Daily Archives: June 8, 2022

AGENDA ITEM 4: REPORT OF THE PROGRAMME AND BUDGET COMMITTEE   

1. Mr Chair, from the outset South Africa would like to reiterate its principled position, which calls for a balanced distribution of the programme and budget to reflect the equal importance of the three pillars of the IAEA’s mandate as contained in its Statute. We stress the need to balance the Agency’s promotional and non-promotional activities.

2. With regard to the Financial Statements for 2021, South Africa would like to thank the Audit Board of the Republic of Indonesia for their professionalism in conducting the audit on the Agency’s activities for the 6th consecutive year. We are further pleased that an “unqualified opinion” has once again been awarded on the Agency’s financial statements and that the Secretariat has accepted the External Auditor’s recommendations which will be implemented in time.

3. South Africa acknowledges that the COVID-19 pandemic has limited the full implementation of statutory activities of the Agency. The Secretariat’s efforts in ensuring that activities are implemented, as fully as possible, are commended. Moreover, in recognising the financial burden that COVID-19 has placed on many Member States, my delegation thanks Member States and the private sector for their generous extrabudgetary contributions especially towards the Agency’s COVID-19 related assistance which South African benefitted from.

4. While appreciating the extrabudgetary contributions that were made across the various major programmes, South Africa would like to caution against the over reliance on extrabudgetary funds in future, as this could negatively impact the effectiveness, independence and long-term sustainability of the Agency’s activities.

5. Mr Chair, South Africa acknowledges that the implementation of activities may be difficult during this time and my delegation requests that any changes that may be required, especially in the implementation of Technical Cooperation (TC) Programme activities, be closely coordinated with the affected Member States through very thorough consultation and engagement.

6. Regarding Internal Audits, my delegation would like to express its appreciation for the work conducted by the OIOS Division. My delegation recognises that the Division is operating under challenging circumstances and we encourage them to continue to provide independent and objective assurance on the adequacy and effectiveness of the governance, risk management and internal control processes of the Agency’s programmes, processes and activities.

7. Turning to the Agency’s Budget, South Africa thanks the Secretariat for issuing the Draft Budget Update for 2023, in accordance with the Board of Governors decision of June 2021 as contained in document GOV/2021/25 and thanks the Rapporteur (Slovenia) for the report before us today.

8. In this regard, we would like to reiterate our position on the Technical Cooperation Fund (TCF) targets, that in determining the TCF targets and Indicative Planning Figures going forward for 2024-2025, relevant and various factors should be considered. As the main delivery vehicle for the transfer of nuclear energy, science and technologies for peaceful uses, the resources for the TC Programme must be sufficient, assured and predictable and we encourage all Member States to pay their contributions to the TCF in full and on time.

9. Regarding the After-Service Health Insurance (ASHI), Mr Chair, South Africa is concerned about the impact of the ASHI Liability on the financial health of the Regular Budget. Given the long-term implications of any decision on this issue for future budget cycles of the Agency and the assessed contributions of Member States – South Africa requests the Secretariat to issue Member States with proposals, as soon as possible.

10. With these comments, Chair, South Africa takes note of the PBC Report as contained in document GOV/2022/23.

AGENDA ITEM 8 (E): NPT SAFEGUARDS IN ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN 

Mr Chairperson 

In considering this resolution and deciding our path, South Africa took a number of factors into account, namely balance, focus, timing and engagement, along with our well-known and established principled positions on nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament in general. 

We believe that the text is balanced and focused on supporting the efforts of the Director General and the Secretariat to fulfil the IAEA’s non-proliferation mandate, as determined by international law, which it executes on our behalf. 

It is now two years since the Board’s resolution called for Iran’s urgent cooperation to resolve the identified issues, sadly no significant progress has been made and South Africa finds no credible justification for this state of affairs. In our view Iran has been provided with ample time and opportunity to resolve these issues.We are convinced that the resolution we adopted today does not seek to advance a political agenda but critically, it is focused on strengthening global non-proliferation efforts. 

Mr Chairperson 

We reiterate that it is an individual Member State’s responsibility to provide guarantees to the international community that its nuclear activities are solely for peaceful purposes. This is not only good practice, but in fact is a non-negotiable legal requirement on all State Parties of the NPT . 

South Africa was very optimistic in March when the Joint Statement between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the IAEA was reached. We were especially pleased that the statement included concrete steps with an agreed timeframe of implementation, aimed at closing the disputed issues at this meeting of the Board. Unfortunately, exactly the opposite has happened with little progress made. 

Taking all these considerations into account we were compelled to vote in favour of the resolution not as punishment or malaise but as a gentle push and encouragement for Iran to fully cooperate and resolve these issues once and forever. 

Mr Chair 

It is incumbent on Iran to resolve these issues in spite the status of the JCPOA and we commend the commitment of the IAEA to stay the course until it can report to the Board that it is satisfied that the explanations provided are sufficient and technically credible. South Africa also strongly supports the commitment reflected in the resolution, to remove the item from the Board’s agenda as soon as the Director General reports that the Agency has no further questions and that the files can be closed – but this can only be done once Iran provides credible and verified explanations to the Secretariat and this is possible because this Board have all the confidence in the integrity, independence and impartiality of the DG and the Secretariat working together with Iran in consent.  We look forward to that day sooner rather than later. 

I thank you. 

AGENDA ITEM 3: STRENGTHENING OF THE AGENCY’S TECHNICAL COOPERATION ACTIVITIES TECHNICAL COOPERATION REPORT FOR 2021

Mr Chair, 

1. My delegation associates itself with the statements delivered on behalf of the G77 and China and the African Group respectively. [My delegation also associates itself with the earlier joint-statement on behalf of the Co-Chairs of the Friends of ReNuAL]. South Africa would like to make the following additional remarks, in its national capacity.

2. The Technical Cooperation (TC) Programme is the most important delivery mechanism through which the Agency fulfils its statutory mandate to promote the transfer of nuclear energy, science and technology for the peaceful use of atomic energy for socio-economic development of Member States.  South Africa is therefore pleased that the 2021 report, in line with previous reports,  highlights the importance of the TC Programme for both the Agency and Member States.

3. The promotion of nuclear energy for peaceful uses is of vital importance to South Africa and its developmental objectives and we are pleased that iThemba Labs –  Africa’s leading research facility for accelerator based science and host of the largest accelerator facility in the southern hemisphere has officially been designated as an IAEA Collaborating Centre. South Africa endeavours to promote and strengthen the use of accelerator-based science, technology and applications.

Mr Chair, 

4. Another important element of our own TC Programme is the fight against various non-communicable diseases that are  prevalent in our Continent and continue to undermine the well-being of our population. South Africa fully supports the new cancer-related initiative, Rays of Hope. As the leading African Member State on Cancer and Theranostics, South Africa offers its nuclear medicine institutions and facilities in support of Rays of Hope and looks forward to deepening our efforts and relations together with the Agency in this regard.

5. In addition, malaria continues to be a life threatening disease and in ensuring that we achieve our goal of eliminating malaria within our borders by 2030, we are pleased to report that our project on the use of the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) for Malaria Mosquitoes is in its 3rd phase. The success of this technique on malaria mosquitoes will have far reaching positive consequences in easing the global malaria burden that Africa disproportionately carries.

6. Human Resources Development and Nuclear Knowledge Management are of the utmost importance in capacity building and my delegation welcomes the Agency’s efforts in this regard. South Africa remains focused on accepting fellows and scientific visits and in collaboration with the Agency and relevant partners, will continue to provide PhD and post-graduate support in all priority areas.

7. Mr Chair, you will recall that in November 2020, Member States approved the off-cycle technical cooperation project INT5157 on ZODIAC. South Africa is pleased to note that the project has seen great progress since its initiation, with a number of regional meetings taking place in 2021. Capacity building is a priority for my delegation and we welcome the report that virtual training sessions continue to take  place. We encourage all Member States to support this initiative and we would like to take this opportunity to remind Member States that have not yet done so, to consider designating ZODIAC National Laboratories.

8. It would therefore be remiss of my delegation not to highlight the work of the Joint FAO/IAEA Division and the VETLAB Network. Human health is central to our socio-economic development and the VETLAB Network is a key partner in detecting, tracing, managing and fighting trans-boundary animal and zoonotic diseases. Over and above the COVID-19 related assistance provided to Member States, the Network was at the forefront of providing support to Southern African Member States with genetic sequencing and molecular epidemiology of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1). South Africa appreciates the commitment of the Joint Division and encourages Member States, in a position to do so, to contribute to its various projects.

Mr Chair 

9. My delegation further wishes to remind all Member States of our shared responsibility towards funding and enhancing the TC activities of the Agency. My delegation believes that timely and full payment of assessed and voluntary contributions will not only alleviate any associated challenges in the implementation of projects but also ensure that that the Agency’s resources for TC activities are sufficient, assured and predictable.

10. Achieving a gender balanced and geographically representative Secretariat is important for my delegation and we urge the Agency to continue in their efforts to achieve this. Similarly, South Africa also fully supports the Agency’s efforts to expand female participation in the TC Programme, including through encouraging the nomination of female meeting and workshop participants, fellows and scientific visitors.

11. In conclusion, Mr Chair, the Departments of Technical Cooperation and Nuclear Sciences and Applications continue to provide invaluable support to African and developing Member States; and we would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their tireless work. My delegation will continue to work together with our PMO, AFRA and the Secretariat in ensuring that the atom is used for peace and development.

12. With these remarks, Mr Chair, my delegation takes notes of the Technical Cooperation Report for 2021 as contained in GOV/2022/19 and its Supplement.

I thank you. 

AGENDA ITEM 2: ANNUAL REPORT 

Mr Chairperson 

1. South Africa aligned itself with the statements delivered by my two brothers Ambassador Farhane in his capacity as Chair of the Group of 77 and China, and Ambassador Johnson, on behalf of the African Group, to which I wish to add the following brief additional remarks on behalf of my delegation.

2. South Africa adds its voice to those who spoke before us in thanking the Director General and the Secretariat for the report before the Board on the Agency’s activities in the past year and the format in which the report is presented focusing on the IAEA’s core business, namely the advancement of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, science and technology  in line with our Motto Atoms for peace and development – a key priority that seems to have taken a backseat to the more political issues in the Board’s deliberations.

3. My delegation is pleased that the IAEA has been able to, not only continue to implement its critical work despite challenging circumstances, but in fact expanded its work especially as already indicated in areas close to the heart of my delegation. South Africa welcomes the various initiatives launched by the Director General and the Secretariat to respond to the various global challenges and also to pre-empt looming threats that need to be addressed to assist to achieve their socio-economic objectives and goals, including those contained in the UN Sustainable Development Goals in general and the 2063 Africa Agenda.

4. Furthermore, we agree with the assessment in the report that nuclear power is a growth industry and South Africa supports the Agency’s focus on new technologies and reactors in this area, especially Small Modular Reactors and the exciting advancements in nuclear fission. However, it is critical to ensure that these new advancements can be utilised in a safe manner. My delegation therefore welcomes the Agency’s initiatives to support Member States in also strengthening and promoting nuclear safety in the use of nuclear technology and power.

5. South Africa’s collaboration and cooperation with the IAEA is growing on an annual basis. During the reporting period the country’s first collaboration centre, iThemba Laboratories, was inaugurated in the field of accelerator applications. As reflected in the report there are currently 32 research contracts or agreements in place between South Africa and the IAEA and we have 3 Analytical Laboratories for the Measurement of Environmental Radioactivity, to name but a few of the activities we share. We look forward to continuing the expansion of our nuclear progamme and cooperation with the IAEA in the years to come.

6. Mr Chairperson,

7. As the world is slowly returning to normal, the IAEA’s programme of work will become even more loaded and we have to ask the question if the IAEA’s budget is adequate for all we demand from it. For developing countries such as our own, the ability to access nuclear energy, science and technology and to harness its many applications is becoming central to our economic development and our plans to improve the quality of life of our people. It is important that as we move towards the next budget cycle that we start asking ourselves tough questions and make an honest assessment of the ability of the IAEA to continue to expand its work in scope and reach. In this regard, we commend the Director General’s efforts to mobilise non-traditional resources and partners, but this may not be enough.

8. To conclude Mr Chairperson, the Report before the Board today is a record of the myriad of activities this organisation undertakes yearly for the betterment of the people of the world we once again congratulate the DG and the Secretariat for a job well done so far. South Africa supports the Board’s adoption of the report and onward transmission to the 66th Session of the General Conference in September 2022.

I thank you. 

AGENDA ITEM 2: ANNUAL REPORT 

Mr Chairperson 

1. South Africa aligned itself with the statements delivered by my two brothers Ambassador Farhane in his capacity as Chair of the Group of 77 and China, and Ambassador Johnson, on behalf of the African Group, to which I wish to add the following brief additional remarks on behalf of my delegation.

2. South Africa adds its voice to those who spoke before us in thanking the Director General and the Secretariat for the report before the Board on the Agency’s activities in the past year and the format in which the report is presented focusing on the IAEA’s core business, namely the advancement of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, science and technology  in line with our Motto Atoms for peace and development – a key priority that seems to have taken a backseat to the more political issues in the Board’s deliberations.

3. My delegation is pleased that the IAEA has been able to, not only continue to implement its critical work despite challenging circumstances, but in fact expanded its work especially as already indicated in areas close to the heart of my delegation. South Africa welcomes the various initiatives launched by the Director General and the Secretariat to respond to the various global challenges and also to pre-empt looming threats that need to be addressed to assist to achieve their socio-economic objectives and goals, including those contained in the UN Sustainable Development Goals in general and the 2063 Africa Agenda.

4. Furthermore, we agree with the assessment in the report that nuclear power is a growth industry and South Africa supports the Agency’s focus on new technologies and reactors in this area, especially Small Modular Reactors and the exciting advancements in nuclear fission. However, it is critical to ensure that these new advancements can be utilised in a safe manner. My delegation therefore welcomes the Agency’s initiatives to support Member States in also strengthening and promoting nuclear safety in the use of nuclear technology and power.

5. South Africa’s collaboration and cooperation with the IAEA is growing on an annual basis. During the reporting period the country’s first collaboration centre, iThemba Laboratories, was inaugurated in the field of accelerator applications. As reflected in the report there are currently 32 research contracts or agreements in place between South Africa and the IAEA and we have 3 Analytical Laboratories for the Measurement of Environmental Radioactivity, to name but a few of the activities we share. We look forward to continuing the expansion of our nuclear progamme and cooperation with the IAEA in the years to come.

6. Mr Chairperson,

7. As the world is slowly returning to normal, the IAEA’s programme of work will become even more loaded and we have to ask the question if the IAEA’s budget is adequate for all we demand from it. For developing countries such as our own, the ability to access nuclear energy, science and technology and to harness its many applications is becoming central to our economic development and our plans to improve the quality of life of our people. It is important that as we move towards the next budget cycle that we start asking ourselves tough questions and make an honest assessment of the ability of the IAEA to continue to expand its work in scope and reach. In this regard, we commend the Director General’s efforts to mobilise non-traditional resources and partners, but this may not be enough.

8. To conclude Mr Chairperson, the Report before the Board today is a record of the myriad of activities this organisation undertakes yearly for the betterment of the people of the world we once again congratulate the DG and the Secretariat for a job well done so far. South Africa supports the Board’s adoption of the report and onward transmission to the 66th Session of the General Conference in September 2022.

I thank you.