PHILIPPINES CHAIRMANSHIP CREDITED FOR INCLUSIVE, COOPERATIVE SPIRIT AT COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE DURING 70TH IAEA GENERAL CONFERENCE
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Permanent Representative and Ambassador Evangelina A. Bernas delivers final report as Chair of the Committee of the Whole during the 70th IAEA General Conference from 14 to 18 September 2026 in Vienna.
18 SEPTEMBER 2026, VIENNA - The Philippines was lauded for its open, inclusive, and transparent chairmanship of the Committee of the Whole (CoW) at the 70th regular session of the General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) from 14 to 18 September 2026 in Vienna, Austria.
As Chair, Ambassador and Permanent Representative Evangelina A. Bernas facilitated the Committee’s extensive deliberations on administrative and budget resolutions and the five technical resolutions of the Committee on nuclear and radiation safety, nuclear security, technical cooperation, nuclear applications, and nuclear safeguards at a time when geopolitical issues complicated the technical discussions.
She encouraged constructive engagement and dialogue among Member States during the CoW sessions. Many delegations commended the Philippines for its leadership and skillful steering of the discussions. While the CoW was not able to recommend new resolutions for adoption at this year’s conference, the members agreed that the constructive discussions would pave the way for an open, transparent, and inclusive process and approach for the year ahead.
In her report at the plenary, Ambassador Bernas thanked the General Conference President Argentinian Ambassador Gustavo Zlauvinen, the penholders, the IAEA Secretariat, and all delegations for their active engagements and cooperation throughout the sessions.
Ambassador Bernas, together with Ambassador Zlauvinen, conducted informal consultations and open ended meetings to ensure a successful outcome of the Conference. On the 70th anniversary of the General Conference, Member States reaffirmed their support and renewed their commitment to the IAEA and its mandate of advancing the contribution of atomic energy to peace, health, and prosperity globally.
The Committee of the Whole is the main forum of the General Conference where IAEA Member States discuss and negotiate relevant substantive items on the agenda of the General Conference, including draft technical resolutions, prior to their submission to the plenary for formal adoption. END.
Permanent Representative and Ambassador Evangelina A. Bernas leads the Committee of the Whole’s discussion as Chair during the 70th IAEA General Conference from 14 to 18 September 2026 in Vienna
Permanent Representative and Ambassador Evangelina A. Bernas leads the Committee of the Whole’s discussion as Chair during the 70th IAEA General Conference from 14 to 18 September 2026 in Vienna
Permanent Representative and Ambassador Evangelina A. Bernas delivers final report as Chair of the Committee of the Whole during the 70th IAEA General Conference from 14 to 18 September 2026 in Vienna
Ambassador Evangelina A. Bernas with
General Conference President Ambassador Gustavo Zlauvinen from Argentina during the 70th IAEA General Conference from 14 to 18 September 2026 in Vienna
General Conference President Ambassador Gustavo Zlauvinen of Argentina and Ambassador Evangelina A. Bernas with and First Secretary Candy Cypres-Bauzon from the Philippine Permanent Mission and Counsellor Juan Gutierrez Telleria from the Permanent Mission of Argentina during the 70th IAEA General Conference from 14 to 18 September 2026 in Vienna
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