Posts in category: Media Statements

Chairperson,

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

I would like to make the following remarks in our national capacity.

South Africa thanks you Ambassador Darío Ernesto Chirú Ochoa, for convening the 59th Session of Preparatory Commission and we assure you of our full cooperation and support. We would also like to thank the Executive Secretary, the Chairs of Working Group A, Working Group B, Advisory Group and the PTS for their reports and preparation for this session.

Chairperson,

South Africa as the Co-President of the Article XIV Conference with Italy, warmly welcomes the  recent ratifications of the Treaty by Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Sao Tome and Principe as well as Timor Leste, bringing the number of State Signatories to 186 and ratifications to 176. We commend the Executive Secretary and the PTS for exceeding the stated target of five signatories in the 25th anniversary year and reaffirm our commitment to continue encouraging States that are yet to do so, to sign and ratify the Treaty . A message expressed in the meeting between Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa, Mr Alvin Botes and the Executive Secretary on 21 June 2022.

We reiterate our call to the remaining Annex II States to sign and ratify the CTBT without further delay. We continue to draw inspiration from the entry into Force of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) that the CTBT will soon follow suite and we further reaffirm the complementarity between the CTBT and the TPNW. The only assured safety and security of the world and its people is the permanent destruction and elimination of nuclear weapons.

Chairperson

South Africa notes the progress that the PTS has made in implementing verification and non-verification related activities encapsulated in the reports of the Executive Secretary as contained in documents CTBT/ES/2022/2 and CTBT/ES/2022/3. My delegation is pleased with the overall achievement of performance targets and the adaptability of the PTS in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

My delegation attaches great importance to the International Monitoring System and the International Data Centre as essential instruments in meeting the verification requirements of the Treaty once it comes into force. South Africa appreciates the good work undertaken by the PTS in maintaining the functionality of the IMS facilities throughout the world and the IDC resulting in improvement in data availability and the achievement of timeliness of IDC products. In this regard, we thank the PTS for the completion of the major upgrade of the Infrasound Station, IS47 located in Boshof, South Africa, and the revalidation of the Station that took place in March this year.

South Africa reiterates its firm view that all maintenance and repairs to the verification regime must be in full conformity to the decisions of the United Nations and its General Assembly at all times. We take note of the declaration of readiness by the United Kingdom to start negotiations with Mauritius over the decolonisation of the Chagos Archipelago as well as the planned engagement between the Executive Secretary and the government of Mauritius regarding amongst others HA08. We hope that these steps will attain the desired outcomes and request the Executive Secretary to keep the PrepCom informed on these developments.

Chairperson,

Technical capacity and knowledge are key enablers for State Signatories to utilise the verifications instruments once the Treaty comes into force. We thus note with appreciation the launch by the Executive Secretary of the initiative “National Data Centres For All”. We look forward to the positive results of this initiative and the benefits that recipient State Signatories will obtain from utilizing data from their NDCs.

While we are acutely aware that the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic remains with us, we are concerned about the low implementation rate of the Capacity Building Fund, which stood at only 2.7% as at 31 August 2022 and falls far short of the required levels. We urge the Secretariat to implement all necessary measures to improve the delivery of capacity building measures, including through increasing the number of participants in capacity building programmes scheduled for the remainder of 2022 and the 2023 financial years.

Chairperson

The advancement and empowerment of women and the youth in science, including in the nuclear sciences is a key priority for South Africa. While we appreciate efforts currently underway towards gender parity, we continue to encourage the Secretariat to engage in further focused recruitment processes aimed at improving gender representation, especially from African and other developing States. We also encourage the utilisation of youth engagement platforms as the basis for identification of potential candidates for the CTBTO. In this regard we express our appreciation for the outreach programmes to young nuclear engineers and scientists undertaken in collaboration with our Council for Non – Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction that took place on 18 November 2022.

Turning to financial matters, my delegation notes with appreciation the PTS efforts in absorbing inflationary pressures on the 2023 Budget Updates Proposals in these challenging economic times. In this regard, we appreciate the decline in the real and nominal values of the overall 2023 Budget proposal. We also applaud the allocation of more than 80% of resources to verification related expenses. While noting the projected high levels of inflation in future and the resultant depressive economic conditions, which have disproportionate effects on developing countries, we encourage the Secretariat to explore measures that will lessen the burden of future price hikes on State Signatories.

Finally, my delegation looks forward to the Science Diplomacy Symposium 2022 to which we have nominated women scientists as participants.

I thank you Mr Chair.

EXPLANATION OF VOTE: NPT SAFEGUARDS IN ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN 

AGENDA ITEM 5C 

Mr Chairperson 

Safeguards agreements are central to international peace and security and are a pillar of the global non – proliferation regime. South Africa is an adherent advocate for the sacrosanct nature of safeguards and we are highly appreciative of and commend the impartiality, professionalism and commitment of the Agency in fulfilling its mandate. We remain gravely concerned that there has been no progress on Iran providing responses to the questions raised by the IAEA on the three sites. We however believe that the latest outreach activities that have been reported by the Director General should be given a chance. We are acutely aware that resolutions are the ultimate instruments available to the Board to send strong messages. We are therefore concerned that the high frequency of adoption of resolutions on the same subject within a short timeframe diminishes their value and impact. It is for this reason that my delegation decided to abstain on this resolution. 

We reiterate our call for Iran to provide technically credible answers to the IAEA on the outstanding questions. Any further delay to the provisions of responses will be construed as an indication of lack of interest to provide answers and will necessitate a commensurate response. 

Thank you Mr Chair. 

AGENDA ITEM 4: VERIFICATION AND MONITORING IN THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN IN LIGHT OF UN SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION 2231 (2015) 

Mr Chairperson 

South Africa wishes to thank the Director General and the Secretariat for the Reports before us and the detailed technical briefing provided to Members States. 

My delegation has consistently declared its support for the JCPOA as a key instrument of the global non-proliferation regime and thus central to the maintenance of international peace and security. We reiterate our regret at the unilateral withdrawal of the United States from the agreement and its imposition of the punishing and unfair sanctions on Iran. This single and unreasonable act by the United States has plunged us into the crisis we are in today in relation to the JCPOA. We also regret the gradual withdrawal of Iran from implementation of its obligations to the JCPOA, almost a year after the withdrawal of the US from the agreement. Iran was not realising the promise of being reintegrated into the global economy which was to be accrued from its signature of the JCPOA. 

Chairperson 

We are deeply concerned by the lack of progress on measures to restore the deal, while we had been informed by the negotiating parties in March that they were close to an agreement. Regrettably, not only have parties to the agreement not met in the intervening period, but there has been consistent apportioning of blame by one party to another. We urge the negotiating parties to resist the temptation to subject the restoration of the deal to narrow political interests or use the deal as an object of geopolitical posturing. We further call on parties to the JCPOA to exert all efforts towards the restoration of the JCPOA. 

The report of the Director General before us, reflects that Iran has continued to enrich uranium to levels that we consider to be neither justifiable nor qualifying to be a balancing measure. The production of Highly Enriched Uranium that has no justifiable peaceful uses and is not consistent to Iran’s declared long-term research and development objectives, is a course of deep concern for my delegation.  Regrettably these activities are undertaken at a time where Iran has significantly curtailed the ability of the IAEA to monitor its nuclear programme and have unliterally suspended its application of Modified Code 3.1. We therefore call on Iran to restore confidence to the international community on the nobility of their nuclear programme. We also call on Iran to return to compliance to its legal obligations while pursuing meaningful negotiations towards the restoration of the JCPOA. 

We reiterate our call to both the United States and Iran to take confidence-building measures, such as the suspension of some sanctions and the suspension of the production of HEU, respectively. 

In conclusion, while my delegation appreciates the good work of the Secretariat in preparing reports, their attempts to include all the latest developments result in the late release of reports which hinders the ability of Member States to prepare timely for meetings of the Board. We therefore urge parties to the JCPOA to refrain from delaying engagements to closer to the meeting of the Board which negatively affect the timing of the release of the reports of the Director General. We urge the Director General to release reports at least two weeks in advance of future meetings of the Board. 

With these few words I thank you Chairperson. 

H.E Ambassador Rapulane Molekane: Permanent Representative of  South Africa; 

H.E. Ambassador Faouzia Mebarki: Permanent Representative of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, Chair of the Ad Hoc Committee on Cybercrime; 

Ms Jane Marie Ongolo: UNODC Regional Representative for Southern Africa; 

Ms Jakkie Wessels- Regional Court President – Limpopo, South Africa; 

Ms Boemo Sekgoma -Secretary General for SADC Parliamentary Forum (joining us online); 

Your Excellencies; 

Ladies and Gentlemen 

Gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) is a universal phenomenon and a global challenge we are all not proud of that requires all of us to put formidable efforts and resources to eradicate it. According to the WHO, globally, one in three women experience either intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence during their lifetime. Undeniably, GBV&F has debilitating lasting consequences for women’s physical health, their sexual and reproductive health, as well as their mental health. Fundamentally, GBV is a violation of women’s human rights with adverse economic and social consequences for all. Victims of GBV seldomly seek professional help, preferring to keep their abuse secret due to various barriers, including discrimination and stigma. 

South Africa’s response to GVB is guided by a number of international treaties, and a strong legislative framework, including the Domestic Violence Act, the Sexual Offences Act, and the Prevention and Combatting of Trafficking in Persons Act, amongst others. Whilst the aforementioned have proven to be useful tools, it is not enough to end GBV, especially within the cyber context. 

Distinguished Delegates 

The proliferation of Online Information Communication Technologies (OICTs) provides many opportunities, including enabling the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and the full enjoyment of human rights, including gender equality. However, as with many developments, technological advancement in the last few decades has meant the extension of violence against women and children into a new dimension. 

The growth of cyber technology has created a host of new challenges for law enforcement and justice officials. It has amplified the ease with which technology-facilitated gender-based violence is executed; and increased the likelihood of perpetrators, to evade detection. 

Ostensibly, cyberviolence, against women and children, is a rising threat that every country must address as the world becomes more digital. During the COVID-19 lockdowns, various communities observed and reported an increase in the incidences of violence against women and children. This was said to be exacerbated by the need for, and use of, these Online Information Communication Technologies (OICTs). 

Distinguished Delegates 

Cyberviolence can have many forms, diverse impact, and can occur in various online platforms. Research suggests that 73% of women have already been exposed to or have experienced some form of online 

violence in what must still be considered a relatively new and growing technology. Changing social attitudes and norms is the first step to shifting the way online abuse is understood as a serious challenge. 

Violence is not new, but cyberviolence is, and the public needs to recognize this and address it as a priority issue. Cyberviolence, is a product of gender inequality and discrimination, that prevents women and children from participating equally in a digital society. 

Distinguished delegates 

Cyberviolence is not just a technological problem, but a societal one. In order to effectively combat cyberviolence against women and girls, the issue of ‘victim blaming’ needs to be emphatically addressed. This destructive response needs to be addressed as a primary issue of concern as there is no situation in which a violent act should be accepted or condoned as a result of personal judgement and social behaviour. 

To combat these newest crimes against women and children, the criminal justice community needs to promote more efficient, innovative cyber investigations and swift prosecutions. Hence the training handbook launched here today for the Criminal Justice Practitioners on Cyber violence against women and girls is critically significant. 

Eliminating on-line gender-based violence requires collaboration amongst states regionally and internationally as well as with internet service providers and the private sector. 

To this end, South Africa looks forward to the text-based negotiations within the Ad Hoc Committee to elaborate on a Comprehensive International Convention to Counter the Use of ICTs for Criminal Purposes. South Africa will join efforts to mainstream gender equality and women’s empowerment by integrating a gender perspective into this future treaty. 

On this note, I express my gratitude for your participation at this side-event and call upon all Member States to improve their capacity in order to address this pandemic on gender-based violence. 

I THANK YOU 

AGENDA ITEM 7: VERIFICATION AND MONITORING IN THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN IN LIGHT OF UN SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION 2231 (2015) 

Mr Chairperson 

South Africa wishes to thank the Director General and the Secretariat for the Report before us and the detailed technical briefing provided to Members States . Please be assured of my delegation’s full support and our confidence in your professional execution of your important responsibilities. 

My delegation, like many in this room, we have always lauded the JCPOA as a key instrument of the global non-proliferation regime and thus central to the maintenance of international peace and security. We have consistently expressed our regret at the unilateral withdrawal of the United States from the agreement and its imposition of the punishing and unfair sanction on Iran. We thus understood the gradual withdrawal of Iran of its implementation of its obligations to the JCPOA, a year after the withdrawal of the US from the agreement. Iran was not realising the promise of being reintegrated into the global economy which was to be accrued from its signature of the JCPOA. We applauded the resumption of talks towards reinstating the deal and we were encouraged by reports since March this year that the text of the deal is at an advanced stages and the possible reinstatement of this agreement was insight. To date the international community is not in a better position than it was last March. We therefore call on the United States to exert more effort and give meaning to its stated political commitment to restore the JCPOA. 

Chairperson 

The report before us, paints a bleak picture on Iran’s compliance to its obligations. We have noted with regret that the ability of the IAEA to monitor Iran’s nuclear programme has been significantly curtailed and the Agency is no longer able to maintain continuity of knowledge. We are also concerned by the high levels of enrichment in the Iran nuclear programme as reflected in the report, which is inconsistent with Iran’s stated long – term research and development objectives. We are concerned by the ever-increasing amount of enriched uranium stockpiles which has no justifiable peaceful use. These developments take place at the backdrop of Iran’s unilateral suspension of its implementation of the Modified Code 3.1. We therefore call on Iran to return to compliance with its legal obligations while pursuing meaningful negotiations towards the return to the JCPOA. 

In our previous statements we have called on both the United States and Iran to take confidence-building measures, such as the suspension of some sanctions and the suspension of the production of HEU, respectively. We also reiterate our call to parties to conduct negotiations face-to-face, as shuttle diplomacy may has reached its saturation point. Taking a cue from the wise words of President Mandela when he said : “no problem is too deep that it cannot be overcome, given the will of all parties” We therefore call on Iran, the US, and all JCPOA parties to refocus with greater will to finalise their mutual return to full compliance to this landmark agreement. 

Finally, chairperson, we have noted with great concern that the contents of this report has been in the public domain on the day this report was released. We reiterate our previous call to the Secretariat and all Member States to preserve the confidentiality of matters before the Board and resist the temptation of public grandstanding as such action creates unnecessary challenges that could be averted. 

With these few words I thank you Chairperson. 

AGENDA ITEM 8C: NPT SAFEGUARDS AGREEMENT WITH THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN 

Chairperson, 

South Africa expresses appreciation to the Director General and the Secretariat for the report before us and the technical briefing provided to Member States on 8 September 2022 

At the outset, South Africa reaffirms the importance of safeguards as a fundamental component of nuclear non-proliferation and that complying with safeguards agreements, contribute to strengthening collective security. While safeguards agreements are voluntarily entered into, once signed, they become a legal obligation that must be upheld by States concerned and cannot be unilaterally amended. 

My delegation notes with appreciation the efforts of the Secretariat and readiness thereto to engage with Members State to address challenges associated with compliance to safeguards agreements. We have further noted that similar efforts have been extended to the Islamic Republic of Iran in a quest to address questions relating to three sites in which the IAEA detected nuclear particles of anthropogenic nature. 

South Africa calls on Iran to engage with the IAEA expeditiously to resolve these outstanding questions. 

We reaffirm our firm view that there is no alternative solution to addressing these questions except the provision of credible answers to the IAEA. The resolution of safeguards questions should not be linked or be assumed to be linked to any other processes. Member States and the international community deserve clear answers to put us all at ease that the Iran nuclear programme is for no other purpose but peaceful uses. Furthermore, we call on Iran to return to its implementation of Modified Code 3.1. We also encourage Iran to ascend to the Additional Protocol, which will allow the Agency greater possibilities of verifying the Iranian nuclear programme. 

We remain hopeful for the speedy resolution of the matters. 

I thank you. 

AGENDA ITEM 6: STRENGTHENING THE AGENCY’S ACTIVITIES RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND APPLICATIONS 

ReNuAL/ReNuAL 2 

Chair, 

I have the honour to address the Board of Governors on behalf of the Co-Chairs of the Friends of ReNuAL, South Africa and Germany. 

The Nuclear Applications Laboratories remain central in helping fulfil the Agency’s peaceful uses mandate and continue to support Member States with training, services, and applied research to address challenges in food and agriculture, human health, environmental management, and the use of nuclear instrumentation. 

Since unanimously acknowledging that the Seibersdorf laboratory facilities were in need of renovations and modernisation, thus, launching the ReNuAL project in 2014; we are proud that through the generous extrabudgetary and in-kind support from Member States and others, the ReNuAL project has delivered: 

A new Insect Pest Control Laboratory building;  

The Dosimetry Laboratory’s new medical linear accelerator facility; 

The Yukiya Amano Laboratories building; and 

A new energy centre and other site infrastructure upgrades. 

We, therefore, thank DDG Mokhtar and the ReNuAL project team for the comprehensive informal technical briefing presented to Member States on September 6 providing an important review and updates on the project budget, timelines and resource requirements for ReNuAL 2. 

The project has greatly enhanced the capabilities of the Laboratories in Seibersdorf to help Member States meet their development needs through nuclear science and technology, whether it be to address climate change, transboundary and zoonotic diseases, cancer control, or other key development challenges in the frame of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and as Co-Chairs, we express our appreciation to the 28 Member States that have pledged approximately €20 million to ReNuAL2 so far – reflecting the importance they attach to the laboratories and the modernisation effort.  We also acknowledge and welcome the project team’s efforts to manage costs in the context of a challenging construction market and for indications that the project may soon be in a position to move forward with construction.  

ReNuAL2 is the final phase of this initiative and includes three critically needed elements: construction of a new laboratory building; refurbishment of the Dosimetry Laboratory, and replacement of the laboratories’ ageing greenhouses, all of which are particularly relevant to addressing major current challenges including climate smart agriculture, food insecurity, and environmental management. 

Chair, 

The Co-chairs of the Friends of ReNuAL stand ready to help mobilise the remaining financial resources needed to complete the project, with a view of realising the ReNuAL vision by the end of 2024.  In this regard, we call on all Member States in a position to do so, to continue efforts to help us mobilise these resources and to consider an early contribution, in particular, the € 5.5 M still needed for the new greenhouses. 

There remain a few empty spaces on the ReNuAL 2 donor display, presenting an opportunity to have your country plaque included there for all to see when they visit the future new laboratories building in Seibersdorf and if you haven’t visited the Nuclear Applications laboratories in Seibersdorf recently, I strongly encourage you to do so, particularly as the Laboratories turn 60 this year. 

In closing, we invite Member States to join the September 26 ReNuAL 2 side event on the margins of the General Conference, where new contributors will be honoured with a plaque on the donor display. 

Thank you, Mr. Chair 

AGENDA ITEM 6 : Strengthening the Agency’s Activities Related to Nuclear Science, Technology and Applications 

Madam Chair 

1. My delegation associates itself with the statements delivered on behalf of the G77 and China, the African Group and the co-chairs of the Friends of ReNuAL respectively and I would like to make the following remarks in my national capacity.

2. South Africa welcomes the Report by the Director General and affirms the direct contribution the peaceful use of nuclear power and non-nuclear power applications make towards the promotion and achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the developmental aspirations contained in the African Union’s Agenda 2063. My Delegation is of the firm belief that the Agency’s activities, as reflected in the Director General’s report, highlight the IAEA’s commitment to its motto and mandate.

3. The on-going support provided by the Agency to African Member States under the AU-PATTEC initiative, as detailed in Annex 2 of the Report is appreciated as it continues to make progress in the eradication of tsetse-transmitted trypanosomosis on our Continent. With the Agency’s continued assistance, we can completely eradicate this disease. We also thank the Agency’s support regarding the integration of Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) operations in area-wide integrated pest management (AW-IPM) campaigns.

4. South Africa is a proud recipient of the IAEA’s Sterile Insect Technique  Package for the Management of Disease Transmitting Mosquitoes. Wherever it has been implemented SIT has been successful in yielding long-term efficient and cost-effective results. Our national project titled Assessing the Sterile Insect Technique for Malaria Mosquitos in a South African Setting which has resulted in Africa’s first mosquito mass rearing facility continues to operate successfully with the valuable assistance provided by the Agency. 

5. With regard to Food and Agriculture, as contained in Annex 5 and a developmental priority for South Africa, my delegation welcomes the capacity building and emergency interventions provided by the Agency, through the VETLAB Network. Chair, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted that animal transmitted diseases know no borders, and can devastate the human and animal health globally. The recent global Monkeypox outbreak, as well as the Foot-and-mouth and African Swine Fever disease outbreaks in Southern Africa are reminders of the transmissibility of zoonotic diseases, and we plead with Member States to contribute to ZODIAC and the VETLAB Network in order to support the timeous diagnosis, characterisation and treatment of transboundary and zoonotic diseases.

6. Livestock is a key source of income and development for South Africa and it is in this regard that we take this opportunity to thank the Agency for including my country in Coordinated Research Projects on the practical applications of nuclear and related genomic information to improve the efficiency of national livestock breeding programmes. This use of nuclear applications directly contributes to the attainment of our national priorities, including human health and enhancing food safety and security, which in turn directly addresses one of our major challenges, the eradication of poverty.  

7. On ZODIAC, South Africa will continue to use its expertise and participate in the Senior Expert Team to Implement Bio-risk Management Systems in ZODIAC National Laboratories.

8. It would be remiss of my delegation not to acknowledge the work of the  Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture which, alongside the Nuclear Applications Laboratories in Seibersdorf remain integral to these activities.

9. On Nuclear Knowledge Management, Chair, my delegation reaffirms its commitment to Capacity building and Human Resources Development. While having the most advanced nuclear programme on our Continent, and (host) of one of the world’s first nuclear power stations designed to be specifically resistant to earthquakes – South Africa has a wealth of knowledge and expertise in nuclear and nuclear-related matters. It was, therefore, an honour to host the 3rd South Africa–IAEA Nuclear Energy Management School for participants from 13 Member States, with the purpose of providing an international educational experience for future leaders and managers of nuclear energy programmes in both newcomer countries and those with established programmes from across Africa.

10. Moreover, it would be remiss of my delegation to speak on and highlight the value in the Agency’s activities related to nuclear science, technology and applications without emphasising that women and youth need to be centralised in these activities and programmes. In this regard, we thank the Director General for initiating the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship, which young South African women continue to benefit from .

11. On Nuclear Power applications and in particular, nuclear energy, South Africa’s Integrated Resource Plan 2019 includes nuclear power as part of our 20 year electricity generation plan. Our 2 500 megawatts Nuclear New Build Programme is further informed by South Africa’s Nuclear Energy Policy of 2008 which encompasses nuclear energy in our strategies to mitigate climate change. In this regard, we are pleased with concurrence of the National Electricity Regulator with the Ministerial Determination which paves the way for preparations for the procurement of the Nuclear New Build Programme which is intended to be concluded in 2024. Our procurement process will be guided by international best practice and the IAEA’s milestone approach.  In addition, South Africa remains committed to the continued safe operation of Africa’s only commercial power plant, Koeberg.

12. With these remarks, Chair, my delegation takes notes of document GOV/2022/30 and all its annexures.

AGENDA ITEM 5: NUCLEAR SECURITY 

Chairperson 

At the outset, let me congratulate you on your election as the Chair of the Board and I would like to assure you of my delegation’s cooperation and support. 

My delegation align itself with the statement delivered by the Permanent Representative of Morocco on behalf of the Group of 77 and China as well as the Permanent Representative of Ghana on behalf of the African Group and would like to make the following remarks in our national capacity. 

South Africa joins other in thanking the Secretariat for preparing the Nuclear Security Report 2022 as contained in document GOV/2022/31-GC(66)/8 and also thanks Deputy Director General Lydie Evrard for her opening remarks. 

Nuclear security within a state is the responsibility of that state, South Africa therefore reiterates its commitment to maintaining a strong national nuclear security regime. We further reiterate our view that nuclear security should not be a precondition for access to peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology. 

My delegation appreciates the efforts of the Secretariat in assisting Member States in strengthening nuclear security. The high number of capacity building activities, revision and issuing of publications, the launches of coordinated research papers including on evolving risks as reflected in the report, bears testament to the good work of the Secretariat in this field. 

Chairperson 

We note with appreciation that the nuclear security activities of the Agency as reflected on this report are based on the Nuclear Security Plans for the periods 2018 to 2022 as well as 2022 to 2025. We have also noted the important role that the Secretariat played in the development of the Nuclear Security Plan for the period 2022 to 2025. In a quest to maintain the centrality of the needs of member States in the development of strategic documents of the Agency, my delegation reiterates its position, that the development of future Nuclear Security Plans should be led by Member States and that this approach should be reflected in this year’s General Conference Resolution on Nuclear Security. 

In conclusion, while my delegation has noted the publication of the first Nuclear Security Review, a necessity to define a clear niche for each nuclear security publication exists. We therefore reiterate our previous recommendation that an assessment needs to be made on the added value that could be derived from a Nuclear Security Review. This assessment should include reflection on the human and financial resources required to produce this document. 

With these words, I thank you. 

AGENDA ITEM 9: SAFETY, SECURITY AND SAFEGUARDS IN UKRAINE 

Mr Chairperson 

First of all, allow me to thank the Director General and the Secretariat for the continued updates on the situation around Ukraine’s nuclear facilities as well as that provided to the Board in his Introductory Statement. South Africa appreciates the leadership shown by the Director General and the IAEA as the first international organisation to deploy in the conflict zone leading from the front. 

Mr Chair 

South Africa bemoans the conflict in Ukraine and we reiterate our firm rejection of the illegal use of force under all circumstances and our unwavering commitment to the principles and purposes of the UN Charter.  

We call on both sides to resolve this conflict through earnest engagement and dialogue in good faith with the aim to find a diplomatic solution.South Africa is deeply concerned about the humanitarian crisis that continues to worsen, especially the severe impact on the most vulnerable of society. Furthermore, the wanton destruction of infrastructure as well as the environment, has far reaching consequences that will be felt for ages by the poorest of the poor far beyond the borders of the conflict. 

Mr Chairperson, 

We also reiterate that the responsibility for the safety and security of a State’s nuclear facilities lies entirely with that State and should not be interfered with under any circumstances. South Africa therefore urges the Russian Federation to return the command and full control of Ukraine’s nuclear facilities to the Ukrainian regulator. 

South Africa strongly supports the efforts of the Agency in the execution of its mandate by supporting Ukraine to strengthen the safety and security of its vast nuclear programme.  In addition, we are impressed that the Agency has been able to restart its verification activities. Conducting this work during the current conflict is unprecedented and we want to assure the Director General and the personnel of the IAEA deployed in Ukraine of our gratitude and unwavering support. 

My delegation is therefore troubled that the IAEA access to the ZNPP in the conflict zone has been curtailed and therefore unable to verify the nuclear material, and to evaluate the safety and security at the plants. As we stated perviously the chances of a nuclear disaster in Ukraine is unfortunately very real and we call on the parties to the conflict to facilitate the safe access for the Agency to all the nuclear facilities they have requested to visit. 

South Africa would like to caution against the politicisation of the IAEA’s work, and call on all the parties not to request the Agency to conduct activities or take actions beyond its mandate. 

Mr Chairperson, 

In conclusion, South Africa, further notes with concern that other long-standing conflicts have not received the massive attention enjoyed by this conflict. Whilst we do not deny the deplorable situation in Ukraine, it is important that global outrage is equally distributed to all conflicts  Palestine and Sahrawi for example.  

I thank you.