Let me thank President Obama for inviting us to share ideas on these critical issues. It is an honour for me to address this gathering today on the role of the International Atomic Energy Agency in nuclear security.
We have listened carefully to the various statements made during the summit, including the new proposal to establish an international tribunal or court which was made yesterday at the dinner.
This has indeed serious legal and other implications and certainly needs careful study and consideration.
However, our view is that we should concentrate on strengthening the IAEA.
In promoting nuclear security, it is important that we place emphasis on a multilateral approach. This upholds the centrality of the United Nations. It is also extremely important that states pool their resources in fighting terrorism globally.
The multilateral system should be strengthened to deal with such efforts. In this context, the IAEA plays an important role in our common efforts to strengthen nuclear security, thereby contributing to preventing nuclear terrorism.
This summit's value is to support the work of existing bodies such as the IAEA.
However, while we recognise the continuing threat of nuclear terrorism, we must also recognise that it is the verifiable and irreversible elimination of nuclear weapons that will ultimately prevent the use of such weapons.
We welcome the recent US-Russian Federation arms reduction agreement and hope others will take similar action to achieve the objective of global zero.
We all know that the IAEA remains the internationally recognised competent authority responsible for verifying and assuring compliance with safeguards agreements to prevent the diversion of nuclear energy from peaceful uses to nuclear weapons.
Nothing should be done to undermine the authority of the IAEA and it should have adequate resources to fulfil its mandate.
While recognising that nuclear security measures are the responsibility of each individual state, the Agency is commended for its forward-looking nuclear security plan, through which supportive activities are undertaken at the request of member states.
The agency's guidelines and recommendations provide an invaluable basis for states to develop their national strategies and measures.
In addition, the work of the Agency in the context of major public events such as the Beijing Olympics and their assistance for nuclear security arrangements for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa is indispensible, and we welcome the assistance provided by governments as well.
We should be concerned about the existence of networks dealing in the illicit transfer of nuclear related technology that could be used in the manufacture of weapons of mass destruction.
The experience with this network, where South Africa was the first, among many affected countries, to successfully prosecute suspects, suggests that there is room for improvement regarding international cooperation and national legislation and enforcement machineries also in the most developed countries.
The agency has various initiatives, including useful publications that serve as valuable technical and administrative tools for states to combat illicit nuclear trafficking.
The agency's illicit trafficking database provides us with useful information, and we should commit ourselves to support this valuable instrument by providing the information that the agency requires.
The agency cannot be expected to play its rightful role in contributing to strengthening nuclear security without the necessary assured and predictable funding.
We should collectively commit ourselves to make appropriate funds available to enable the Agency to continue its activities in the field of protection against unauthorised access to nuclear material and facilities.
South Africa, like many other member states, supported the recent budgetary increases given to the nuclear safety and security programme of the IAEA.
Important as nuclear security is, we must also take seriously the political, social and economic factors that at times contribute to terrorism.
The IAEA's technical cooperation projects have the potential to make a considerable contribution to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and enhance the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD).
We need to commit ourselves to increase the IAEA's technical cooperation fund so that it has sufficient, assured and predictable funding. This can make a real difference by helping to reduce poverty and promote sustainable development.
Legally binding instruments to combat nuclear terrorism such as the Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism and the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material also remain key instruments to combat the threat of nuclear terrorism.
In conclusion, Mr President, although this summit provides an important forum for us to raise awareness on the importance of nuclear security, we should not lose sight of the important goal of the elimination of all weapons of mass destruction.
Success in the achievement of this goal is the only real guarantee against the threat posed by these instruments of destruction.
I thank you.
Issued by: The Presidency
13 April 2010
Source: The Presidency (http://www.thepresidency.gov.za/)
