STATEMENT DELIVERED BY AMBASSADOR RAPULANE MOLEKANE, RESIDENT REPRESENTATIVE/GOVERNOR OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA, AT THE IAEA BOARD OF GOVERNORS, 10 MARCH 2023, VIENNA AUSTRIA

RESTORATION OF SOVEREIGN EQUALITY IN THE IAEA

AGENDA ITEM 

Mr Chairperson

My delegation aligns itself with the statement delivered on behalf of the African Group and would like to state the following in our national capacity.

The reform of the international system and global governance institutions is a major priority for the South African Government. As my country has stated in various international platforms, we will not cease our advocacy until the antiquated institutions of the previous century, created before our Continent was liberated have been brought into the 21^st Century. We reiterate our firm position that all States, based on the principle of sovereign equality, have the inherent right to stand for election to important leadership positions in all international organisations, and the IAEA should not be an exception to that rule.

The existence of the so-called “homeless states” in such an important organ in global governance due to them not being accepted into a geographical group is both unjust and irrational. The power to change this situation is in all our own hands.  We therefore call on all Member States, including States from our Continent, that have not yet ratified Article 6 to do so without further delay.

We thank the delegation of Kazakhstan for ensuring that this injustice remains in our focus and stand ready to support an inclusive process to address this anomaly.

I thank you

back