Statement by Ambassador Mitsuru Kitano at the IAEA Board of Governors Meeting, 25 July 2019: Tribute to the late Director General Yukiya Amano
2019/7/25
Thank you, Madam Chair,
It is with deep sadness and a sense of great loss, I deliver this statement. Allow me to convey, through you, Madam Chair, a message to Mr. Yukiya Amano, late Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
DG Amano,
You have dedicated your life to the betterment of the world. You have led the IAEA for 10 years with passion, commitment, professionalism, and a spirit of fairness. On behalf of the Government of Japan, I would like to express my heartfelt respect to your achievement and devotion.
DG Amano,
You have contributed to the improvement of life of people around the world. Ebola fever, Zika virus, ReNuAL, Sterile Insect Technique; these are some of the many words that come up to my mind. I have observed you beginning your introductory statements at the Board of Governors meetings and General Conferences, by reporting on the developments in these areas. This clearly shows how much importance you have attached to these areas. You believed that the use of nuclear technology could contribute towards the advancement of people’s lives around the world. You knew that effort in this area responds to the expectations held by many people in many countries. For that reason, Japan is proud of the role it played as a Co-Chair, together with Costa Rica, at the Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Science and Technology last November.
The motto “Atoms for Peace and Development,” which you introduced, will be remembered forever together with your name.
DG Amano,
You have made a great contribution to international peace and security. On the Iranian nuclear issue, the IAEA is playing an important role in verifying and monitoring the implementation of the JCPOA. On the DPRK nuclear issue, you have strengthened the readiness of the IAEA. You also have prepared for the verification towards denuclearization following the new developments since early last year. Under your strong leadership, the number of States with an Additional Protocol in force increased from 94 to 134. You have shown uncompromising seriousness in the area of Safeguards. I believe that this is because you had strong conviction that the IAEA holds an important responsibility to the international community in this area.
DG Amano,
You have also contributed to ensuring safety and security in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. The Fukushima Daiichi accident occurred one year and three months after you took office. The “IAEA Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Safety”, the “IAEA Action Plan on Nuclear Safety”, and the “IAEA Director General’s Report on the Fukushima Daiichi Accident” all come to my mind. Through these initiatives, in sharing the lessons learned from the accident, you have strived for improving nuclear safety across the world. Furthermore, you endeavored mainstreaming nuclear security through convening the International Conference on Nuclear Security, and formulating the Nuclear Security Plan. As nuclear security is particularly important during major international events, Japan has been coordinating with the IAEA for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic games.
DG Amano,
You have made a great contribution to the strengthening of the Secretariat. One of the areas you have attached particular importance is gender equality. You have showed a strong commitment to the appointment of women in the Secretariat. I recall that you often said, “I will appoint a woman if the candidates have equal qualifications and abilities.” Every year, I have witnessed your presence at the panel on the International Women’s Day as an opening speaker. The increase from 23% to 30% of females employed as P-staff during your term of office is the great outcome of your strong commitment.
DG Amano,
It is most regrettable that you passed away while your efforts in these areas were still underway. However, the results over the past 10 years will remain a guiding light for us all.
As the Director General of the IAEA, you devoted yourself in making tireless effort for advancement of the Agency for the past 10 years. While I thank you once again for your tremendous contribution, I also would like to say now please have some rest.
May your soul rest in peace.
It is with deep sadness and a sense of great loss, I deliver this statement. Allow me to convey, through you, Madam Chair, a message to Mr. Yukiya Amano, late Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
DG Amano,
You have dedicated your life to the betterment of the world. You have led the IAEA for 10 years with passion, commitment, professionalism, and a spirit of fairness. On behalf of the Government of Japan, I would like to express my heartfelt respect to your achievement and devotion.
DG Amano,
You have contributed to the improvement of life of people around the world. Ebola fever, Zika virus, ReNuAL, Sterile Insect Technique; these are some of the many words that come up to my mind. I have observed you beginning your introductory statements at the Board of Governors meetings and General Conferences, by reporting on the developments in these areas. This clearly shows how much importance you have attached to these areas. You believed that the use of nuclear technology could contribute towards the advancement of people’s lives around the world. You knew that effort in this area responds to the expectations held by many people in many countries. For that reason, Japan is proud of the role it played as a Co-Chair, together with Costa Rica, at the Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Science and Technology last November.
The motto “Atoms for Peace and Development,” which you introduced, will be remembered forever together with your name.
DG Amano,
You have made a great contribution to international peace and security. On the Iranian nuclear issue, the IAEA is playing an important role in verifying and monitoring the implementation of the JCPOA. On the DPRK nuclear issue, you have strengthened the readiness of the IAEA. You also have prepared for the verification towards denuclearization following the new developments since early last year. Under your strong leadership, the number of States with an Additional Protocol in force increased from 94 to 134. You have shown uncompromising seriousness in the area of Safeguards. I believe that this is because you had strong conviction that the IAEA holds an important responsibility to the international community in this area.
DG Amano,
You have also contributed to ensuring safety and security in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. The Fukushima Daiichi accident occurred one year and three months after you took office. The “IAEA Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Safety”, the “IAEA Action Plan on Nuclear Safety”, and the “IAEA Director General’s Report on the Fukushima Daiichi Accident” all come to my mind. Through these initiatives, in sharing the lessons learned from the accident, you have strived for improving nuclear safety across the world. Furthermore, you endeavored mainstreaming nuclear security through convening the International Conference on Nuclear Security, and formulating the Nuclear Security Plan. As nuclear security is particularly important during major international events, Japan has been coordinating with the IAEA for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic games.
DG Amano,
You have made a great contribution to the strengthening of the Secretariat. One of the areas you have attached particular importance is gender equality. You have showed a strong commitment to the appointment of women in the Secretariat. I recall that you often said, “I will appoint a woman if the candidates have equal qualifications and abilities.” Every year, I have witnessed your presence at the panel on the International Women’s Day as an opening speaker. The increase from 23% to 30% of females employed as P-staff during your term of office is the great outcome of your strong commitment.
DG Amano,
It is most regrettable that you passed away while your efforts in these areas were still underway. However, the results over the past 10 years will remain a guiding light for us all.
As the Director General of the IAEA, you devoted yourself in making tireless effort for advancement of the Agency for the past 10 years. While I thank you once again for your tremendous contribution, I also would like to say now please have some rest.
May your soul rest in peace.