The General Assembly,
Having received the report of the International Atomic Energy Agency to the General Assembly for the year 1991,
Taking note of the statement of the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency of 21 October 1992, which provides additional information on the main developments in the activities of the Agency during 1992,
Recognizing the importance of the work of the Agency to promote further the application of atomic energy for peaceful purposes, as envisaged in its statute,
Also recognizing the special needs of the developing countries for technical assistance by the Agency in order to benefit effectively from the application of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes as well as from the contribution of nuclear energy to their economic development,
Conscious of the importance of the work of the Agency in the implementation of safeguards provisions of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and other international treaties, conventions and agreements designed to achieve similar objectives, as well as in ensuring, as far as it is able, that the assistance provided by the Agency or at its request or under its supervision or control is not used in such a way as to further any military purpose, as stated in article II of its statute,
Further recognizing the importance of the work of the Agency on nuclear power, applications of nuclear methods and techniques, nuclear safety, radiological protection and radioactive waste management, including its work directed towards assisting developing countries in planning for the introduction of nuclear power in accordance with their needs,
Again stressing the need for the highest standards of safety in the design and operation of nuclear plants so as to minimize risks to life, health and the environment,
Noting the statements and actions of the Agency concerning non-compliance by Iraq with its non-proliferation obligations,
Bearing in mind resolutions GC(XXXVI)/RES/577 on the nuclear capabilities of South Africa, GC(XXXVI)/RES/579 on non-compliance by Iraq with its safeguards obligations, GC(XXXVI)/RES/582 on measures to strengthen international cooperation in matters relating to nuclear safety and radiological protection, GC(XXXVI)/RES/583 on revision of the Basic Safety Standards for Radiation Protection, GC(XXXVI)/RES/584 on education and training in radiation protection and nuclear safety, GC(XXXVI)/RES/585 on liability for nuclear damage, GC(XXXVI)/RES/586 on strengthening the effectiveness and improving the efficiency of the safeguards system, GC(XXXVI)/RES/587 on strengthening of the main activities of the Agency, GC(XXXVI)/RES/588 on practical utilization of food irradiation in developing countries, GC(XXXVI)/RES/592 entitled "Plan for producing potable water economically", and GC(XXXVI)/RES/601 on the application of safeguards of the Agency in the Middle East, adopted on 25 September 1992 by the General Conference of the Agency at its thirty-sixth regular session,
1. Takes note of the report of the International Atomic Energy Agency;
2. Affirms its confidence in the role of the Agency in the application of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes;
3. Urges all States to strive for effective and harmonious international cooperation in carrying out the work of the Agency, pursuant to its statute; in promoting the use of nuclear energy and the application of the necessary measures to strengthen further the safety of nuclear installations and to minimize risks to life, health and the environment; in strengthening technical assistance and cooperation for developing countries; and in ensuring the effectiveness and efficiency of the safeguards system of the Agency;
4. Welcomes the decisions taken by the Agency to strengthen its safeguards system;
5. Welcomes also the decisions taken by the Agency to strengthen its technical assistance and cooperation activities;
6. Commends the Director General of the Agency and his staff for their strenuous efforts in the implementation of Security Council resolutions 687 (1991) of 3 April 1991, 707 (1991) of 15 August 1991 and 715 (1991) of 11 October 1991, in particular the detection and destruction or otherwise rendering harmless of equipment and material which could be used for nuclear weapons;
7. Requests the Secretary-General to transmit to the Director General of the Agency the records of the forty-seventh session of the General Assembly relating to the activities of the Agency.
45th plenary meeting
22 October 1992
