Argentine Foreign Minister Santiago Cafiero opened the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) plenary meeting in Buenos Aires this Thursday, saying that nuclear development is a “vector of industrialization.” 

At the event, where Energy secretary Flavia Royón and NSG president Gustavo Ainchil were present, Cafiero also highlighted the importance of the meeting “so all the group’s State members guarantee the safety all countries need and demand regarding nuclear energy development.” 

The group is formed by 48 nuclear energy supplying countries, and its goal is contributing to the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons through the implementation of export guidelines related to nuclear and dual use technologies. Argentina joined the NSG in 1994, and is currently group president for the 2022-2023 period. It also is the only member to have held the position four times, with previous terms in 1996, 2014 and 2015.

Cafiero explained that Argentina is finishing the construction of Carem, the first nuclear reactor entirely  designed and built in the country, saying the goal is to “advance carbon-free energies but also other industries that improve people’s quality of life.” 

He also stated that Argentina has signed the Non-Proliferation Treaty regarding nuclear weapons, and the Tlatelolco agreement, adding that the country “has always contributed to keep our region free of nuclear weapons.”

Secretary Royon, in turn, said that nuclear energy today is presented as a source of “clean, affordable, reliable and sustainable energy” that contributes to the fulfillment of the Sustainable Development Goals regarding global warming and climate change.

“Argentina is in a position to be considered a responsible supplier of nuclear reactors, research and radioisotopes to different countries in all continents.”

– With information from Télam