26 April 1986 was the date when the world learned the name of Chornobyl. In the last 30 years it has become a synonym both for a terrible technological disaster and ecological catastrophe on a global scale.
This tragedy has taught mankind that technological progress can produce a bitter harvest. Chornobyl has become a reproach to the past and - at the same time – a painful warning for generations to come.
The whole world realised the horrific consequences of this disaster, one which produced hundreds of times more radiation than the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki combined. And today, 30 years after, Chornobyl is once again demanding the world's attention, reminding us of the dangers of the peaceful atom and how vigilant the world needs to be in its interaction with technology and the environment.
These consequences cannot be ignored as they still affect the health of all those who live on the contaminated territories and need medical assistance, those who were resettled and need moral and humanitarian help, as well as children who in the third generation suffer from cancer and immune system diseases.
We are very grateful to all friends of Ukraine in the United Kingdom who continue to help us in alleviating the consequences of the Chornobyl catastrophe.
Today, the construction of a new safe confinement at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant is underway. The confinement, due for completion next year, will isolate the destroyed power generating unit from the surrounding environment.
The imperatives of strengthening nuclear safety and overcoming the consequences of the Chornobyl catastrophe will encourage more active involvement among the world community in solving the remaining problems in this sphere.
I believe that this year’s commemorative events will open up a new phase of international cooperation aimed at turning the "Shelter” into an ecologically safe system. In the very near future Chornobyl will be known not only as the site of a nuclear disaster, but as a world-renowned scientific and research centre which will help keep the world safe: an unexpected lesson of hope from a nuclear tragedy.