Topnews, Statements

24. November 2017

JOINT STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR TEBOGO SEOKOLO, RESIDENT REPRESENTATIVE/GOVERNOR OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA, INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY, BOARD OF GOVERNORS, 24 NOVEMBER 2017, VIENNA, AUSTRIA

AGENDA ITEM 6:  ANY OTHER BUSINESS

RENOVATION OF THE NUCLEAR APPLICATIONS LABORATORIES IN SEIBERSDORF

Chairperson,

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

Chairperson,

Since the inception of the ReNuAL project four years ago, commendable progress has been registered. In this regard, we are pleased that the funding target of 4.7 million Euros to fully complete the construction of the second building of the Flexible Modular Laboratory (FML) was achieved last month. Similarly, we wish to thank the United States, Germany, Japan, and Norway for their additional pledges to this project. To date, approximately 32 million Euros in extra-budgetary contributions have been raised for both ReNuAL and ReNuAL plus. We also appreciate the supportive role played by the Secretariat.

As you may recall, in September this year, the Agency hosted an event at the VIC on the margins of the 61st session of the General Conference to unveil the ReNuAL donor wall to recognise Member States who have financially contributed to the ReNuAL project and to invoke the interest of other potential Member State contributors. The donor wall is now displayed in the new Insect Pest Control Laboratory (IPCL) in Seibersdorf and we hope that it will continue to be populated further as more Friends of ReNuAL and other equally committed Member States contribute to this noble cause.

Chairperson,

We also welcome the progress that has been made in the construction of the laboratory buildings. In September this year, we witnessed the inauguration of the new Insect Pest Control Laboratory (IPCL) in Seibersdorf. In our view, the inauguration of the IPCL marked an important milestone in the renovation of the Nuclear Applications laboratories in Seibersdorf as this was the first time that these laboratories received comprehensive renovation since their establishment in 1962. We believe that the additional space in the IPCL will strengthen the Agency’s ability to assist Member States in controlling insect pests that endanger both human and animal health as well as our crops.

ReNuAL is an illustration of how we as Member States, working together in practical terms, can harness our efforts in the areas of nuclear science and technology, to advance the cause of humanity. Collaborating with the Secretariat, we can further realise the Agency’s motto of “Atoms for peace and development”.

Chairperson

As indicated earlier, a lot of ground has been covered in the implementation of the ReNuAL project but our work is not yet completed. There is still much more that needs to be done to successfully complete ReNuAL plus. Member States will recall that the target budget for ReNuAL plus is 26 million Euros. In this regard, we appeal to Member States and non-traditional donors to continue to make financial and in-kind contributions to this project in order to successfully complete the remaining elements of the ReNuAL plus milestone.

I thank you.

© Copyright by SA Embassy 2020