At the IAEA General Conference, Lithuania highlighted nuclear safety and shared its experience in decommissioning the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant
At the 70th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna from 14 to 18 September, Lithuania called for stronger nuclear and radiation safety, expressed support for Ukraine, and highlighted unresolved safety issues at the Belarusian nuclear power plant. Lithuania also shared its experience in decommissioning the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant (INPP).
Gabriel Gorbačevski, Vice Minister of Energy and head of the Lithuanian delegation, delivered Lithuania’s national statement at the plenary session. The statement reaffirmed Lithuania’s commitment to enhancing nuclear and radiation safety and recognised the IAEA’s role in upholding international nuclear safety standards.
Lithuania’s statement reiterated strong support for Ukraine and condemned the threat posed by Russia’s war to Ukraine’s nuclear facilities. It also restated concerns about unresolved safety issues at the Belarusian nuclear power plant near the Lithuanian border.
At the margins of the Conference, the Lithuanian delegation met with Karine Herviou, Deputy Director General for Nuclear Safety at the IAEA, to discuss continued cooperation on decommissioning INPP, safe radioactive waste management, and enhanced emergency preparedness. They also explored potential IAEA expert support for assessing possible small modular reactor (SMR) deployment in Lithuania.
Discussions also addressed the situation at Ukraine’s nuclear facilities and safety concerns at the Belarusian plant. Lithuania supported ongoing IAEA efforts in Ukraine and offered to provide Lithuanian experts for IAEA missions if needed.
Lithuania also highlighted ongoing safety issues at the Belarusian nuclear power plant, the lack of information on equipment failures recorded at the plant, and Belarus’s plans to further develop its nuclear energy programme at the same site. It was emphasised that Belarus must address the outstanding safety issues at the existing power plant and that, when planning new nuclear energy projects, it must properly assess safety and ensure cross-border consultation.
At the General Conference, Lithuania presented progress and lessons learned from the Ignalina NPP decommissioning to the international community. The project is now entering a critical and technically complex phase: dismantling the cores of the two RBMK-1500 reactors.
IAEA brings together 182 member states and promotes the safe, reliable and peaceful use of nuclear energy and nuclear technology worldwide.
