General Assembly: 21st plenary meeting, 79th session

INTRODUCTION OF DRAFT RESOLUTION A/79/L.7 ON THE REPORT OF THE INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY TO THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Mr. President,
In Ghana’s capacity as the Chair of the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency, I have the honour to introduce the annual draft resolution on the report of the International Atomic Energy Agency contained in document A/79/L.7 of 10th October 2024.

At the outset, I wish to thank Director-General Rafael Mariano Grossi for fulfilling the submission obligation of the Agency in accordance with article III, paragraph 1 (a) of the Agreement governing the relationship between the United Nations and the Agency for the reporting period of 2023.

The report of the Agency significantly captures the activities undertaken during 2023, including programmatic activities related to the development and transfer of nuclear science and technology, the enhancement of nuclear safety and security, and the strengthening of nuclear verification. The report has also adequately outlined the important strides made by the Agency in pursuit of its objective of accelerating and enlarging the contribution of atomic energy to peace, food security, health and sustainable development broadly, particularly in developing countries.

Mr. President,
The draft resolution that I introduce today for consideration and adoption, is one that has undergone consultations in Vienna and which enjoys the consensus of Member States.
The draft resolution reflects the outcomes of the Agency’s 68th regular session held from 16 to 20 September 2024 and includes updates to key resolutions such as GC(68)/RES/8 on Nuclear and Radiation Safety, GC(68)/RES/9 on Nuclear Security, GC(68)/RES/10 on Strengthening of the Agency’s Technical Cooperation Activities, and GC(68)/RES/11 on Strengthening the Agency’s Activities Related to Nuclear Science, Technology, and Applications. Furthermore, the draft resolution incorporates decisions GC(68)/DEC/9 and GC(68)/DEC/10, reflecting amendments to the Agency’s Statute and efforts to promote efficiency and effectiveness in the decision-making process.

By adopting this draft resolution, the General Assembly will reaffirm its strong support for the work of the Agency and recognize the importance of the cooperation between the United Nations and the Agency.

Mr. President.
It is important for me to put on record also that during the open-ended informal consultations held in Vienna “some IAEA Member States noted that some of the 68th session of the IAEA General Conference resolutions were adopted by a vote. One Member State dissociated itself from the resolution on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). With regard to the IAEA Annual Report 2023, one Member State noted that it had the same reservation it expressed and circulated for the Annual Report 2022”.

Mr. President,
I commend to Member States the adoption of draft resolution A/79/L.7 without a recorded vote, that is, by consensus. I would also like to invite all other Member States that are yet to co-sponsor the resolution to consider doing so before its adoption.

I thank you.