Mohamed ElBaradei, Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said on Monday that the way to prevent nuclear weapons development is to effectively adjust the mechanism for achieving the goals of security and development.

ElBaradei made the remarks at the opening session of the 2005 Review Conference of the Parties to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). "Without question, improving control of facilities capable of producing weapons-usable material will go a long way towards establishing a better margin of security," he said.

ElBaradei also stressed that the mechanisms for achieving the goals of security and development must evolve.

"We should be clear: there is no incompatibility between tightening controls over the nuclear fuel cycle and expanding the use of peaceful nuclear technology," ElBaradei noted, stressing the importance of balancing both development and security interests.

"In fact, by reducing the risks of proliferation, we could pave the way for more widespread use of peaceful nuclear applications,"he added.

The month-long Review Conference brings delegations together every five years to consider the workings of the landmark agreement, which seeks to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons technology, foster the peaceful use of nuclear energy and further the goal of general and complete disarmament.

ElBaradei pointed out that the core of the accord can be summed up in two words: security and development, saying "I trust that all share these two goals: development for all through advanced technology; and security for all by reducing -- and ultimately eliminating -- the nuclear threat."

"If we cannot work together, each acknowledging the development priorities and security concerns of the other, then the result of this Conference will be inaction," he said.

He also urged the meeting to strengthen the IAEA's verification authority, noting that in recent years, the additional protocol to comprehensive safeguards agreements has proven its worth.

"With better access to information and locations, we get better results," he said, adding the whole purpose of verification is to build confidence.

ElBaradei said in order to prevent nuclear-weapon proliferation "we need better control over proliferation sensitive parts of the nuclear fuel cycle: activities that involve uranium enrichment and plutonium separation."