Topnews, Statements

20. November 2017

STATEMENT BY DR JOHNNY THABO PITSWANE, DEPUTY RESIDENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA, INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND COOPERATION COMMITTEE, 20 NOVEMBER 2017, VIENNA, AUSTRIA

AGENDA ITEM 3: EVALUATIONS OF TECHNICAL COOPERATION ACTIVITIES IN 2017

Chairperson,

My delegation associates itself with the statements delivered on behalf of the African Group and the G77 and China respectively. I would like to make the following remarks in our national capacity.

Chairperson,

South Africa welcomes the report of the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) on the Evaluation of Technical Cooperation activities in 2017. We believe that this regular evaluation of the implementation of TC activities is necessary as it helps to improve management efficiency, programme effectiveness and enhance accountability.

We are pleased to note that the evaluation of the TC activities is inclusive in nature and closely involves programme stakeholders throughout the process. We also share the view of the Secretariat that indeed the evaluation process facilitates open dialogue on the programme implementation and ultimately enhances capacity building within organizations. In this regard, we encourage the Secretariat to continue to apply this approach when conducting future evaluations of the TC projects.

My delegation noted that in 2017 the Office Office of Internal Oversight Services formulated 47 recommendations related to the TC activities and none of the recommendations have been rejected by the Secretariat. In this regard, my delegation encourages the Secretariat to fully and timely implement all the OIOS’ recommendations including from the previous evaluations.

Chairperson

South Africa welcomes the Country-Level Evaluation and Audit (CLEA) mission including its recommendations undertaken to our country in the second half of last year to evaluate TC projects from the period 2009 to 2015. My delegation takes the opportunity to thank the OIOS for the rigorous manner in which they have conducted the Country-Level Evaluation and Audit mission to my country and the feedback provided. We are pleased to note that the report indicates that South Africa’s TC activities are well aligned with the Government’s Medium Term Strategic Framework (MTSF).  The report further indicates that our TC projects in the areas of health, neutron beam technology, accelerator spectrometry and regulation will be sustainable.

The Evaluation report however, indicates that there were some challenges with the implementation of change control processes which has resulted in gaps in project recording and reporting. We have taken note of all the areas that have been identified and which require strengthening. These are being addressed and the Secretariat will be informed accordingly in due course.

Chairperson,

Finally, we pay homage to Mr Carsten Meyer, the Director of OIOS for his leadership, dedication and passion for his work, including his availability to always provide advice to Member States. The Director is ably supported by an excellent team of dedicated professionals in his unit who are carrying their mandate with distinction. We also thank them.

With these remarks, my delegation takes note of the report on Evaluation of the Technical Cooperation Activities in 2017.

Thank you.

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