[VT Washington | September 4, 2025] U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright delivered the U.S. national statement today at the 69th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna, Austria, emphasizing the strategic role of nuclear energy in global energy development and technological innovation, while reaffirming the United States’ commitment to nuclear safety and nonproliferation.
In his remarks, Secretary Wright welcomed the Republic of Maldives as the newest IAEA member and noted that energy is a core driver of global economic growth, poverty reduction, and opportunity creation. He highlighted that artificial intelligence (AI), as a rapidly growing energy-intensive sector, requires reliable baseload power, and that commercial nuclear energy will play a key role in meeting this demand.
On U.S. domestic policy, Wright outlined four executive orders signed by President Trump aimed at revitalizing the U.S. nuclear industry, including modernizing nuclear regulation, expediting advanced reactor approvals, deploying reactors for national security purposes, and strengthening the nuclear industrial base. The U.S. aims to add 300 gigawatts of nuclear capacity by 2050 and is actively promoting the deployment of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) domestically and internationally.
Secretary Wright also highlighted U.S. efforts to expand nuclear cooperation abroad through Peaceful Nuclear Cooperation Agreements (123 Agreements) and Intergovernmental Agreements (IGAs), including partnerships with Thailand, Singapore, and Poland. These agreements are designed to enhance partner countries’ energy security while promoting U.S. nuclear safety and safeguards culture.
On international security, Wright reaffirmed U.S. support for the IAEA’s independent role in global nuclear safety and nonproliferation and specifically recognized the Agency’s efforts to maintain nuclear safety in Ukraine. Regarding Iran, he stated that Iran must fully dismantle its nuclear weapons pathways and fully cooperate with IAEA safeguards measures before the United States will consider resuming trade or cooperation.
In conclusion, Wright emphasized that the United States is committed to advancing peaceful nuclear energy worldwide and stressed that nuclear power is not only an energy tool but also a vital driver of global cooperation and technological progress.
