MALAYSIA CONCLUDES CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY (IAEA)

Ambassador Dato’ Muhammad Shahrul Ikram Yaakob, Governor of Malaysia to the IAEA handed over the chairmanship of the IAEA Board of Governors (BOG) to Dr. Parvez Ansar, Governor of Pakistan to the IAEA, at the Board of Governors meeting held today. Ambassador Dato’ Muhammad Shahrul Ikram is also concurrently the Malaysian Ambassador to Austria and the Republic of Slovak. He was elected as Chairman of the Board of Governors on 12 February 2010. With the handing over of the chairmanship of the IAEA BOG, Malaysia also completed its two-year membership in the IAEA (Sept 2008-Sept 2010).

During the handing over ceremony, Ambassador Dato’ Muhammad Shahrul Ikram made the point that it was an honour for Malaysia to chair the Board and it reflected the international communities recognition of Malaysia’s prominent role in the works of the IAEA. He also recorded his appreciation to the members of the BOG for their cooperation and positive contribution. Ambassador Dato’ Muhammad Shahrul Ikram also recorded his deep appreciation to the Government of Malaysia, in particular the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister, for having the confidence in nominating him as Chairman of the IAEA BOG.

Members of the BOG expressed their appreciation to Ambassador Dato’ Muhammad Shahrul Ikram for his stewardship of the Board. His open and frank approach in conducting the business of the Board, especially on contentious issues, contributed to the smooth functioning of the Agency under Malaysia’s chairmanship.