IAEA Board of Governors
Programme and Budget Committee
Agenda Item 4: The Report on the Activities of the Ethics Function
Chair
Australia welcomes the Agency’s continued efforts, since the establishment of the Ethics Function in 2018, to raise awareness within the Agency on ethical standards and behaviours.
We acknowledge the Function’s important and ongoing work to enhance the Agency’s ability to deter, detect and effectively address improper behaviour. This is essential to building an inclusive workplace, which will help ensure the Agency can deliver its critical business.
We further appreciate the Ethics Function’s delivery of mandatory ‘Accountability in Managerial Action’ and ‘Values in Action’ training. The IAEA should implement adequate monitoring and evaluation of these training programs to ensure they remain relevant and effective.
Australia welcomes the Agency’s issuance of its first Respect for Diversity and Anti-Discrimination Policy.
We note that the IAEA continues to take steps to ensure suitable measures are in place to prevent and respond to sexual exploitation and abuse, including revisions to the administrative framework to enable the Agency to release information to the UN “Clear Check” database. We encourage the Agency to build on these efforts, including by providing dedicated training on prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse to all staff.
Australia would welcome formal updates on the Ethics Function’s activities to prevent and respond to sexual harassment. Effectively addressing sexual harassment is essential to achieving sustainable gender equality in the workplace, and to building trust and creating an enabling environment that allows all staff to reach their full potential.
Thank you Chair.