IAEA opens annual general conference

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Yukiya Amano, says the agency will play a key role in securing the safety of nuclear plants across the world.

Amano spoke at the annual IAEA general conference that opened in Vienna on Monday.

He began his speech by referring to the accident at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, and how it caused anxiety throughout the world, damaging confidence in nuclear power.

He said the most important thing now is to ensure transparency, build confidence and meet the high expectations of the public.

The IAEA Board of Governors approved the agency's first ever Action Plan on Nuclear Safety last week.

Amano called for a firm and sustained commitment from all member states to implement the Action Plan.

Later, the Japanese government sponsored a special session in response to requests by countries wanting to know more about the Fukushima accident.

Japanese officials explained the effort to decontaminate water, remove radioactive materials from contaminated soil and dispose of radioactive waste.

Some participants said the explanation was sufficient while others asked for more details about what happened immediately after the accident.

The IAEA general conference will end on Friday after adopting the Action Plan which calls for sending inspectors to member countries at their request and for monitoring the safety of nuclear plants on a regular basis.