Chair, 

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the EU. Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Republic of Moldova, San Marino, Serbia, and Ukraine align themselves with this statement.

The EU thanks Kazakhstan and the Group of Friends of Arealess States for their continued efforts to address this long-standing open issue affecting a number of IAEA Member States. We also thank Ambassador Zlauvinen of Argentina for assuming the role of the Chair of the Group. The EU will continue to support the endeavours of the Group of Friends to identify acceptable solutions to this complex issue, with the aim to implement the important provision of sovereign equality enshrined in Article IV of the IAEA Statute.  

The EU recognises the concerns expressed by those States which do not currently belong to any regional group and do not have a possibility to assume office holder positions, or become Board members. It goes without saying that the rights of all IAEA Member States resulting from their membership, as per the Statute, should be respected. All Member States complying with their obligations should have a fair chance to participate in decision-making in the IAEA governing bodies. 

The EU also encourages all IAEA Member States that have not yet done so, including all “arealess” States, to accept the 1999 Amendment to Article VI of the IAEA Statute. The entry into force of this amendment would enlarge the composition of the Board of Governors and represent an important step towards more equality and inclusiveness.

All 27 EU Member States have already accepted the said amendment. 

Thank you, Chair.