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Mr ElBaradei said the IAEA must focus on improving its Incident and Emergency Centre (IEC)* so as to enhance its accident response capabilities and to provide more effective support for member states, especially for new entrants to nuclear power.

Nuclear safety performance worldwide is steadily improving, said Mr ElBaradei. "But the risk of nuclear accidents or malicious acts can never be eliminated and there can be no room for complacency."

He also told the meeting that expectations for the use of nuclear power continue to rise, with growth targets being raised in China and Russia. Asia remains the focus of growth in nuclear power and the ending of restrictions on India's nuclear trade should allow "an acceleration of its planned expansion of nuclear power", Mr ElBaradei said.

He also outlined plans for the establishment of non-political multinational mechanisms to assure access for all countries to nuclear fuel and reactor technology. He circulated, at the request of Russia, a proposal for a low enriched uranium reserve to be used by member states. The proposal provides assured export licences and covers all long-term cost.

* The IEC, established in 2005, is the IAEA's focal point for responding to nuclear or radiological incidents and emergencies and for promoting improvement in member states' emergency response and preparedness. It superseded the former Emergency Response Centre and its functions have been extended to include: incident reporting, coordinating prompt assistance in the case of a nuclear security incident, and providing technical support to the IAEA's division of public information in the case of an event of safety or security concern to the media.