STATEMENT BY MR ALAN TANG, DELEGATE TO THE 74TH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON THE REPORT OF THE INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY (IAEA), PLENARY, 11 NOVEMBER 2019

Thank you, Mr President.

1                      Singapore congratulates Ambassador Rafael Grossi on his recent appointment as Director-General of the IAEA. He will have our full support and cooperation.  We also pay tribute to the late Director-General Yukiya Amano, who will be remembered for his important contributions to the work of the Agency, and for ably guiding the Agency through many challenging issues.  My delegation thanks the IAEA for its comprehensive annual report and is pleased to note that Singapore will co-sponsor the draft resolution on the “Report of the IAEA” this year.  Allow me to comment briefly on the IAEA’s work in three important areas.

2                      First, the role of the IAEA in non-proliferation. As the sole competent authority responsible for verifying States’ fulfilment of their safeguards obligations, the IAEA plays a crucial role through its safeguards system. This system is a confidence-building measure and early warning mechanism for the international community. However, recent developments pose a challenge to the IAEA’s work in this area.  The way forward on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is unclear, following the US’ withdrawal in May 2018 and Iran’s actions since July 2019. The future of the JCPOA itself is in doubt. Singapore urges all parties to fulfil their JCPOA obligations and to uphold this key international agreement.  Singapore also urges the DPRK to abide by its international obligations, and reiterates our full support for the peaceful denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula.

3                      Second, the IAEA's role in nuclear safety and security. It is important to remain vigilant in this area, especially against new and non-conventional threats such as cyber-attacks. We welcome the IAEA’s development of updated computer security guidance for nuclear facilities, and its first-ever international training course on Protecting Computer-Based Systems in Nuclear Security Regimes in 2018. We call on the Agency to ensure that its Nuclear Safety guidance documents remain up to date with innovations in nuclear technology, such as small and medium sized or modular reactors (SMRs) and transportable nuclear power plants (TNPPs).  In this regard, Singapore is pleased to support the IAEA’s work in helping Member States build Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) capacities as part of the EPR Standards Committee.

4                      Finally, in the area of technical cooperation, the IAEA’s Technical Cooperation Programme plays a critical role in helping Member States address their development priorities and future energy needs. Singapore is pleased to partner the IAEA in its efforts to provide technical assistance to fellow developing countries. Under the enhanced Singapore-IAEA Third Country Training Programme (TCTP) Memorandum of Understanding, signed in 2015, Singapore and the IAEA have conducted regional workshops for developing countries on topics such as emergency preparedness and response, nuclear regulatory law, and food safety. We have also hosted several training fellowships. At the regional level, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) signed the Practical Arrangements with the IAEA in September 2019. This will deepen ASEAN’s ties with the IAEA, and broaden our cooperation through research activities, sharing of best practices, and other capacity-building projects. Singapore looks forward to contributing to these projects.

5                      In closing, I would like to reaffirm Singapore's firm commitment to providing active and meaningful support to the work of the IAEA. We look forward to deepening our cooperation in the years ahead.

Thank you, Mr President.

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