STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR RAPULANE MOLEKANE, RESIDENT REPRESENTATIVE/GOVERNOR OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA, IAEA BOARD OF GOVERNORS, 10 SEPTEMBER 2019, VIENNA, AUSTRIA

Agenda Item 6: Verification and Monitoring in the Islamic Republic of Iran in light of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231 (2015)

South Africa welcomes the Director General’s report of 30 August 2019 on verification and monitoring in the Islamic Republic of Iran in light of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231 (2015), as contained in document GOV/2019/32 and GOV/2019/INF/10. We also appreciate the detailed technical briefing provided to Member States on 05 September 2019 on this report.

Madam Chair,

South Africa appreciates the important role the Agency plays in the area of nuclear non-proliferation, as this contributes immensely towards the maintenance of international peace and security.  In carrying out its work in the area of safeguards implementation, the Agency constitutes a central component in the building of an effective and durable global non-proliferation regime. We therefore commend the good work undertaken by Agency inspectors in relation to verification and monitoring activities in the Islamic Republic of Iran, as well as the cooperation of Iran. Furthermore, Iran continues to provisionally apply the Additional Protocols to its Safeguards Agreement in accordance with Article 17 (b) of the Additional Protocol, pending its entry into force. In addition, Iran has consistently cooperated with the Agency, as illustrated by its implementation of numerous transparency measures, this should be done timely, as requested by the Agency.

Madame Chair,

Safeguards implementation constitutes a central component in the building of an effective, durable global nuclear Non-Proliferation regime. It is therefore incumbent on all Member States to support the Agency as it continues to carry out its responsibilities in a balanced, transparent and impartial manner.

Madame Chair

The JCPoA remains the only credible, viable and internationally binding legal instrument on the Iran nuclear issue. Therefore, signatories to the JCPoA should continue their efforts to ensure that the agreement is implemented and preserved, and that it is fair and balanced to all its participants. This will ensure that the aspect of trust, and the conviction that all the provisions of the agreement, including economic elements, are addressed. We are hopeful that the Joint Commission, with its relevant mechanisms, will continue to address matters in this regard. Finally, we urge the international community as a whole to tirelessly support this historic accord.

With these remarks my Delegation takes note of the report of the Director General as contained in document GOV/2019/32 and GOV/2019/INF/10.

I Thank You.

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