(As prepared for delivery)
Mr Chairman,
I requested that this meeting of the Board of Governors be convened in connection with my report entitled Verification and Monitoring in the Islamic Republic of Iran in light of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231.
My report on January 16th to the Board of Governors, and in parallel to the Security Council, confirmed that Iran had taken the actions specified in Annex V of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. As a result, Implementation Day occurred on the same day.
Iran had previously informed me that it would provisionally apply the Additional Protocol to its Safeguards Agreement with the Agency, starting on Implementation Day, pending its entry into force.
It will also fully implement the modified Code 3.1 of the Subsidiary Arrangements to its Safeguards Agreement.
Verifying that Iran had completed the necessary preparatory steps was a complex and difficult task, carried out under intense time pressure. I am very grateful to our excellent team in the Department of Safeguards for their diligence and professionalism.
The way is now clear for the Agency to begin verifying and monitoring Iran’s nuclear-related commitments under the JCPOA, as requested by the Security Council and authorised by the Board.
I congratulate all those who helped to make the JCPOA a reality, especially the group of countries known as the E3/EU+3, Iran, and the Board of Governors.
On Saturday, I had meetings in Vienna with EU High Representative Mogherini, U.S. Secretary of State Kerry, Iranian Vice-President Salehi and Foreign Minister Zarif. On Monday, I had talks in Tehran with President Rouhani and again met Dr Salehi and Dr Zarif.
All expressed their appreciation for the Agency’s major contribution on this issue. They also confirmed their commitment to fully implementing the JCPOA.
Mr Chairman,
As I informed the Board in December, implementation of the Additional Protocol, and verification and monitoring of Iran’s nuclear-related commitments under the JCPOA, involve activities for which predictable funding is needed.
I will soon issue a Draft Budget Update for 2017, with estimates of the additional costs that need to be funded through the Regular Budget for that year. Highlights of the Update were circulated yesterday.
I am grateful to countries that have already made, or pledged, contributions and I count on the support of all Member States in ensuring predictable funding for this long-term verification and monitoring work.
In order to discharge our new responsibilities, I plan to establish an Office in the Department of Safeguards to take charge of our safeguards, and verification and monitoring, activities in Iran. This will replace the existing Iran Task Force. The change will not require any additional funding.
Our verification and monitoring activities in connection with the JCPOA are exceptional. They do not set a precedent.
Mr Chairman,
Implementation of the JCPOA marks the beginning of a new phase in relations between Iran and the IAEA.
We have come a long way since the Agency first started considering the Iran nuclear issue in 2003. A lot of work has gone into getting us here. Equal effort will be required in the future to implement the JCPOA. The IAEA is fully committed to playing its part.
I am grateful for the support of the Board. I will continue to report on a regular basis.
Thank you, Mr Chairman.