Pretoria: The Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Dr Mohamed ElBaradei is in South Africa for a working visit scheduled from 17 to 21 July 2009.
Dr ElBaradei will meet with President Jacob Zuma and Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane on Tuesday, 21 July 2009, at the Union Buildings. This visit to South Africa is aimed at sharing experiences at the Agency with South Africa and is part of his valedictory tour.
The International Atomic Energy Agency is tasked to assist countries and disseminate information for the use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes, to monitor and verify the peaceful application of nuclear energy through the application of safeguards and to ascertain the non-diversion of nuclear materials for military purposes.
South Africa is a founding member of the IAEA, which was established in 1956 after a long and extensive period of negotiations on the text of a Statute for the envisaged Agency. An eight-nation negotiating group (Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Portugal, South Africa, United Kingdom and United States) concluded the text of the draft Statute that entered into force on 29 July 1957.
South Africa has received support throughout the years from the IAEA through the Agency's Technical Assistance and Co-operation Programme. This support ranges from assistance with crop improvement, human health, and energy and water resources management.
Media programme for the working visit of the IAEA Director-General:
Media is invited as follows:
Date: 21 July 2009
Time: 08h45 to 09:00: Photo opportunity
09h00 to 10h00: Media briefing
Venue: Room 153, West Wing, Union Buildings, Pretoria
Enquiries:
Nthabiseng Ramatshela
Department of International Relations and Co-operation
Cell: 082 675 0983
Vincent Magwenya
The Presidency
Cell: 082 835 6315
Members of the media who wish to cover the event are requested to submit the following information no later than Monday, 20 July 2009 at 14h00.
* name and surname
* South African identity or passport number
* name of organisation
* contact number
Information should be sent to ramatshelaj@foreign.gov.za and mpolokengp@foreign.gov.za
Members of the media will also be required to produce their South African ID/ passports and press cards at the venue.
Enquiries:
Nomfanelo Kota
Cell: 082 459 3787
Issued by: Department of International Relations and Co-operation
18 July 2009
