Portugal is a country that understands the importance of the ocean and is a constructive voice for multilateralism, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said in Lisbon this week. Mr Grossi visited Portugal's capital for three days to speak with the country's leaders - including the President and Foreign Minister - and to take part in the 2022 UN Ocean Conference held in the city.

Meeting with the country's President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa on Wednesday, Mr Grossi said Portugal was a valued IAEA partner and thanked the President for Portugal's support to a wide range of IAEA activities, from the promotion of sustainable development in Lusophone countries and beyond, to nuclear non-proliferation.

In a meeting with João Cravinho, Portugal's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Grossi discussed the IAEA's involvement in addressing ocean acidification and marine plastic pollution. He also thanked Portugal for its support to the Agency's work on the safety and security at Ukraine's nuclear sites.

"Portugal strongly supports urgent access of IAEA to the Zaporizhzhya nuclear installations, and to Iranian nuclear facilities," Mr Cravinho said. The Minister described both situations as "currently very worrying."