UN atomic chief backs nuclear power at COP28 amid global concerns

The global demand for nuclear energy is on the rise as a strategy to combat climate change and meet the increasing need for electricity, reflecting a shift in mindset across generations, according to the head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog. Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, expressed this perspective during an interview at the COP28 climate talks. He highlighted the significance of nuclear power’s inclusion at the summit, indicating a notable departure from its once-taboo status, especially in the aftermath of the Three Mile Island and Chernobyl disasters.
Nevertheless, he acknowledged the ongoing challenge his agency faces in monitoring nuclear programs in various countries, particularly in the case of Iran following the breakdown of its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.
“In the past, this task was simpler when there was international consensus, and Iran could perceive it not as political pressure but as a widely shared approach aimed at preventing the introduction of nuclear weapons into the Middle East—a region already one of the most volatile in the world,” stated Grossi.
Having just arrived in Dubai from Paris, Grossi revealed discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron about an anticipated nuclear announcement. Grossi suggested that with the support of world powers, such an arrangement could make nuclear energy more accessible to a greater number of nations. Grossi highlighted ongoing safety concerns, pointing to the war in Ukraine targeting nuclear reactors.
However, he acknowledged the persistent political resistance to nuclear issues, citing Japan’s discharge of treated wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean.