2024-04-23 10:06:32
The first nuclear energy summit has started in Brussels, in which the Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan is also participating.
According to the correspondent of “Armenpress” in Brussels, Prime Minister Pashinyan emphasized in his speech that Armenia, as a country relying on nuclear energy production, firmly stands behind the consensus that nuclear energy is irreplaceable in the fight against climate change.
“Armenia recognizes the inalienable right of all states parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons to develop it for peaceful purposes, without discrimination and political obstacles,” the Prime Minister said.
Nikol Pashinyan noted that Armenia proudly joined the historic decision adopted at COP28, which recognized nuclear energy as one of the solutions to climate change, along with other low-carbon energy sources.
“Nuclear energy is the cornerstone of our strategy, which ensures both our country’s energy security and climate change mitigation. We welcome Director General Grossi’s efforts to bring nuclear energy to the forefront of high-level discussions aimed at mitigating climate change,” Nikol Pashinyan added in his speech.
The Prime Minister emphasized that nuclear energy plays an important role for Armenia and helps in the implementation of actions defined at the national level by the Paris Agreement. “Armenia, based on such experience and set priorities, has decided to extend the operation period of its nuclear power plant from 2026 to 2036. In December 2023, the Armenian government approved the plan to extend the operation period of the Armenian NPP. We are committed to timely and adequate measures to improve governance and security in cooperation with partner states and at the direction of the Agency. This extension will lay a solid foundation for a smooth transition to the new power unit after the end of the extended operational life of the NPP, which is our ultimate goal. In this regard, Armenia is committed to promoting close cooperation with both the International Atomic Energy Agency and partner countries and using experience to find the optimal solution for replacing the current power unit,” said Prime Minister Pashinyan.
Nikol Pashinyan noted that Armenia’s transparent and open policy of safe and peaceful use of nuclear energy will continue to guide the country’s efforts.
Heads of countries and governments participating in the summit will have the opportunity to share their vision of the key role of nuclear energy and the promotion of sustainable development, including national plans to fully utilize its potential.
Panel discussions at the summit, launched by the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Atoms4NetZero initiative, will showcase how innovation is furthering nuclear power’s competitiveness, usability and sustainability, as well as the opportunities and challenges of nuclear financing and a level playing field.
The summit follows the historic inclusion of nuclear power in the global fund agreed at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai in December 2023, which called for accelerating its deployment alongside other low-carbon energy sources.