A Minty to chair and B Sonjica to lead delegation to General Conference
of International Atomic Energy Agency, 18 - 20 Sept

17 September 2006

Vienna - The General Conference of the IAEA will take place from 18 to 22
September 2006, in Vienna, Austria. This conference, which marks the 50th
Anniversary of the Agency, is also expected to cover certain key activities of
the Agency, including those related to the implementation of safeguards, the
safety and security of nuclear material and facilities, the threat of nuclear
terrorism, as well as measures to strengthen technical co-operation in nuclear
power generation and other areas of human development.

The South African delegation to the General Conference will be led by the
Minister of Minerals and Energy, Ms Buyelwa Sonjica, who will deliver South
Africa's national statement during the General Debate on the open day of the
conference. She has also been invited, together with a number of international
experts, to deliver a keynote address during a special event on a “New
Framework for the Utilisation of Nuclear Energy in the 21st Century: Assurances
of Supply and Non-Proliferation” on 19 September 2006, which will address
important issues related to the nuclear fuel cycle. In addition, Minister
Sonjica will also be meeting with a number of bilateral counterparts to discuss
matters of mutual interest.

At this 50th session of the General Conference, it is Africa's turn to
preside over the conference and South Africa has been nominated by the African
Group to fulfil this role. South Africa's special representative on disarmament
and governor on the IAEA board, Ambassador Abdul Samad Minty will preside over
the 50th regular session. Ambassador Minty will also act as panel member in the
concluding session of the special event.

South Africa is committed to the Agency's objectives to further the
development and applications of nuclear technology towards peace, health and
prosperity. The South African delegation will engage in discussions at the
conference on the basis of its principled positions on the peaceful application
of nuclear energy and the need to ensure that non-proliferation efforts are
undertaken in strict conformity with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and
do not become a means of preventing developing countries from gaining access to
advanced technologies.

Enquires: Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell 082 990 4853

Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
17 September 2006