STATEMENT DELIVERED BY MS HARSHANA GOOLAB, FIRST SECRETARY, PERMANENT MISSION OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA, AT THE IAEA BOARD OF GOVERNORS, 4 JUNE 2024, VIENNA, AUSTRIA

AGENDA ITEM 3: STRENGTHENING OF THE AGENCY’S TECHNICAL COOPERATION ACTIVITIES –

TECHNICAL COOPERATION REPORT 2023

Thank you, Mr Chair

My delegation associates itself with the statements delivered on behalf of the G77 and China and the African Group respectively.

I am proud that the Steve Biko Academic Hospital in Pretoria has been designated as an IAEA Anchor Centre with the Rays of Hope Initiative.

As the leading African Member State on cancer and theranostics, South Africa offers its nuclear medicine institutions and facilities in support of Rays of Hope and its goal of expanding access to cancer care and treatment, particularly in Africa. We look forward to deepening our efforts and relations with the Agency in this field.

A practical example of this cooperation is the participation of South African universities in a network that will host a harmonised curriculum in support of a masters programme in radiopharmacy. This was developed with the support of the regional TC Project “Strengthening the Capacities for Radiopharmacy and Medical Physics and Radiology for Expansion and Sustainability of Medical Imaging Services - Phase II (AFRA)”. We expect this Masters programme to be launched later this year.

Mr Chair,

South Africa continues to participate in Phase III of the TC project “Assessing the Sterile Insect Technique for Malaria Mosquitoes” towards the long-term goal of eradicating Malaria. In this regard, South Africa has developed standard procedures for mass rearing, quality control and mosquito handling and transportation for the primary vector of malaria in Africa. The release of sterile male mosquitoes resulted in a decline in the wild population density of this type of malaria. It is hoped that these procedures can be used as a template for all genetically based control methods currently under development.

Mr Chair,

These successes and the stated ambitious objectives of the TC programme can only be achieved with the necessary funding to support these important projects, activities, training and capacity building programmes. My delegation, therefore, calls for the timely and full payment of assessed and voluntary contributions to ensure that the Agency’s resources for TC activities are sufficient, assured and predictable.

Mr Chair,

South Africa welcomes the efforts made by the Agency towards increasing the representation of women in the Secretariat and TC programmes and activities. The under representation of women in training as fellows, scientific visitors, training courses and meeting participants continues, particularly in Africa. Therefore, my delegation calls on Member States to increase their nomination of women for participation in the Agency’s TC programmes and activities.

In conclusion, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Departments of Technical Cooperation and Nuclear Sciences and Applications for their dedicated efforts, together with Member States, for the development, implementation and monitoring of the TC Programme and the drafting of this report. My delegation will continue to work together with our PMO, AFRA and the Secretariat in ensuring that advances in nuclear science and technology is available to all, for peace and development.

With these remarks, Mr Chair, my delegation takes note of the Technical Cooperation Report for 2023 as contained in GOV/2024/24 and its Supplement.

I thank you.

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