SA ambassador to head IAEA
FOR the first time since 1959, a South African ambassador will chair the board of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Tebogo Seokolo was appointed yesterday to chair the strategic multilateral body, which has the responsibility to ensure the safe use of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.
Seokolo will serve as chairperson for the next year. The position provides South Africa with a strategic opportunity to support UN member states pursuing nuclear energy to generate electricity.
A relatively young ambassador, Seokolo has the necessary experience and energy to lead the major policy-making organ of the IAEA.
Minister for International Relations and Co-operation Maite Nkoana-Mashabane welcomed the appointment, saying: “This election is an affirmation of South Africa’s leadership role on the world stage in general, and specifically on matters of nuclear disarmament, nuclear non-proliferation and the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.”
South Africa was a founding member of the IAEA and attaches great importance to the mandate of the agency. This year marks the 25th anniversary of South Africa’s accession to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), and the signing and the entry into force of our Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement (CSA) with the IAEA.
It also marks the 20th anniversary of the Treaty of Pelindaba, which created an African Nuclear Weapon Free Zone as a means towards the establishment of a nuclear weapons-free world.
In recent years, the IAEA has played a prominent role in assisting its members to implement their regional and national development plans.
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 to control their associated diseases, such as malaria and trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness).
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 IAEA also uses nuclear techniques to detect and treat animal diseases, which also impact on human health. It is understood 70 percent of human diseases directly emanate from animal diseases.
South Africa is highly regarded by IAEA member states due to the development of its peaceful nuclear programme.
Through its power plant at Koeberg, the country generates 5 percent of its total electricity supply from a nuclear source.
South Africa is the second largest producer of medical isotopes, which are used in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
Through its research reactor, SAFARI-1, which has for over 50 years operated safely, securely and reliably, South Africa exports this life-saving treatment to more than 60 countries.
The board, among others, provides strategic oversight over the activities of the secretariat led by the director-general. It also approves the programme and budget of the organisation, and monitors its implementation.
Since the term of office of the current director-general comes to an end during South Africa’s tenure as chair, Seokolo will facilitate the processes for the appointment of a replacement director-general.