South Africa’s Ambassador to the International
Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Governor to the Board of IAEA
(Agency), Tebogo Seokolo, was on Monday, 3 October 2016, elected
to serve as its Chair for the period October 2016 to October
2017. The last time South Africa chaired the IAEA Board was in
1959.
The Board of Governors is the major policy-making organ of the
IAEA in between the agency’s annual general conferences. It is
made up of 35 member states, with South Africa serving as one of
the permanent members. The board, among others, provides
strategic oversight over the activities of the Secretariat led
by the Director-General. It also approves the programme and
budget of the organisation and monitors its implementation.
The IAEA is a multilateral body with the responsibility to
promote the safe and secure use of nuclear science and
technology for peace and development. The IAEA has over the
years played an important role in supporting interested member
states, based on their respective needs and priorities, to use
nuclear energy to generate electricity.
South Africa is highly regarded by IAEA member states due to the
development of its peaceful nuclear programme. Through the power
plant in Koeberg, the country generates 5% of total electricity
supply from nuclear. South Africa is the second-largest producer
of medical isotopes, which are used in the diagnosis and
treatment of cancer. Through its research reactor, SAFARI-1,
which has for over 50 years operated safely, securely and
reliably, South Africa exports this life-saving treatment to
over 60 countries the world over.
Since the term of office of the current Director-General comes
to an end during South Africa’s tenure as Chair, Ambassador
Seokolo will facilitate the processes for the appointment of a
Director-General.
In welcoming Ambassador Seokolo’s election as Chair of the IAEA
Board, Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane said: “This election is
an affirmation of South Africa’s leadership role on the world
stage in general and specifically on matters of nuclear
disarmament, nuclear non-proliferation and the peaceful uses of
nuclear energy”. |