IAEA Board of Governors
Agenda item 5(c): Implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement in the Syrian Arab Republic
5 March 2025
Statement by H.E Ambassador Ian Biggs, Governor and Resident Representative of Australia to the IAEA
Thank you Chair,
Australia thanks the Director General for the update provided in his opening statement to the Board on the implementation of safeguards in the Syrian Arab Republic. We commend the Director General and the Secretariat for their sustained efforts to address Syria’s non-compliance with its safeguards obligations.
Chair,
Following years of obstruction and obfuscation by the former Syrian government, Australia was encouraged by the Agency’s visits to Syria last year. We call on Syria’s interim authorities to build on this renewed cooperation with the Agency and establish a meaningful and constructive dialogue. In particular, we urge Syria’s interim authorities to correct the Assad regime’s repeated failures to address outstanding questions about undeclared facilities and activities at the Dair Alzour site – and to take all steps necessary to bring Syria into compliance with its international obligations.
Australia encourages Syria’s interim authorities to seize this opportunity to resolve all outstanding safeguards questions and bring into force an Additional Protocol so that the Agency is able to provide the necessary safeguards assurances.
Chair,
Until all outstanding questions regarding Syria’s non-compliance are satisfactorily resolved, we request that this item be retained on the agenda for all future meetings of the Board.
We once again thank the Director General for his efforts and for keeping Member States apprised of developments.
Thank you Chair.