Welcome to the United Nations
Letter from Office of the Director General:
I am writing in reference to the letter from HE Mr Munir Akram, President of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), dated 18 November 2020, addressed to Mr Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), inviting lAEA to provide an input to the 2021 High Level Political Forum (HLPF).
The IAEA is an autonomous international organization in working relationship with the United Nations based on our Relationship Agreement. In accordance with its Statue and guidance from its Policy Making Organs, the IAEA through its Technical Cooperation programme transfers technology and builds capacities in the peaceful use of nuclear science and technology in areas such as health and nutrition, safety and security, food and agriculture, water resource management, environment protection, and energy planning. They act as development enablers and contribute positively to the efforts of Member States to achieve the SDGs.
Confronted with the COVID-19 pandemic, the IAEA has been able to continue delivering its mandate. It is implementing safeguards to prevent any misuse of nuclear material and, through the biggest emergency operation in the IAEA's history, is providing assistance (so far to 128 countries) to fight the pandemic by transferring testing equipment, including real time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) machines, and associated kits and personal protective equipment.
Furthermore, despite global travel restrictions, lAEA continues assisting its Member States to build national capacities on the peaceful applications of nuclear technology to address their developmental priorities. This assistance has three main components: human capacity building through different training modalities; provision of materials, tools, and equipment; and provision of field expert advice.
Enclosed you will find relevant reports submitted by the Director General to the IAEA Board of Governors:
•"The Operation, Safety and Security of Nuclear and Radiation Facilities and Activities during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Progress update." dated 4 February 202 l (GOV /INF/202 l/6)
•"IAEA Safeguards implementation during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Progress update." dated 4 February 2021 (GOV/INF/2021/5)
•"IAEA Support to Member State Efforts in Addressing the COVID-19 Pandemic. Progress update." dated 26 January and 9 February 2021 (GOV/INF/2021/4 & Corr. I)
I am confident that in preparation to the 2021 HLPF your office and ECOSOC can make good use of these documents, also by posting them online at the HLPF website. We remain available should further information be required and look forward to supporting the 2021 High Level Political Forum.
