Vienna was the venue for the 67th IAEA General Conference meeting on September 25-28, 2023, in which Indonesia was unanimously elected a member of the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for the 2023-2025 period.

 

Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – Indonesia was unanimously elected a member of the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for the 2023-2025 period at the 67th IAEA General Conference Meeting which took place in Vienna on September 25-28, 2023.

"With the election as a member of the Board of Governors, Indonesia will continue to play an active role in encouraging the development of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, technical cooperation, as well as encouraging the transfer of nuclear technology to developing countries," said the Indonesian Ambassador/Permanent Representative in Vienna, Dr. iur. Damos D. Agusman who will act as governor representing the Indonesian government.

Indonesia will also continue to play an active role and support the IAEA's role in carrying out its mandate regarding the issues of nuclear security, nuclear safety and safeguards amidst the currently quite complicated world political and security situation, Damos added.

Furthermore, Damos said that Indonesia has received many benefits from the IAEA in the use of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, such as those on the environment, agriculture and food security.

"Indonesia has received many benefits from cooperation with the IAEA, and will continue to develop cooperation that is of greatest benefit to Indonesia," he said.

According to Damos, Indonesia and the IAEA have signed a LOI (letter of intent) for the 'Rays of Hope' program, namely the use of nuclear technology for cancer treatment.

Indonesia's membership in the Board of Governors represents the Southeast Asia and Pacific (SEAP) group.

The Board of Governors is one of the important organs in determining the IAEA policy, apart from the IAEA General Conference.

The Board of Governors is tasked with examining and making recommendations to the General Conference regarding the IAEA's financial reports, programs and budget, considering membership applications, approving safeguards agreements and the publication of IAEA safety standards, and appointing the IAEA Director General with the approval of the General Conference.

In addition to Indonesia, other countries selected to be members of the Board of Governors are Algeria, Burkina Faso, South Korea, Paraguay, Ecuador, Bangladesh, the Netherlands and Spain.

Meanwhile, the nominations of Armenia, Ukraine and Azerbaijan had to be voted on, which was ultimately won by Armenia and Ukraine.

Reporting by Indonesia Window