UAE re-elected to atomic energy body's Board of Governors

Vienna - The UAE had earlier occupied the IAEA seat from 2013 to 2015.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been re-elected to the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) from 2016 to 2018 during the General Conference of the agency.
The move reflects the confidence of the international community in the constructive role of the UAE in the mission and mandate of the Vienna-based United Nations organisation, a senior UAE official said, local news agency wam reported.
The UAE had earlier occupied the seat from 2013 to 2015.
The Board of Governors is one of the two policy-making bodies of the IAEA, along with the annual General Conference of the IAEA member states.
The 35-member board examines and makes recommendations to the General Conference on the IAEA's financial statements, programme and budget. It considers applications for membership, approves safeguards agreements and the publication of the agency's safety standards. It also appoints the agency's director-general, with the approval of the General Conference.
The board generally meets five times per year, in March and June, twice in September (before and after the General Conference) and in November.
"The re-election of the UAE on IAEA's Board of Governors underscores the confidence of the international community in the active role of the UAE in the international nuclear policy-making process," said Hamad Al Kaabi, Permanent Representative of the United Arab Emirates to the IAEA, commenting on the milestone.
''The move also underlines the global appreciation for the UAE's successful efforts and its responsible approach towards the development of a peaceful nuclear energy programme,'' he added.
The UAE delegation, led by Al Kaabi, met on Friday with IAEA Director-General Yukiya Amano at the conclusion of the General Conference.
The two sides affirmed their desire to pursue their work and co-operation in implementing the UAE's peaceful nuclear programme and supporting measures required to reach that goal.
The UAE delegation thanked the IAEA for its assistance and reiterated its willingness to continue co-operation with the IAEA.