11 September 2026, Vienna - The Philippines welcomed the consensus adoption by the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) of the resolution on the implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement in the Syrian Arab Republic at the Board of Governors meeting on 9 September 2026. 

Ambassador and Permanent Representative Evangelina A. Bernas welcomed Syria’s transparency and cooperation with the IAEA that facilitated the resolution of Syria’s outstanding safeguards issues. She also encouraged Syria to continue its cooperation with the Agency. “In the current environment of heightened geopolitical tension, we appreciate this positive development. The Syrian nuclear file is a clear example of how the Agency’s safeguards system can work,” Ambassador Bernas further remarked. 

In 2011, the IAEA Board of Governors adopted a resolution finding Syria to be non-compliant with its safeguards obligations in relation to its undeclared construction of a nuclear reactor at Al Kibar. For fifteen years, the Board has repeatedly urged Syria to cooperate with the IAEA to resolve outstanding safeguards issues. 

The adopted resolution, co-sponsored by Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, and Saudi Arabia, is a historic breakthrough that closes Syria's nuclear issue and effectively removes the matter from the Board’s agenda. The resolution also requests the Director General to report on developments on the Agency’s ongoing activities in Syria upon their completion.

The Philippines currently serves as one of the 35 members of the IAEA Board of Governors, having been elected for the term 2025-2027 during the 69th Regular Session of the IAEA General Conference (GC) in Vienna, Austria on 19 September 2025. END.