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DR NOBUHLE NKABANE, DEPUTY MINISTER OF MINERAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY, TO LEAD THE SOUTH AFRICAN DELEGATION DURING THE INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY (IAEA) 65TH GENERAL CONFERENCE TO BE HELD ON 20 – 24 SEPTEMBER 2021

Date Published: 17 Sep 2021

The Deputy Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Dr Nobuhle Pamela Nkabane will lead the South African delegation to the 65th session of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) General Conference in Vienna, Austria and deliver the National Statement on Tuesday, 21 September 2021.

 

Delivered from the IAEAs virtual platform, Deputy Minister Nkabane’s National Statement will provide an update with regards to the milestones of the South African nuclear industry which include the preparatory work for the 2 500MW nuclear new build programme in line with the Decision number 8 of the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP2019), and important projects such as the Multipurpose Research Reactor Project, the solutions in radioactive waste management, as well South Africa’s participation in key IAEA programmes.

 

As a founding member, South Africa has contributed immensely to the work of the IAEA which promotes the use of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes among its 173 member states.

 

Deputy Minister Nkabane will be supported by a delegation that includes Ambassador Rapulane Molekane, South Africa’s Permanent Representative to the IAEA, senior government officials from the DMRE, International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), and Science and Innovation, as well as representatives from the South Africa Nuclear Energy Cooperation (NECSA), National Nuclear Regulator (NNR), National Radioactive Waste Disposal Institute (NRWDI), and ESKOM.

 

The General Conference is the highest decision-making body of the IAEA. Member States use the opportunity of the General Debate to address the Plenary, raise matters of importance and outline national priorities in their nuclear programmes.

The South African delegation will engage with other countries with similar aspirations within the nuclear energy space to share information. Amongst the bilateral engagements the Deputy Minister Nkabane will engage with the Director General of the IAEA to discuss nuclear issues of mutual interest and emphasise South Africa’s support to peaceful application of nuclear technology to ensure socioeconomic development. In addition South Africa is of the view that as one of the clean energy sources, nuclear power can contribute to moving the country towards net-zero emission by 2050 in line with its obligations under the Paris Climate Change Agreement.

 

To attend virtually, members of the media are required to register online. Ahead of the event all registered persons will receive an access code to the IAEA Conference App which will allow them to view and access information and to ask questions.

To follow the presentations without actively participating in the Forum join via the livelink button which will be available on the web page at https://www.iaea.org/topics/temporary/65th-iaea-general-conference.

Enquiries: mediadesk@energy.gov.za / media@dmre.gov.za

Issued by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy

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