-Minister of Energy
State Minister Tsuji appreciated and commended Kazakhstan's efforts as Co-President of the ministerial-level meeting of ICONS 2024 and expressed his desire to strengthen bilateral relations based on the strategic partnership with Kazakhstan, which plays a leading role in the stability and prosperity of the Central Asian region. He also expressed his hope for greater cooperation between the two countries to promote the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
In response, Vice-Minister Esimkhanov showed his appreciation for Japan’s support for ICONS 2024 Co-Presidents’ Statement and stated that the two countries can further deepen cooperation in various areas, including nuclear energy, medicine, natural resources, and that he hopes to continue close communication.
(6) IAEA: H.E. Mr. Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency
State Minister Tsuji stated that the peaceful uses of nuclear energy are indispensable in relation to countermeasures against climate change and that the role of the IAEA is particularly important as the demand for energy expands. He also stated that he would like to continue to cooperate with the IAEA on a wide range of fields, while closely following up on the results of the discussions during the Director General's visit to Japan in March, including the IAEA review of the discharge of ALPS treated water into the sea.
In response, Director General Grossi stated that IAEA will continue to be involved in the discharge of ALPS treated water into the sea from the standpoint of an independent international organization and that he looked forward to Japan's involvement and contribution to the IAEA's efforts in Ukraine and Africa, among others.
(7) Other business
State Minister Tsuji exchanged views with Japanese staff members of the international organizations.
Speech delivered by State Minister Tsuji on behalf of the Japanese government (Japanese (PDF) / English (PDF))