Topnews, Statements
11. Mai 2020
STATEMENT DELIVERED BY AMBASSADOR RAPULANE MOLEKANE, RESIDENT REPRESENTATIVE/GOVERNOR OF SOUTH AFRICA, AT THE IAEA BOARD OF GOVERNORS PROGRAMME AND BUDGET COMMITTEE (PBC), 11 MAY 2020, VIENNA, AUSTRIA
AGENDA ITEM 3: THE AGENCY’S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR 2019, INCLUDING THE REPORT ON THE EXTERNAL AUDITOR
Madam Chair,
My delegation associates itself with the statement made by the Permanent Representative of Malaysia on behalf of the G77 and China. I would like to make the following remarks in my national capacity.
South Africa commends the Director General and the Secretariat for the assistance provided to Member States in dealing with COVID-19 and we further appreciate the commitment on the VETLAB Network in this regard.
We thank the Deputy Director-General and Head of the Department of Management for her introductory remarks and the Secretariat for preparing the documentation under this agenda item. Similarly, my delegation appreciates the technical briefing provided during the Workshop on Financial and Budgetary Matters held on 28 April 2020.
Madam Chair, South Africa welcomes the Agency’s Financial Statements for 2019 which indicate the Agency’s continued strong overall financial health, an effective Regular Budget utilisation rate and the Agency’s commitment to prudent financial management.
Madam Chair, my delegation notes that during 2019, the rate of collection of assessed contributions decreased to 90% and that the total outstanding Regular Budget contributions from 2019 and prior years, amounted to approximately 55 million euros. This unfortunate development presents a liquidity risk to the Agency and its programmes. In this regard, South Africa encourages Member States to pay their assessed contributions in full and on time.
Finally, Madam Chair, South Africa further welcomes the Report of the External Auditor for 2019 which has declared an unqualified audit opinion on the Agency’s Financial Statements for the financial year ended 31 December 2019. We thank the Audit Board of the Republic of Indonesia for their independence, professionalism and dedication.
With these brief comments, my delegation takes note of the Agency's Financial Statements for 2019, as contained in document GOV/2020/12, and documents GOV/INF/2020/1 and GOV/INF/2020/4.
Thank you.