The new chairperson of the board of governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Tebogo Seokolo, has emphasised that “South Africa, as a founding member of the IAEA, attaches great importance to the mandate of the agency”.

Seokolo, South Africa’s ambassador to the IAEA and a member of the board, was elected chairperson on October 3.

“Over the past six decades, the IAEA has made considerable progress in supporting member States to achieve their development objectives through nuclear science and technology,” he pointed out in his comments thanking the other board members for his election. “The recent slogan of the IAEA, ‘Atoms for Peace and Development’, resonates with the aspirations of all member States, more especially those in the developing world.”

He highlighted the important role the IAEA would play in the effective execution of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. He cited the contribution nuclear science and technology could make in the fields of agriculture, food, health (human and animal), climate change and the management of water resources. “We affirm the centrality of the technical cooperation programme as the main delivery vehicle through which the agency supports the developmental objectives of member States,” he stated. “I hope that the programme and budget that we will adopt in the coming months will continue to reflect this imperative.”

He further stressed the role of the IAEA in supporting international peace and security. He noted that the organisation was “uniquely placed” to, when requested, help strengthen the nuclear security frameworks of the member States, as well as to coordinate nuclear security at international level. He observed that his election had taken place during the year that marked the 25th anniversary of South Africa joining the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and of the country’s Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement with the IAEA, as well as the 20th anniversary of the Treaty of Pelindaba (which created the African Nuclear Weapons Free Zone).

In a press release, South African International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane stated that the election of Seokolo was “an affirmation of South Africa’s leadership role on the world stage in general and specifically on matters of nuclear disarmament, nuclear nonproliferation and the peaceful uses of nuclear energy”. South Africa gets 5% of its electricity supply from the Koeberg nuclear power plant – the only such plant in the whole of Africa. The country’s Safari-1 research reactor has operated safely for more than 50 years and has allowed the country to become the world’s number two manufacturer of medical radioisotopes, which are exported to more than 60 countries.

The press release further noted that the IAEA has played a significant part in helping member States execute both national and regional development programmes. “For example, in Africa, the IAEA is involved in assisting affected countries, including South Africa, to use nuclear techniques to eradicate mosquitoes and tsetse flies in order to control their associated diseases, like malaria and trypanosomiasis. During the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, the IAEA, in partnership with South Africa, among others, used nuclear techniques for the early detection and treatment of the disease.”

The South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa) welcomed the news. “Ambassador Seokolo has vast experience and knowledge to steer the IAEA board of governors to greater heights,” asserted Necsa CEO Phumzile Tshelane. “This appointment as chair of the IAEA board of governors is yet another indication of the high regard which countries have for South Africa in the nuclear field.”

South Africa is a founder member of the IAEA, which was set up in 1957. The last time a South African held the chair of the board of governors was in 1959. Today, the IAEA has 171 member States, of which 35 form the board, South African being one of the permanent members. Seokolo will be chairperson until October next year.