Andrey Dapkyunas, Belarus’ permanent representative to the United Nations, informed the UN General Assembly at Monday's plenary meeting about the Belarusian government’s decision to build the country's first-ever nuclear power plant.

 

The decision was prompted by the need to ensure the nation's energy security and reduce carbon emissions, and also by increased public confidence in the safety of nuclear technologies, and the economic expediency of nuclear power generation, the press office of the Belarusian foreign ministry quoted Mr. Dapkyunas as saying.

Belarus will not limit itself to nuclear power, he stressed.

 

The country is a strong advocate of diversifying energy sources and supplies, including through the introduction of alternative and renewable energy technologies, Mr. Dapkyunas said.

 

Belarus is opposed to developed countries putting political pressure on developing states that want to have peaceful nuclear power, he said.

 

The role of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) increases in the face of modern challenges and threats, Mr. Dapkyunas said. The IAEA is a "unique international organization that ensures the necessary balance between the development of global nuclear power generation and the maintenance of the nuclear non-proliferation regime," he added.

 

The government also intends to continue close cooperation with the IAEA in providing relief to Belarus' areas that were affected by the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear accident, Mr. Dapkyunas said.