Vienna, September 29 (QNA) The State of Qatar was elected to the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency for the period from 2022-2024, during the annual general conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency in its 66th session currently being held in Vienna.

This step reflects the confidence of the international community in the constructive role played by the State of Qatar in implementing the tasks of the Vienna-based agency.

The State of Qatar has occupied this seat on the Agency’s Board of Governors twice in the past, from 2013-2015, and from 2016-2018, and the Board of Governors is one of the main policy-making bodies of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

The 35-member Board reviews and approves decisions related to the Agency's budget, the Agency's operational programs, safeguards agreements, and safety standards, and has the power to appoint the Agency's Director General with the approval of the General Conference.

His Excellency Dr. Ahmed bin Hassan Al Hammadi, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who became the Governor of the State of Qatar to the International Atomic Energy Agency, said, "The election of the State of Qatar to the membership of the Agency's Board of Governors confirms the global appreciation of Qatar's successful efforts and responsible approach towards the development of a peaceful nuclear energy program and the confidence of the international community in its active and effective role. in international forums.

His Excellency stressed the keenness of the State of Qatar to continue supporting the Agency's various activities in promoting the peaceful use of nuclear energy, ensuring the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, and facilitating the access of peaceful nuclear technology to member states.

The State of Qatar is a party to the majority of relevant agreements in the field of nuclear safety, nuclear security and safeguards, and has been an active member of the International Atomic Energy Agency since it joined the agency in 1976, with a long-term policy to support the agency's role in harnessing the atom for peaceful purposes.