The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director-General, Rafael Grossi, has issued a stark warning to ambassadors about the recent drone attacks on Europe’s largest nuclear facility, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) in Ukraine. Grossi stated that these attacks represent a significant escalation in the risk to nuclear safety and security.
Despite the superficial damage caused by the drone strikes on the Unit 6 reactor building, Grossi emphasized that the successful targeting of the reactor containment sets a dangerous precedent. He warned that the world is now “dangerously close to a nuclear accident” and urged immediate action to minimize the risk.
In response to the escalating threats, the IAEA has maintained a continuous presence at the ZNPP and other nuclear plants in Ukraine. The recent “cold shutdown” of all six reactors at the plant was carried out for the first time since late 2022, enhancing safety measures in case of cooling system failures.
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has taken a toll on nuclear safety, with multiple attacks on the ZNPP in the past 10 days. Both sides have been accused of targeting the plant, raising concerns about the potential for a catastrophic nuclear accident.
Meanwhile, in Nigeria, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called for intensified child protection efforts on the 10th anniversary of the Chibok abductions. With ongoing threats to children’s safety in schools, UNICEF stressed the need for improved safeguarding measures to ensure a safe learning environment for all Nigerian children.
As global temperatures rise, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is also addressing the impact of plant pests and diseases on the global food supply. The FAO panel is working on early detection and coordinated control efforts to prevent irreversible damage to crops caused by changing weather patterns and warmer growing conditions worldwide.