IAEA Board of Governors October 2022
Australian Statement
H.E Ambassador Richard Sadleir, Governor and Resident Representative of Australia to the IAEA
3 October 2022
Thank you Chair.
Australia warmly thanks the Republic of Korea for its able and dedicated leadership of the Board through September 2021 to September 2022. We welcome your appointment, Ambassador Sramek, as Chair. Ambassador, you and your able Vice-Chairs have Australia’s full support as you guide us through our business for the coming year. I also wish to echo the commendations for Slovenia, which contributes so much to this Board.
Chair,
Unfortunately, this cannot be an era of ‘business as usual’. With the ongoing occupation of Ukrainian territory by the Russian Federation, including Russia’s forceful takeover and occupation of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, this Board is faced with deeply troubling developments that must be addressed, including the illegal detention of the head of the Zaporizhzhia Plant. We reject wholeheartedly Russia’s attempted annexation of Ukrainian territory and condemn its unilateral, illegal and unjustified war on Ukraine. Russia’s sham referenda in occupied areas of Ukraine are illegitimate and have no legal effect.
Chair,
We reaffirm our full support for the Director General and the Secretariat as they work tirelessly and courageously to support the safe and secure operation of nuclear facilities in Ukraine.
Finally Chair,
We commend General Conference President Cortese and Chair of the Committee-of-the-Whole Bengu for their steadfast efforts in challenging circumstances during last week’s General Conference. We welcome that the Conference was able to complete its work, delivering outcomes on all of the key issues facing the Agency today.
Again, Chair, you and your Vice Chairs, Ambassador Duarte and Ambassador O’Leary, have Australia’s full faith and support for the year ahead.
Thank you, Chair.