All posts by : jollyapples

Chair

Excellencies and distinguished colleagues

We take this opportunity to reiterate South Africa’s firm and long-standing support and solidarity for the State of Palestine and the Palestinian people. As President Nelson Mandela stated many years ago “We know too well that our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians”.

The question of Palestine remains unresolved 77 years on, despite numerous UN General Assembly and Security Council resolutions and ICJ rulings. The South African Government has continued to promote efforts to ensure international attention remains on the Palestine and the Middle East peace process. In this regard, we welcome the arrest warrants issued on Israeli leadership by the International Criminal Court (ICC), which will ensure much needed accountability and urge all Parties to the Rome Statute to adhere to their international obligations that stem from this Treaty.

Today, as we pause and reflect on the events that have unfolded from October 2023 to date, which have marked one of the most tragic and violent periods in the history of the people of Palestine and of the region, we are mindful that nothing has changed. Over the past year, the Israeli military onslaught on Gaza has brought untold suffering to the Palestinian population, who have suffered unspeakable atrocities in an unrelenting campaign of genocide, ethnic cleansing and war crimes committed by the unshameful Apartheid Israeli regime.

We have always believed that only a comprehensive and unconditional negotiated settlement can bring about lasting peace in the region with the UNSC playing its role. For this to happen, there is an urgent need for an immediate and sustainable ceasefire, an immediate end of the illegal occupation of Palestinian territories by Israel in accordance with the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2735 (2024), as well as an end to the blockade and destruction and genocide in Gaza. Too much talking and resolutions has not stopped the impunity of the Israeli regime, now it is time to act.

It is unacceptable that some countries say the war against the Palestinians must end yet they continue to provide weapons and other support to enable the war to continue against unarmed civilians. This double talk some stop and the world must act in unison and isolate the genocide regime of Israel.

We reaffirm our unwavering solidarity to the Palestinian people, believing that restoring their legitimate rights in accordance with the two-state solution and the relevant UN resolutions, will culminate in reaching a lasting peace in the Middle East.

I thank you!

Chair,

My delegation thanks the Executive Secretary for his report on the non-verification-related activities of the PTS for the period April to August 2024.

South Africa associates itself with the statements delivered on behalf of the G77 and China as well as the African Group, and would like to make the following additional remarks in our national capacity.

Chair,

South Africa remains deeply concerned about the rising threat to international peace and security as the result of the current intensifying geopolitical tensions, especially among nuclear powers. Similarly, rhetoric around the threat of use of nuclear weapons is gaining traction.

The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty is an important element of the set of mutually reinforcing instruments aimed at accomplishing our common goals of nuclear disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation. Early entry-into-force remains an urgent priority for South Africa, and we regret recent developments that weaken the norm against nuclear testing. We call on all Annex II States that have yet to take the requisite steps to ratify this Treaty to do so without further delay, and for the voluntary moratorium on nuclear testing to be upheld.

We support the ongoing outreach and outreach efforts of the PTS to promote signature and ratification of the Treaty and welcome the Regional Workshop for Africa which was held earlier in the year to promote universalization within the region and to highlight the benefits of Treaty membership.

Chair,

South Africa attaches great importance to the functionality of the IMS network and support the timely maintenance and sustainment of IMS system which will form the backbone of the verification regime once the CTBTO enters into force. My delegation welcomes the four very useful information papers on IMS sustainment and looks forward to constructive collective deliberations over the next year towards reaching agreement on an appropriate IMS sustainment strategy.

South Africa has consistently emphasized the importance of respecting the principle of territorial integrity of States in establishing and maintaining the IMS. In this regard, my delegation follows with interest the announcement of the historic agreement between the Republic of Mauritius and the United Kingdom which recognizes Mauritian sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago. We look forward to the finalization of the practical modalities, including on the long-term management of the HA08 station.

Chair,

My delegation takes note of the final of 2025 Budget Update Proposals and welcomes the fact that it was possible to reduce the portion financed through assessed contributions as the result of optimization and reprioritization of activities and an upward revision in anticipated interest income for the year 2025.

Finally, my delegation welcomes the proactive recruitment process based on comprehensive staffing plans, and emphasizes the importance principles of equitable geographical distribution, gender equality and the promotion of youth in science.

Thank you.

AGENDA ITEM 3: STRENGTHENING OF THE AGENCY’S TECHNICAL COOPERATION ACTIVITIES – TECHNICAL COOPERATION REPORT 2023

Thank you, Mr Chair

My delegation associates itself with the statements delivered on behalf of the G77 and China and the African Group respectively.

I am proud that the Steve Biko Academic Hospital in Pretoria has been designated as an IAEA Anchor Centre with the Rays of Hope Initiative.

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 its goal of expanding access to cancer care and treatment, particularly in Africa. We look forward to deepening our efforts and relations with the Agency in this field.

A practical example of this cooperation is the participation of South African universities in a network that will host a harmonised curriculum in support of a masters programme in radiopharmacy. This was developed with the support of the regional TC Project “Strengthening the Capacities for Radiopharmacy and Medical Physics and Radiology for Expansion and Sustainability of Medical Imaging Services – Phase II (AFRA)”. We expect this Masters programme to be launched later this year.

Mr Chair,

South Africa continues to participate in Phase III of the TC project “Assessing the Sterile Insect Technique for Malaria Mosquitoes” towards the long-term goal of eradicating Malaria. In this regard, South Africa has developed standard procedures for mass rearing, quality control and mosquito handling and transportation for the primary vector of malaria in Africa. The release of sterile male mosquitoes resulted in a decline in the wild population density of this type of malaria. It is hoped that these procedures can be used as a template for all genetically based control methods currently under development.

Mr Chair,

These successes and the stated ambitious objectives of the TC programme can only be achieved with the necessary funding to support these important projects, activities, training and capacity building programmes. My delegation, therefore, calls for the timely and full payment of assessed and voluntary contributions to ensure that the Agency’s resources for TC activities are sufficient, assured and predictable.

Mr Chair,

South Africa welcomes the efforts made by the Agency towards increasing the representation of women in the Secretariat and TC programmes and activities. The under representation of women in training as fellows, scientific visitors, training courses and meeting participants continues, particularly in Africa. Therefore, my delegation calls on Member States to increase their nomination of women for participation in the Agency’s TC programmes and activities.

In conclusion, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Departments of Technical Cooperation and Nuclear Sciences and Applications for their dedicated efforts, together with Member States, for the development, implementation and monitoring of the TC Programme and the drafting of this report. My delegation will continue to work together with our PMO, AFRA and the Secretariat in ensuring that advances in nuclear science and technology is available to all, for peace and development.

With these remarks, Mr Chair, my delegation takes note of the Technical Cooperation Report for 2023 as contained in GOV/2024/24 and its Supplement.

I thank you.

Co-Presidents,

Director General of the IAEA,

Ministers,

Distinguished Delegates,

At the outset we would like to join other delegations in expressing our sincere condolences to the Islamic Republic of Iran o the loss of their President and Foreign Minister.

South Africa thanks the co-presidents of the Conference, Australia, and Kazakhstan, for their efforts in the lead up to the Conference and would like to assure you of my delegation’s full support and cooperation in all proceedings of ICONS 2024.

My delegation would also like to thank the Director General, Mr Rafael Grossi, for hosting this fourth ministerial conference on nuclear security under the banner “Shaping the Future” which affords International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Member States the opportunity to substantively engage on all the critical areas of this important issue.

Co-Presidents,

This year’s ICONS takes place in an international context which is characterised by increased tensions, armed conflicts, and the re-emergence of once taboo rhetoric on the use or threat of use of the nuclear weapons. We remain concerned that despite the reaffirmation of the common goal of nuclear disarmament and non–proliferation in ICONS Declarations for over a decade, no tangible progress has been attained in this domain. This is evidenced by the growth in nuclear weapon stockpiles and growing threats of use of nuclear weapons, including the threat by Israel to use nuclear weapons against innocent civilians in Gaza. We condemn the ongoing genocide being carried out on the people of Palestine and welcome the recent

Co – Presidents,

South Africa believes that this Conference and its technical outcomes has the potential to make an important contribution in supporting Member States’ work to strengthen their respective national nuclear security regimes, and also contribute to international peace and security.

However, more is needed. We cannot fully strengthen international nuclear security efforts as long as nuclear weapons continue to exist. South Africa therefore remains firm in its conviction that a world free of nuclear weapons must remain our shared commitment and collective goal. Nuclear security has to be approached within the overall framework of our common objectives and commitment to nuclear disarmament, nuclear non-proliferation and the promotion of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

In this regard, whilst recognising the importance for nuclear security in minimising the use of HEU on a voluntary basis where technically and economically feasible, South Africa remains concerned by the imbalance in this discussion. HEU used for peaceful purposes is only a tiny fraction of the existing HEU stocks and therefore, any meaningful discussions on nuclear security must focus on the security for both civilian and military material.

My delegation considers initiatives of the Agency to address the challenges associated with nuclear facilities operating in extraordinary circumstances, including those impacting on nuclear security, to be timely. In this regard, we encourage the Conference to reaffirm the inviolability of peaceful nuclear activities and that any attack or threat of attack against peaceful nuclear facilities constitutes a grave violation of international law, principles and purposes of the UN Charter and statute of the IAEA.

Co-Presidents

While nuclear security remains the sovereign responsibility of each Member State, South Africa welcomes the progress made to strengthen nuclear security internationally, through the important work of the IAEA.

The IAEA has unique capabilities and expertise to support Member States and coordinate international cooperation on all nuclear related matters on a global scale, including on nuclear security upon request from Member States. We strongly support the work of the IAEA in the provision of training and capacity building. In this regard, we reaffirm the critical importance of ensuring equitable geographical distribution and gender equality in all IAEA nuclear security activities. We call on all Member States to establish inclusive workforces in their national nuclear security regimes, including ensuring equal access to education and training.

South Africa shares international interest in advanced nuclear technologies, including Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), to support our developmental objectives. We attach great value to the technical work conducted by the Agency to develop suitable nuclear security guidance, including for these new developments, and the decisions adopted by the appropriate policy-making bodies of the Agency in this regard.

Co-Presidents,

South Africa has a long history of utilising nuclear technologies for both power generation and other peaceful applications. As a responsible producer and user of nuclear technologies and materials, we remain fully committed to maintaining a strong national nuclear security regime in respect of all nuclear and radioactive material, as well as nuclear facilities in our country.

Recalling the guiding vision of the IAEA to “seek to accelerate and enlarge the contribution of atomic energy to peace, health and prosperity throughout the world”, efforts to strengthen nuclear security should not limit our sovereign right to access nuclear energy and technology for peaceful purposes. South Africa insists that strengthened nuclear security should not become a precondition or burden to accessing the benefits of nuclear energy and technology.

We welcome the growing adherence to the relevant international legal instruments, and we are pleased to announce that South Africa deposited our instrument of adherence to the Amendment of the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material earlier in the year.

In conclusion, we underscore that deliberations during the conference neither prejudices the detailed positions of Member States on specific nuclear security issues nor supplants the technical work conducted by the Agency. We further encourage that efforts must be made to ensure that future declarations are procedurally and substantively, inclusive, balanced and reflects the views of all Member States.

Thank you.

Chair,

At the outset, South Africa condemns any attacks on any peaceful nuclear installation and considers the reports of drone attacks at or near Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) site as a serious and avoidable grave escalation. While we note with some relief that initial assessments seem to suggest that critical nuclear safety and security systems at the site have not been compromised, these attacks do add to the already highly precarious situation at Europe’s largest peaceful nuclear power plant.

South Africa continues to support with appreciation the tireless efforts of Director General Grossi and the staff of the IAEA Support and Assistance Mission to Zaporizhzhya to secure and maintain nuclear safety, security and safeguards at Ukraine’s Nuclear Power Plants in already extremely challenging circumstances. In our collective response to these recent developments, the personal safety and wellbeing of the Agency’s experts and staff at the ZNPP should remain a priority.

South Africa agrees that the presence of the Agency’s agents provides us with vital, first-hand information on the developments at the ZNPP as envisaged in the Five Principles of the Director General.

However, in our efforts to unpack recent events at the ZNPP, it is worth reminding ourselves that the mandate of the Agency and consequently also of the IZAMS team is technical and limited to a supporting role. It is not realistic to expect nuclear inspectors in the fog of war to become military inspectors. Any expectation of attribution by them would in our view pose a serious threat to the professional and objective work so carefully undertaken since the start of the conflict.

Finally, we welcome the fact that the Director General intends to brief the United Nations Security Council on these developments in the very near future. The Agency’s response to the nuclear-related challenges during the conflict has been excellent but it also remains South Africa’s firm position that this conflict, like others, needs to find resolution in a negotiated settlement based on the principles of the UN Charter and with the relevant international fora, in this case the UNSC, playing their role.

VERIFICATION AND MONITORING IN THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN IN LIGHT OF UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION 2231 (2015)

AGENDA ITEM 5

Chairperson,

My delegation thanks the Director General and the Secretariat for the report before us and the detailed technical briefing provided to Members States on 1 March 2024.

South Africa hailed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) as an additional key international non-proliferation instrument to maintain peace and security in the volatile region of the Middle East. It is now almost over 5 years that the United States unilaterally pulled out of the JCPOA and unilaterally imposed punishing and unfair sanctions on Iran. Similarly, the same time period has passed since the current US Administration promised to return to the JCPOA, but have regrettably not done so.

The deteriorating security situation in the Middle East region, has made the need for the restoration of the JCPOA even more pressing. We therefore urge all parties to the JCPOA to resist the temptation to focus on narrow political interests as well as geopolitical posturing and exert all efforts towards the restoration of the Plan of Action, as there is no viable alternative to secure regional and international peace and security.

Chairperson,

The DG’s report states that the Iranian nuclear programme reflects a worrisome trend of enrichment activities, which are inconsistent with its declared long – term research and development objectives, far beyond the scope of the JCPOA and that are that these are devoid of any justifiable peaceful use. While noting that there has been no increase in the number of operational centrifuges in the reporting period, the expansion of infrastructure for additional enrichment capability while the IAEA’s capacity to monitor Iran’s nuclear program has been significantly reduced, remains a course for deep concern.

We reiterate our call on all parties to the JCPOA to work towards restoring the agreement. In this regard, we call on Iran to return to its implementation of its JCPOA commitments. We also call on all JCPOA partners to take commensurate action by implementing their obligations to the JCPOA, including the lifting of unilateral sanctions inconsistent with relevant Security Council resolutions. We urge JCPOA Parties to restore confidence in the agreement and actively engage in dialogue towards its restoration, in whatever format they deem necessary, to adapt it to new realities.

With these few words I thank you Chairperson.

AGENDA ITEM 3 – NUCLEAR SECURITY REVIEW 2024

Chair,

South Africa associates itself with the statement delivered by Ambassador Gil on behalf of the G77 and China, and by Ambassador Johnston on behalf of the Africa Group.

South Africa remains fully committed to maintain a strong national nuclear security regime.

We reiterate the principles that nuclear security in a state is entirely the responsibility of that state and that the Agency has a central role in strengthening the nuclear security framework globally and in coordinating international cooperation in nuclear security activities.

At the same time, it is essential that efforts to strengthen the nuclear security framework should not hamper international cooperation in the transfer of nuclear energy, science and technology for peaceful purposes.

We note the potential benefits of taking into account the safety, security and safeguards considerations in the operation and design of NPP. At the same time, we need to emphasize the importance that the Agency’s work in this area upholds and proceeds in strict conformity with States’ legal commitments, the Statute and the General Conference resolutions.

Chair,

We welcome the growing adherence to the relevant international legal instruments and in this regard, we are pleased to announce that we deposited our instrument of adherence to the Amendment of the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material during February 2024.

Chair,

Looking forward, we welcome the preparations for the ICONS 2024 under the able stewardship of the co-chairs. We believe it important to build incrementally with the now well-established nuclear security framework, as inter alia developed through the nuclear security resolutions and previous ministerial conferences.

My delegation also notes that the Nuclear Security Plan 2022-25 is nearing its completion and wish to express readiness to cooperate with the Secretariat and Member States in developing the next Plan through a Member States led process.

Chair, with these remarks my delegation takes note of the Nuclear Security Report 2024.

His Excellency Ambassador Aftab Ahmad Khokher, Permanent Representative of Pakistan and Chairperson of the G77 Vienna Chapter,

Your Excellencies, Permanent Representatives;

Heads of International Organisations;

Distinguished delegates and Dear Friends

It gives me great pleasure to participate in the 25th anniversary celebrations to mark the inauguration of the Office of the G77 in Vienna by the then United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) Director General Mr. Carlos Magariños on the 19th of May 1998. 

South Africa as the Chairperson of the Group was honoured to represent the interests of the Group at this seminal moment of the its history. With the support of my colleagues, the Permanent Representatives of the G77 Member States, United and bound together by a common sense of purpose, we felt it our duty to establish an Office that would both serve as a Focal Point and a base for the Group to effectively represent the  interests of our people who constitute over 75% of the global population; and also to ensure continuity by creating a repository of information and institutional memory to support members of Group.

Let me use this opportunity to pay tribute to UNIDO for their courage, vision and foresight in supporting the G77 Office over the past 25 years. For my colleagues, Permanent Representatives in Vienna, it was a singular honour to welcome His Excellency Kofi Annan, the then Secretary-General of the United Nations and his staff during his visit to the Vienna G77 Chapter on 29 June 1998. We were proud of this historic moment that we knew would have long-term benefit and impact for the G77.

Through the support of UNIDO, we not only gained an office but benefitted from the support of their staff, Ms Anne-Marie Heuls, the G77 Coordinator, who was a shining star as she went above and beyond her duties to support the Group and to whom we must remain grateful.  I commend Ms Crosby Plaza, the newly appointed Coordinator as well as all the staff in this important Office for their tireless efforts and service. I thank Gerd Muller, the UNIDO Director General and Member States for UNIDO’s commitment to continue to support the G77 Office.

I would also like to pay tribute to the G77 Member States (Permanent Representatives and experts) that have given meaning and substance to the vision and mission of the G77 Office. Let us not forget that progress on the realisation of all the 17 indivisible and interdependent Sustainable Development Goals, agreed to by our Heads of State and Government in the ambitious United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) remains a central challenge for our people. According to credible data, many countries lost two decades of progress on development as a result of the COVID19 pandemic, virtually sliding back to the period of the MDGs at the turn of the century. A United and Single-Minded G77 is therefore key in the recovery of progress and the attainment of the SDGs by 2030, which is in 6 and half years. I cannot overemphasise the importance of Unity and Single-mindedness for the group throughout the UN system to ensure that the hard-won gains we have achieved over the years are not undermined and eroded; and that we speak a common language on key areas such as Climate Change.

Chairperson, the current global landscape will no doubt increasingly test the resolve and resilience of the global multilateral architecture. Another key task for the group is to guard against the dilution of the fundamental tenets and principles of the international rule of law and the erosion of a fair, just, and equitable global system of governance. It is therefore critical that the unity of purpose and solidarity of the Group which have held it together over the years are jealously guarded in all the matters and fora. In the context of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), it was through the collective efforts of G-77 that headway was achieved in ensuring that any increase in the Regular Budget is matched by an increase in the Technical Cooperation Fund thus contributing to making the provision of resources for the Technical Cooperation Programme sufficient, assured and predictable.

Chairperson, in closing, let remind G77 Member States of our responsibility to remain engaged on global matters of economic development as well as peace and security. Our developed partners are astute in using multilateralism to further their narrow interests. It is therefore important for the G77 to be vigilant in protecting our gains and proactive in ensuring that multilateralism serves the interests of 75% of humanity which is in our countries.  The Group must continue to prioritise dialogue with other regions and Groups to forge a better understanding about our long-held positions. I applaud efforts to keep our views available on every platform as we continue to build the future that we want. Let us continue to jealously guard against wedge drivers who thrive on a divided and weak G77 and united voice of the South. Our task going forward is to stay the course and look for more opportunities and ways to expand and cooperate with others who share our perspectives.

I thank you.