“Nuclear Guard” Next Secretary General “In a firm manner” on nuclear development issues, November 30, 19:18

IAEA, the so-called “nuclear guard,” Gross Secretary General of the International Atomic Energy Agency responded to NHK's independent interview. Mr. Gross said, “I will be fair and have a decisive attitude,” in response to nuclear development issues such as Iran.

Rafael Grossi, who has worked on nuclear issues at the Argentine Ministry of Foreign Affairs and international organizations, was elected Secretary General of Amano last year as the IAEA Secretary General for the first time as a South American resident, and next month 3 I will officially take office on the day.

Mr. Gross said about North Korea ’s nuclear issue in response to NHK ’s interview on the 29th, “The IAEA inspector has been issued by North Korea for more than 10 years, and no information has been obtained, resulting in a large gap.” He expressed his sense of crisis in the current situation where he was unable to grasp the actual situation of nuclear development.

After that, he said, “Once the political agreement between the United States and North Korea has been finalized, it will immediately enable IAEA inspection activities in North Korea,” and the verification of the US-North Korea negotiations over denuclearization will continue. I emphasized that I wanted to

He said he wanted to build a constructive relationship with Iran, which will strengthen nuclear development, but said, “I will be fair and take a decisive attitude. IAEA needs to work very seriously.” Clarified the idea of ​​responding with a strict attitude.

In addition, Mr. Gross said that Korea must criticize Japan ’s response to the treatment of water that continues to accumulate at the Fukushima Daiichi NPS. I must say that the Japanese government is working responsibly. ”

Mr. Gross is considered to be close to the United States in terms of Iran, and so much attention has been paid to how severe his attitude toward Iran and North Korea will strengthen nuclear development.

Nuclear Disarmament Expert

Rafael Grossi is 58 years old. Born in Argentina, this is the first IAEA Executive Director for South Americans.

After joining the Argentine Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1985, he worked for the OPCW = Chemical Weapons Prohibition Organization. In 2010, he moved to IAEA and supported the then Secretary General Amano. Furthermore, since 2013, he has been known as an expert on nuclear disarmament, serving as an ambassador to the Argentine delegation in Vienna and taking charge of IAEA.

Mr. Gross, who was also selected as the chair of the NPT = Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty to be held in New York next year, was elected as the IAEA Secretary-General and difficult to serve concurrently. I am going to do that.

Mr. Gross announced his first candidacy in July when the election of the successor was held following the death of Secretary-General Amano. The election of the Secretary-General was disputed by four candidates, but in the fourth vote last month 29, Mr. Gross won more than two-thirds of the 35 board members, He was elected the next secretary general.

Mr. Grossi will be officially approved by the next secretary at the IAEA special meeting in Vienna on the 2nd of next month, and will be appointed as the 6th secretary from 3rd.

Mr. Gross "Deep impact in Hiroshima and Nagasaki"

Grossi said about Japan: “When I was still a very young diplomat, I had the opportunity to visit Hiroshima and Nagasaki. I was deeply shocked and my mind and heart never disappeared. "He said that his visit to Hiroshima and Nagasaki was the starting point for tackling the field of nuclear disarmament.

He also mentioned that Pope Francisco, a Roman Catholic church from Argentina, who visited me, visited Hiroshima and Nagasaki, saying, “The Pope, who is a spiritual source for many people in the world, should not forget. You can say that it is natural that for nuclear weapons, there is a difference in thought and political approach, but what is important is how humanity will suffer. I have to think at the center, Hiroshima and Nagasaki are just exemplifying that. ”

“Japan is an important member of IAEA. It has contributed financially and technically, and my predecessor, Amano, has left a historic heritage. "Has a special meaning," and expressed his willingness to come to Japan early next year to exchange opinions with the Japanese government.

Grossi also said, “We must tackle nuclear non-proliferation in a world that was unforeseeable a few years ago, with more nuclear activities and materials, and new technologies and cyber threats.” He expressed a sense of crisis in the current state of the world around nuclear weapons.

And next year, every five years, Grossi said that the NPT = Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference will be held, which will determine the major direction of nuclear disarmament in the world, “NPT is the very pillar of the international order. The world has been in order for the past 50 years, and I will also be involved from the IAEA's standpoint. The review meeting must lead to success. "

IAEA "Nuclear Guard"

IAEA is an organization established in 1957 to prevent the diversion of nuclear energy to military purposes and promote peaceful use. The headquarters is located in the Austrian capital of Vienna, and specialist staff members conduct inspections of nuclear facilities and are called “nuclear guards”.

As an organization that is indispensable for preventing the spread of nuclear weapons and their technologies, Japan and other countries around the world are supporting them. As of 2019, 171 countries have joined.

In 2005, the nuclear non-proliferation system was shaken by nuclear developments such as North Korea and Iran, and IAEA and then Secretary General El Baladai won the Nobel Peace Prize, and their role was further expected.

From 2009, Mr. Noya Amano became the first Japanese to become the secretary general, and in response to the nuclear development issues in Iran and North Korea, We worked to improve the safety of nuclear power plants.

In addition, Amano put “Nuclear Energy for Peace and Development” as a slogan, and IAEA has made every effort to disseminate nuclear technology to developing countries, such as radiation therapy for cancer and infectious diseases. .