On January 13, 2023, the Arms Control Association announced the results of the Arms Control Person(s) of the Year voting. The determination of the winners lasted from December 8, 2022, to January 12, 2023, and the heroic workers of the temporarily occupied Zaporizhzhya NPP gained a majority of votes!
More than 3,500 participants from nearly 80 countries cast a vote.
President of SE «NNEGC «Energoatom» Petro Kotin congratulated the brave ZNPP nuclear workers on their well-deserved victory. He once again thanked the employees who maintain strength and heroism and do not defect to the enemy's side, remaining loyal to their profession and Ukraine. The Zaporizhzhya nuclear workers were nominated for their heroic efforts to maintain nuclear safety and security at the ZNPP under conditions of immense hardship resulting from the russian military occupation and amid continued shelling of the power plant.
"The whole Ukraine and the entire civilized world are proud of the courage and hard work of our Zaporizhzhya nuclear workers. Despite constant pressure and occupation, they keep fulfilling their mission. And this award is in honor of their courage and resilience, the strength of spirit and human dignity. I thank the association for the fair recognition and thank everyone who cast a vote and supported the employees of our ZNPP," Petro Kotin said.
Director for nonproliferation policy with the Arms Control Association Kelsey Davenport also highlighted the bravery of Ukrainian nuclear workers and expressed her admiration for them.
"Russia’s illegal and unprecedented occupation of the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant created an untenable nuclear safety and security situation. In the face of harassment and threats by Russian forces, Ukrainian personnel has continued to operate the plant and avert a nuclear crisis,” Kelsey Davenport stressed.
The nominees for the honorary title are recognized for significant efforts to promote effective arms control, non-proliferation and disarmament, maintaining nuclear and radiation security, as well as raised awareness of the threats posed by mass casualty weapons.
For reference: The Arms Control Association was founded in 1971 in the USA. It is a national nonpartisan membership organization dedicated to supporting effective arms control policies.
