Morocco's Presidency of 64th IAEA General Conference Unanimously Praised

22 September 2020 Printable Version

Vienna - Morocco's election to the presidency of the 64th General Conference of the Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Monday in Vienna was unanimously welcomed by participants at the annual meeting of the Agency's governing body.

Morocco acceded for the first time, and by unanimous acclamation, to this prestigious post in the person of Morocco's Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna, ambassador Azzeddine Farhane.

In statements to MAP, several personalities lauded this election which honors Africa as a whole and reinforces the Kingdom's position on the international scene as an actor resolutely committed to the ideals of peace, mutual aid and active solidarity.

Thus, IAEA Director General, Rafael Mariano Grossi, said that the Moroccan presidency of the 64th General Conference of the Agency testifies to the Kingdom's constructive commitment to world peace.

"The election of Morocco, an African country that has been engaged for years in non-proliferation efforts, at the head of this major global event, is a good testimony of its constructive commitment to world peace," Grosso said.

For the Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), Lassina Zerbo, the Moroccan presidency embodies the voice of Africa within the IAEA General Conference.

"I think it's Africa's turn and Morocco represents Africa. Morocco is very attached to Africa and African traditions," he said.

The same goes for the ambassador of the Philippines, Maria Cleofe Natividad, who congratulated the ambassador of Morocco on his election as president of this IAEA governing body.

"As president of the G77+China, it is a pleasure and a great honor that the presidency has been entrusted to Morocco," she said.

For her part, Nada Kruger, the ambassador of Namibia to Austria, who introduced Morocco's candidacy on behalf of the African group, welcomed the appointment of the Moroccan ambassador to the presidency of this 64th General Conference of the IAEA.

Also, Leena Al-Hadid, Jordanian ambassador to Austria and president of the Arab diplomatic group, congratulated "brotherly Morocco for the presidency of the IAEA General Conference".

Canada's ambassador Hedi Hulan, incoming Chair of the IAEA Board of Governors, hailed, for her part, Morocco's election as Chairman of the IAEA General Conference.