Topnews, Statements

25. Juli 2019

TRIBUTE BY DR JOHNNY PITSWANE, ALTERNATE RESIDENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA, AT THE EXTRAORDINARY MEETING OF THE THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY, 25 JULY 2019, VIENNA, AUSTRIA

Madame Chair,

It was with great sadness that my delegation learned of the untimely passing of Director General Yukiya Amano. Allow me therefore to first of all reiterate the sincere condolences of the Government and People of South Africa to the Agency as well as the Government and People of Japan, his family and friends for the loss of Mr Amano.

South Africa further aligns itself with the statements delivered on behalf of the African Group, the G77 and China, as well as the Non-Aligned Movement respectively.  We wish to make the following additional comments in our national capacity.

Madame Chair

Mr Amano, a seasoned diplomat, dedicated his life to serve the global community selflessly and he embodied the very ideal of what an international civil servant is.  Mr Amano’s personal dedication to the elimination of nuclear weapons and the prevention of their proliferation served the Agency and its Member States well by guiding the Agency through difficult challenges. He carried out his duties under the Agency’s mandate in an efficient, transparent and impartial manner and without prejudice.

As Director General, Mr Amano, tirelessly worked to further enhance the Agency’s support to Member States, particularly in the developing world, in exercising the inalienable right to the peaceful application of nuclear energy.  He understood the critical role played by the IAEA in promoting the global common good.  Furthermore, under his leadership we saw a significant increase in the Agency’s support to Member States in expanding the use of nuclear energy in support of sustainable economic development.

Amongst his many achievements, my delegation will also remember him as a friend of ReNuAL.

I thank you.

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