Philippines Calls for International Cooperation to Prevent Nuclear Conflict

Ambassador and Permanent Representative Evangelina Bernas during the Board of Governors (BOG) Meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) (Vienna PE Photo)

VIENNA 27 November 2024 – The Philippines called for international cooperation to uphold the relevant legal instruments dedicated to reducing the risk of nuclear weapons proliferation and nuclear conflict in the Korean Peninsula, the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America during the Board of Governors (BOG) Meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on 20 to 22 November 2024.

Ambassador and Permanent Representative Evangelina Bernas reiterated the Philippines’ long-standing and principled positions on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, throughout the various agenda items during the BOG meeting. She expressed the Philippines’ grave concern over the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) nuclear weapons programme, including its pronouncements of bolstering its nuclear forces and testing. She also strongly urged the Islamic Republic of Iran to provide answers to nuclear-proliferation-related questions of the IAEA and extend its full cooperation to the IAEA in the latter’s  verification functions.

Ambassador Bernas likewise called on all the relevant countries to ensure that their nuclear programs comply with their respective safeguards’ agreements with IAEA, and that such programs are used exclusively for peaceful purposes. “We stress the importance of full compliance of Member States with their respective NPT and safeguards obligations, as well as the provision of cooperation to the Agency in fulfilling its verification and monitoring functions,” she said.

Safeguards agreements are legal instruments concluded by each Member State with the IAEA in order to ensure that nuclear energy is not diverted into developing nuclear weapons. (Read more: IAEA Safeguards Agreements) 

The BOG is the policy-making body of the IAEA. Part of its function is to make recommendations on the program and budget of the IAEA, approve safeguards agreements, and provide a forum for discussion of important issues related to the use of nuclear energy. It generally meets five times per year: in March and June, twice in September (before and after the General Conference) and in November. END
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