STATEMENT DELIVERED BY AMBASSADOR RAPULANE MOLEKANE, GOVERNOR/RESIDENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA, AT THE IAEA BOARD OF GOVERNORS, 9 JUNE, VIENNA, AUSTRIA

AGENDA ITEM 13: SOVEREIGN EQUALITY OF MEMBER STATE

Mr Chairperson

The reform of the international system and global governance institutions is a major priority for the South African Government. As we said on countless occasions, we will not cease our advocacy until the antiquated institution of the previous century, created before our Continent was liberated have been brought into the 21^st Century. This is also true of the IAEA

It is unforgivable and illogical that such an important organ in global governance has so-called “homeless states” just because of an irrational division of groups. The power to change this situation is in all our own hands and we call on all Member States, including on our Continent, that have not yet ratified Art 6 to do so urgently.

We reiterate that all States, based on the principle of sovereign equality, have the inherent right to stand for election for important leadership positions in all international organisations, the IAEA should not be an exception to that rule. We therefore stand ready to support the proposal made by Kazakhstan so that we can move forward and accelerate the process

I thank you

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