September 9, 2024, marked the start of the IAEA Board of Governors’ regular September meeting at the Agency’s headquarters. Board discussions are anticipated to cover a variety of issues, such as nuclear and radiation safety; atomic security; bolstering the Agency’s efforts in the fields of nuclear science, technology, and applications; verification and monitoring in the Islamic Republic of Iran regarding resolution 2231 (2015) of the UN Security Council; application of safeguards in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea; implementation of the NPT safeguards agreement in Syria; NPT Safeguards Agreement with the Islamic Republic of Iran; nuclear safety, security, and safeguards in Ukraine; transfer of nuclear materials in the context of AUKUS and its safeguards in all respects under the compliance of NPT; implementing IAEA safeguards in the Middle East and restoring Member States’ sovereignty, impartiality within the agency. The key responsibilities of the board of governors meeting overview are considering membership application, reviewing financial budget, appointing director general, and approving safeguard and safety standards. The meetings take place five times a year.

IAEA Board of Governors

The Board of Governors can identify areas that require improvement by analyzing reports on various IAEA concerns. When outcomes and performance indicators change from one biennium to the next, it might be difficult to compare current results with those from previous years to monitor progress toward achieving those improvements and identify additional performance trends. It would be wise for the Secretariat to think about ways to make these reports more comparable over time, as priorities will inevitably change and selected performance criteria will need to be adjusted. What outcomes of these meetings, will be identified after they end on September 13, 2024?

The annual General Conference of IAEA Member States and the Board of Governors are the two bodies that determine IAEA policy. The Board reviews the IAEA’s financial statements, program, and budget and recommends changes to the General Conference. It reviews membership applications, authorizes safeguards agreements, and publishes IAEA safety standards. Additionally, it designates the IAEA’s Director General, pending to the General Conference’s approval. Usually, the Board meets five times a year: twice in September (before and after the General Conference), in November, and in March and June.

Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kenya, Republic of Korea, Namibia, Netherlands, Paraguay, Qatar, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Türkiye, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America, Uruguay, and Ukraine are the 35 board members for 2023–2024.

Key responsibilities of the board of governors meeting overview are considering membership application, reviewing financial budget, appointing director general, approving safeguard and safety standards. The meeting takes place five times a year.

Pakistan’s Relationship with the IAEA

Pakistan has very good relations with the IAEA and it has been a member of the Board of Governors for the twentieth time establishing its efforts for the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and its support for the Agency’s policies and programs. Since being a part of the IAEA as an initial member, Pakistan has benefited from the relationship it has had with the Agency in supporting the IAEA’s activities in the areas of nuclear safety and security.

Many Pakistani scientists and engineers have been involved in several IAEA activities and Pakistani soil has been a hub of many IAEA-sponsored events for the creation of human and physical assets at both the individual and group levels in the area of NPT for the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. Most recently, Pakistan was elected to the Board of Governors for the 2021-2022 term, which shows its role in shaping the Agency’s policies and initiatives. The IAEA Board has 35 members and the membership is 170 countries out of which 11 members are elected every two years.

Ambassador Kamran Akhtar’s participation in the IAEA Board of Governors Meeting and its impact:

This can be very important for Pakistan’s interest that Ambassador Kamran Akhtar participates in the IAEA Board of Governors meeting in September 2024 even though he is not currently a member of Board of Governors. His participation also makes sure that Pakistan occupies its rightful place in the international nuclear forum and can exercise its rights on different issues of interest like the non-proliferation and security, verification, and the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. This remains advantageous for Pakistan because it helps the country to protect its self-interest.

Pakistan can achieve cooperation with other countries at these IAEA meetings on agreed goals like nuclear safety and No Proliferation in addition to sharing new technologies and the development of competencies to generate good relations and cooperation. Participation in the meeting by Ambassador Akhtar also gives Pakistan more visibility on the international stage. It shows that Pakistan also wants to participate in nuclear politics and that their viewpoint can be taken into consideration for the formulation and progress of nuclear policies. By participating in such discussions, Pakistan uses diplomacy to endorse the international positions when it comes to nuclear issues and to advance the peaceful uses of nuclear power.

Authors

Nazia Sheikh, Research Officer at Center for International Strategic Studies AJK

Hira Bashir, Associate Research Officer at Center for International Strategic Studies AJK