Posts in category: Media Statements

AGENDA ITEM 4: VERIFICATION AND MONITORING IN THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN IN LIGHT OF UN SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION 223 (2015) 

Mr Chairperson 

We thank the Director General for the report and for keeping the Board updated about developments in Iran regarding its nuclear related commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). 

South Africa is also grateful for your personal efforts as well as those of your team, to continue direct engagement with the Iranian authorities to ensure that the Agency sustains its continuity of knowledge in light of the steps taken by Iran to suspend the transparency measures of the JCPOA. My delegation especially welcomes the agreement reached to reinstall monitoring equipment at the Karaj centrifuge facilities as well as the fact that the IAEA was able to move this equipment to Esfahan, upon the move of the facility. These steps are signs of good will and intention to continue and strengthen cooperation in light of the imminent deal towards the restoration of the JCPOA. 

Mr Chairperson 

South Africa is disappointed that we are not yet in a position to welcome the conclusion of the nearly year-long discussions on the full reinstatement of the JCPOA. In our view these talks have taken too long especially because Iran’s breaches of its nuclear related commitments have continued unabated. We are especially concerned about the huge stockpile of uranium that has been accumulated as well as the fact that the stockpile contains material enriched up to 20% and 60%. 

There is no doubt that Iran’s nuclear programme has increased substantial in size since the unilateral withdrawal of the United States in 2018, making regional and the global stability more fragile. We do however, welcome the current US Administration’s commitment to stay the course and to engage in good faith in negotiations to pave the way for its return to the JCPOA. 

Mr Chairperson 

My delegation is acutely aware of the hard work that lies ahead for the IAEA when a deal is reached to undertake verification of Iran’s accounting and control of its entire stockpile, the level of enrichment and type of material of the stockpile, the number of centrifuges it has developed and all other material and facilities related to the nuclear fuel cycle. Major steps are required for Iran to return to the limitations of the JCPOA. Equally daunting will be the task to verify the uplifting of the far reaching United States illegal maximum pressure campaign and to return the balance of economic benefit of the deal. South Africa wants to reiterate its strong support to all sides in their endeavours to not only finalise the deal, but to also prepare for the re-implementation of the deal. 

As we meet here today, the global peace, stability and security is in a far worse state than it was a mere three months ago. The finalisation of the JCPOA, is desperately needed to not only stabilise the Middle East region, but also as a sign of hope that dialogue and engagement is far better than the alternative. No matter how long it takes or how many stumbling blocks are in the way, dialogue and diplomacy always triumph. 

No one can ever tell a South African, that dialogue and negotiated settlements are hopeless.  We therefore call on the parties to stay engaged and to push for the finalisation of the agreement to return the JCPOA to its rightful place as a key instrument in global non-proliferation and disarmament. 

With these remarks South Africa takes note of the reports by the Director General on this important topic. 

I thank you. 

AGENDA ITEM 5 (C): NPT SAFEGUARDS IN THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN 

Mr Chairperson 

South Africa commends the Director General and his team, as well as the Islamic Republic of Iran for their continued engagement and for continuing to work on finding a way forward on these long outstanding issues. 

As we have said many times before, safeguards implementation is a statutory and sacrosanct legal commitments under the NPT.  Therefore, the implementation of these obligations under safeguards agreements are set in stone and non-negotiable. 

We look forward to receiving updates as the Agency and Iran progress in the implementation of the agreement reached over the weekend. We are hopeful that the Director General and the Agency’s efforts will yield positive outcomes and that Iran will be able to provide credible answers to these outstanding questions, so that the item can be removed from the Board’s agenda. 

As we said before, South Africa knows that Iran has a partner in the IAEA that will work tirelessly to resolve these issues, and that the Agency will do so without politicising the matter and with the utmost professionalism and impartiality. 

Mr Chair 

The report mentions some important developments, among others that the IAEA has concluded that it has no additional questions regarding the location of the uranium metal. However, the matter is not completely resolved and we are hopeful that with continued dialogue this and other matters will be resolved soon. 

With these few remarks, South Africa takes note of the report as contained in document GOV/2022/5. 

AGENDA ITEM 2: NUCLEAR AND RADIATION SAFETY: NUCLEAR SAFETY REVIEW 2022 

Mr Chairman

South Africa aligns itself with the statements delivered by the distinguished representative of the Kingdom of Morocco on behalf of the Group of 77 and China as well as the statement read on behalf of the African Group. 

We thank the Director General and his team for the report. My delegation fully supports the priorities and activities identified in the report for 2022 in the area of nuclear safety. Our National Nuclear Regulator and its Centre for Nuclear Safety and Security (CNSS) is available to support the IAEA in its planned activities in the implementaiton of these objectives and will surely provide inputs before the deadline of the 11 April for consideration. 

South Africa reaffirms the principle that the nuclear safety, rests entirely in the hands and responsibility of that state. We are also grateful for the IAEA’s continued support to Member States in this important area. 

South Africa is strongly committed to the fulfilment of our international legal obligations, including under the Convention of Nuclear Safety and the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management. In addition, we call on all Member States to reiterate their commitment to protection of humankind against nuclear accidents and incidents through the full implementation of these instruments as well as the Geneva Conventions and Protocols. 

Furthermore, as a major producer and exporter of radioactive sources, South Africa endorsed the multilateral Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources and its associated Guidance on the Import and Export of Radioactive Sources. 

Our commitment to these instruments is evidenced by our track record of operating one of the world’s oldest and best run nuclear power plants and research reactors. 

Mr Chairman 

We have noted with satisfaction the growing interest among Member States to improve their ability to respond quickly and effectively to nuclear and radiological emergencies and the support the Agency is providing to Member States in this regard. 

In South Africa our National Nuclear Regulator is continuously working to strengthen the country’s Emergency Planning and Preparedness, especially in light of the long term operation of the Koeberg Nuclear Power Plant and the planned decommissioning and replacement of the  SAFARI research reactors. The maintenance and protection of public health and the health and well being of the environment is of utmost importance to South Africa and we will continue to work with the IAEA to strengthen our nuclear safety regulations and provisions. This is also important in the management and disposal of nuclear and radiological waste. 

Mr Chairman, 

My delegation has also noted with interest that the IAEA’s training activities have continued to expand, despite the limitations of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the use of webinars that has reached over 6000 participants in 2021. 

As the report points out, human resource development, skills transfer, training and education is essential for sustaining the safe operation of nuclear facilities such as nuclear power plants and research reactors. In South Africa’s case, the nuclear industry’s human resources is ageing and facing retirement, that can lead to the loss of experience, which could adversely affect the safe operation of our various programmes. We therefore welcome these training programmes especially for our youth and women in particular. 

In closing, South Africa looks forward to working with the IAEA in the year ahead as we slowly return to normal, including in engaging on the safe operation of new technologies such as Small Modular Reactors and the long term operation of nuclear power and research reactors. We are also committed to working with all Member States as we prepare the resolutions for this year’s General Conference, including the Nuclear and Radiation Safety resolution, which is an essential policy document guiding our activities moving forward. 

With these remarks, South Africa takes not of document GOV/2022/3. 

AGENDA ITEM 3: STRENGTHENING THE AGENCY’S ACTIVITIES RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND APPLICATIONS: NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY REVIEW 2022 

Mr Chair, 

1. My delegation associates itself with the statements delivered by the African Group as well as the G77 and China. Similarly, we associate ourselves with the earlier joint-statement delivered 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.

Mr Chair, 

2. South Africa thanks the Director General for presenting the Nuclear Technology Review 2022 which highlights the positive role that peaceful uses of nuclear energy continues to play in various fields including nuclear power, human health, food and agriculture, the environment and radioisotopes and radiation technology.

3. South Africa recognises nuclear power as a stable and resilient low-carbon source of energy, as such, nuclear power is an integral part of South Africa’s energy mix. Pursuant to our Nuclear New Build Programme, the National Energy Regulator of South Africa, issued its concurrence with the ministerial determination on the procurement of 2500 megawatts new generation capacity in September 2021. We are now developing the Procurement Framework and designing a competitive bidding process which will contain a well-defined road map that will guide our procurement process. The IAEA’s expertise as well as its documented supportive processes including the Generic User Requirements and Criteria (GURC) will serve as valuable resources in guiding our activities.

4. South Africa has made good progress towards extending the original forty years life span of the two units in the Koeberg Nuclear Power Plant by another 20 years. In this regard, the Regulator has accepted the Long-Term Operation (LTO) license application and the LTO safety case will be delivered in July 2022. Similarly, the Steam Generator Replacement project is progressing well. South Africa looks forward to the next SALTO peer review session following the postponement of the session originally planned for January 2022.

5. Furthermore, our research Reactor SAFARI – 1, which is one of the four largest producers of medical isotopes and ranks high amongst the best operated research reactors in the world, will reach the end of its operational life shortly. My government has since decided to replace SAFARI – 1 with a new Multipurpose Reactor. To this end a multidisciplinary team has been established to coordinate this project. We looks forward to cooperating with Agency in this endeavor. 

Mr Chair, 

6. South Africa fully supports Rays of Hope – the new initiative launched on the margins of the AU Summit on World Cancer Day. The establishment and expansion of radiotherapy and diagnostic facilities is integral in combatting the cancer scourge that plagues our continent and South African experts, institutions and facilities remain at the Agency’s disposal to provide capacity building, training, and support.

7. Nuclear Medicine continues to be at the forefront of combating cancer; and with Steve Biko Academic Hospital, as the leading African (Nuclear Medicine) hospital with world-renowned expertise in Theranostics and the hospital being global leader in the treatment of prostate cancer – South Africa welcomes the Agency’s support to Member States in establishing facilities and providing training on Theranostics. With the Agency’s assistance, South Africa has successfully implemented radio-theranostics in several cancers, and we further applaud the Agency for its continued work in developing new techniques in this regard.

8. On Food and Agriculture, South Africa takes this opportunity to thank the Agency and AFRA with entrusting us with hosting the Second Africa Food Safety Workshop and the Regional Meeting on Food Safety. We look forward to fruitful discussions and concrete outcomes.  

9. South Africa welcomes the Artificial Intelligence for Nuclear Sciences and Applications section in the NTR and my delegation perceives A.I. as an opportunity and stimulus for the further development of Nuclear Sciences and Applications. We are proud to inform that a South African is currently conducting their PhD on applying machine learning schemes for optimising the fuel loading for nuclear reactors, which will further help to improve their safety and utilisation.

Mr Chair, 

10. My Delegation attaches great significance to the important role women and youth play in the nuclear field globally. South Africa remains fully supportive of the activities taken to achieve gender mainstreaming and in the week of International Women’s Day (8 March), we urge the Secretariat to continue to apply youth and gender best practices when conducting and hosting workshops and training courses.

11. In conclusion, my delegation wishes to remind Member States that one of the core reasons for the existence of the IAEA is to assist Member States to reap the benefits of nuclear technology. All humanity should be able to utilise the technology for socio-economic development in support of the UN Sustainable Development goals  

With these remarks, South Africa takes note of the report. Thank you. 

AGENDA ITEM 2: NUCLEAR AND RADIATION SAFETY: NUCLEAR SAFETY REVIEW 2022 

Mr Chairman 

South Africa aligns itself with the statements delivered by the distinguished representative of the Kingdom of Morocco on behalf of the Group of 77 and China as well as the statement read on behalf of the African Group. 

We thank the Director General and his team for the report. My delegation fully supports the priorities and activities identified in the report for 2022 in the area of nuclear safety. Our National Nuclear Regulator and its Centre for Nuclear Safety and Security (CNSS) is available to support the IAEA in its planned activities in the implementaiton of these objectives and will surely provide inputs before the deadline of the 11 April for consideration. 

South Africa reaffirms the principle that the nuclear safety, rests entirely in the hands and responsibility of that state. We are also grateful for the IAEA’s continued support to Member States in this important area. 

South Africa is strongly committed to the fulfilment of our international legal obligations, including under the Convention of Nuclear Safety and the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management. In addition, we call on all Member States to reiterate their commitment to protection of humankind against nuclear accidents and incidents through the full implementation of these instruments as well as the Geneva Conventions and Protocols. 

Furthermore, as a major producer and exporter of radioactive sources, South Africa endorsed the multilateral Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources and its associated Guidance on the Import and Export of Radioactive Sources. 

Our commitment to these instruments is evidenced by our track record of operating one of the world’s oldest and best run nuclear power plants and research reactors. 

Mr Chairman 

We have noted with satisfaction the growing interest among Member States to improve their ability to respond quickly and effectively to nuclear and radiological emergencies and the support the Agency is providing to Member States in this regard. 

In South Africa our National Nuclear Regulator is continuously working to strengthen the country’s Emergency Planning and Preparedness, especially in light of the long term operation of the Koeberg Nuclear Power Plant and the planned decommissioning and replacement of the  SAFARI research reactors. The maintenance and protection of public health and the health and well being of the environment is of utmost importance to South Africa and we will continue to work with the IAEA to strengthen our nuclear safety regulations and provisions. This is also important in the management and disposal of nuclear and radiological waste. 

Mr Chairman, 

My delegation has also noted with interest that the IAEA’s training activities have continued to expand, despite the limitations of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the use of webinars that has reached over 6000 participants in 2021. 

As the report points out, human resource development, skills transfer, training and education is essential for sustaining the safe operation of nuclear facilities such as nuclear power plants and research reactors. In South Africa’s case, the nuclear industry’s human resources is ageing and facing retirement, that can lead to the loss of experience, which could adversely affect the safe operation of our various programmes. We therefore welcome these training programmes especially for our youth and women in particular. 

In closing, South Africa looks forward to working with the IAEA in the year ahead as we slowly return to normal, including in engaging on the safe operation of new technologies such as Small Modular Reactors and the long term operation of nuclear power and research reactors. We are also committed to working with all Member States as we prepare the resolutions for this year’s General Conference, including the Nuclear and Radiation Safety resolution, which is an essential policy document guiding our activities moving forward. 

With these remarks, South Africa takes not of document GOV/2022/3. 

Mr Chairperson 

My delegation abstained from this resolution today mainly because we would prefer that the situation in Ukraine is addressed in the appropriate forum, namely the United Nations, preferably the Security Council, which unfortunately in its unreformed archaic state is unable to act. Furthermore, South Africa always calls for inclusive processes of negotiations before resolutions are put to a vote to ensure that all of us in the Board have an equal opportunity to propose and amend text. 

Our abstention should not be misconstrued or misinterpreted in anyway except to what we have always stood for “peaceful resolution of conflicts and power of dialogue.” 

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 welcome the tentative talks between Ukraine and Russia as a positive start to find lasting solution. We hope that these tentative talks will lead to good faith engagement that will eventually result in a sustainable diplomatic solution to this deeply troubling conflict. 

This armed conflict, like all others, will result only in unnecessary human suffering, especially of the most vulnerable, the wanton destruction of infrastructure and will severely impact environment and have serious global ramifications. 

Furthermore, the threat to the stability of Chernobyl and the exclusion zone and the impact of the conflict on all the nuclear facilities in Ukraine is of serious concern to South Africa. Attacks against nuclear facilities – regardless of size – will be a contravention of the Statute of the IAEA and the decisions of the General Conference and will trigger the Board to take harsh action against the perpetrators. 

We reiterate our call for that the control and command of the nuclear facilities at Chernobyl should remain in the rightful civilian authorities of Ukraine and for all sides to ensure the safe and secure conduct of the peaceful nuclear activities in that country. 

South Africa also reiterates its call, in support of the Director General’s expressed intention, that the IAEA is enabled to continue with its nuclear verification activities at all the nuclear sites and facilities inline with Ukraine’s Comprehensive Safeguard’s Agreement and Additional Protocol. 

Mr Chairperson 

We fear that conflict will have even more diabolical consequences – because of the threat of use of nuclear weapons, which we denounce in the strongest terms. 

This threat again illustrates that there are no safe hands for these deplorable weapons and that their mere existence is not only a threat to international peace and security, but also to our mere existence. These weapons are an existential threat to every person and every country represented in this room today. Do not be fooled – once used, there is no going back. There will be no tomorrow and no hope! 

We therefore urge every State represented here to reject the delusion that nuclear weapons are a safe haven – an instrument of peace. The planet is much safer without these instruments of evil. South Africa urges all Nuclear Weapon States to follow our lead and to implement their commitments under the NPT without further delay – we have already waited more than 50 years for you to do the right thing. 

Mr Chairperson 

We stress that peace is best built through diplomacy and dialogue within the framework of the institutions of global dialogue, especially the United Nations. It is important for all nations to respect and uphold the principles of international law, including international humanitarian law and the provisions of the UN Charter. 

South Africa, further notes with concern that other long -standing conflicts have not received the massive attention probably because of the fear of nuclear disaster, we call upon all of us to devote the equal energy and attention to end human suffering wherever the UN Charter and human rights are violated. 

To conclude, South Africa endorses the statement issued by the African Union Commission expressing concern at the treatment meted against African nationals and other people at the borders of Ukraine, some of whom are not allowed to cross and move to safety. We urge European countries to take steps to resolve this discrimination and racist situation as all people have a right to cross international borders during times of conflict. 

I thank you. 

Mr Chairperson 

My delegation abstained from this resolution today mainly because we would prefer that the situation in Ukraine is addressed in the appropriate forum, namely the United Nations, preferably the Security Council, which unfortunately in its unreformed archaic state is unable to act. Furthermore, South Africa always calls for inclusive processes of negotiations before resolutions are put to a vote to ensure that all of us in the Board have an equal opportunity to propose and amend text. 

Our abstention should not be misconstrued or misinterpreted in anyway except to what we have always stood for “peaceful resolution of conflicts and power of dialogue.” 

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 welcome the tentative talks between Ukraine and Russia as a positive start to find lasting solution. We hope that these tentative talks will lead to good faith engagement that will eventually result in a sustainable diplomatic solution to this deeply troubling conflict. 

This armed conflict, like all others, will result only in unnecessary human suffering, especially of the most vulnerable, the wanton destruction of infrastructure and will severely impact environment and have serious global ramifications. 

Furthermore, the threat to the stability of Chernobyl and the exclusion zone and the impact of the conflict on all the nuclear facilities in Ukraine is of serious concern to South Africa. Attacks against nuclear facilities – regardless of size – will be a contravention of the Statute of the IAEA and the decisions of the General Conference and will trigger the Board to take harsh action against the perpetrators. 

We reiterate our call for that the control and command of the nuclear facilities at Chernobyl should remain in the rightful civilian authorities of Ukraine and for all sides to ensure the safe and secure conduct of the peaceful nuclear activities in that country. 

South Africa also reiterates its call, in support of the Director General’s expressed intention, that the IAEA is enabled to continue with its nuclear verification activities at all the nuclear sites and facilities inline with Ukraine’s Comprehensive Safeguard’s Agreement and Additional Protocol. 

Mr Chairperson 

We fear that conflict will have even more diabolical consequences – because of the threat of use of nuclear weapons, which we denounce in the strongest terms. 

This threat again illustrates that there are no safe hands for these deplorable weapons and that their mere existence is not only a threat to international peace and security, but also to our mere existence. These weapons are an existential threat to every person and every country represented in this room today. Do not be fooled – once used, there is no going back. There will be no tomorrow and no hope! 

We therefore urge every State represented here to reject the delusion that nuclear weapons are a safe haven – an instrument of peace. The planet is much safer without these instruments of evil. South Africa urges all Nuclear Weapon States to follow our lead and to implement their commitments under the NPT without further delay – we have already waited more than 50 years for you to do the right thing. 

Mr Chairperson 

We stress that peace is best built through diplomacy and dialogue within the framework of the institutions of global dialogue, especially the United Nations. It is important for all nations to respect and uphold the principles of international law, including international humanitarian law and the provisions of the UN Charter. 

South Africa, further notes with concern that other long -standing conflicts have not received the massive attention probably because of the fear of nuclear disaster, we call upon all of us to devote the equal energy and attention to end human suffering wherever the UN Charter and human rights are violated. 

To conclude, South Africa endorses the statement issued by the African Union Commission expressing concern at the treatment meted against African nationals and other people at the borders of Ukraine, some of whom are not allowed to cross and move to safety. We urge European countries to take steps to resolve this discrimination and racist situation as all people have a right to cross international borders during times of conflict. 

I thank you. 

Mr Chairperson Heads of the Vienna Based Organisations, Your Excellencies and Colleagues 

First of all on behalf of the South African delegation allow me to wish all of you a blessed, prosperous and healthy 2022. Furthermore, we look forward to making 2022 a productive and effective year for our Group in all its engagements in the international organisations here in Vienna. 

Secondly, my delegation wishes to thank Ambassador Alejandro Solano Ortiz, and the delegation of Costa Rica and the Task Force coordinators, for the excellent manner in which all of you worked together to steer our Group through 2021 and all the difficulties that we experienced. Under your leadership the Group was visible and impactful. The statistics you shared in your statement shows how busy your chairship was. Thank you also for the reflection on what we can do to ensure that our impact as a Group remains high and effective. 

Thirdly, to our compatriot from our beloved Continent of Africa, Ambassador Farhane, we wish to congratulate you on your appointment as the Chairperson of the Group for 2022. As pointed out already, this Group is an essential tool for developing countries and its unity is instrumental in ensuring that our collective voice is heard and that we are impactful in our engagements in the international organisations here in Vienna; and we agree that a strong G77 directly contributes to the strengthening of the Vienna Spirit. 

We wish you and your team all the best as you execute this important role. Please be assured of our continued commitment and support to the Group and to you and your team as you execute this important role. 

Finally, Annemarie it would be remiss of us to not thank you for your support to us as a delegation.  Your in-depth knowledge and institutional memory will be missed as we move forward to ensure that the Group’s objectives are advanced. Moreover, we will miss your kindness and friendship. We wish you well for your future plans and wish you a restful retirement. 

I thank you.