South Africa to Re-Nominate Ambassador Abdul Samad Minty for the position of Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Pretoria - The Director-General of Foreign Affairs, Dr Ayanda Ntsaluba today, Sunday 26 April announced that following consultations with the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma,  the South African Government will re-nominate Ambassador Abdul Samad Minty for the position of Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

The Board of Governors of the IAEA could not reach a decision in a special session of the Board, held on 26 and 27 March 2009, to elect the next Director General of the IAEA. Subsequently the Chair of the Board of Governors informed IAEA Member States that the slate of candidates had been cleared and requested Members to submit nominations for the position of Director General of the IAEA. The deadline for new nominations is tomorrow, Monday 27 April 2009.

Ambassador Minty is highly respected for his integrity and even-handedness in promoting multilateralism. He is committed to uphold the statutory role of the Agency, including promoting the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and he has the managerial and technical knowledge and experience to guide the IAEA towards finding creative solutions and a consensual approach to deal with challenges arising from the dynamic environment in which the Agency operates.

A brief exposé on the candidature of Ambassador Minty is attached (see below).

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa at 082-990-4853

Department of Foreign Affairs
P/Bag X152
Pretoria
0001

26 April 2009.