DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS 
P R E S S  R E L E A S E
www.dfa.gov.ph                                                                             2330 Roxas Blvd., Pasay City, Philippines                                                                        Tel. No. 834-4000 
SFA-AGR-768-07                                                                                                                                                       5 Oct 2007

RP ELECTED TO IAEA BOARD OF GOVERNORS  

03 October 2007—The Philippine Embassy in Vienna reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that the Philippines was elected by acclamation for a two–year term at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors, during the 51st regular session of the IAEA General Conference, held in Vienna on 17-21 September 2007. The Philippines was nominated on behalf of the Far East Group ( China , Japan , Mongolia , Vietnam , Cambodia , and the Republic of Korea ). The Philippines will serve from September 2007 to September 2009. It last served in the IAEA Board from September 2001 to September 2003.  

The Philippines hopes to participate actively in addressing various IAEA issues and concerns, including technical assistance. The country receives almost half a million dollars annually from IAEA in the form of training and fellowship grants, equipment transfers, research contracts and technology transfer through that Agency’s Technical Cooperation Programme.  

The Philippines is a strong advocate for nuclear safety and security, particularly in light of the growing demand for nuclear programmes in Southeast Asia and the Pacific region. It is also active on the issue of safety and transport of radioactive material and safe disposal of nuclear waste particularly in the ASEAN region. It has pursued initiatives in the area of cancer prevention and treatment (Programme of Action for Cancer Therapy), as well as climate change-related issues.  

The Philippines is tapping the IAEA’s expertise in the safe use of nuclear power as part of the country’s energy mix, should it decide to use this option. The country has interests in the other peaceful uses of nuclear energy such as food irradiation, application of nuclear technology to address environmental concerns, groundwater management, industrial non-destructive testing, strengthening of crop resistance to disease, and elimination of pests  such as the tse tse fly, and fruitfly using nuclear technology. END

/Gary

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