Published September 22, 2009

Malaysian envoy to chair IAEA board of governors

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(KUALA LUMPUR) The Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) board of governors has elected the Malaysian envoy to Austria, Mohd Arshad Hussain, as its chairman, replacing Taous Feroukhi of Algeria from today.

He is the second Malaysian to assume the post in the 52-year history of the United Nations' nuclear watchdog.The first was board was ambassador Khor Eng Hee, who served in 1977 and 1978.

'I am humbled by this honour and privilege given to me but it's a bigger honour for Malaysia and an apt recognition of our consistent and principled position on international nuclear issues, our commitment to the Non-Proliferation Treaty and disarmament,' Mr Arshad said when contacted after Wisma Putra issued a statement of his election.

'My task for the next 12 months will be immensely challenging. The board is one of the two policymaking organs of the IAEA after the General Conference,' said the 58-year-old career diplomat.

Mr Arshad takes up the post for a one-year term. The IAEA has also appointed Yukiya Amano of Japan as the new director-general to succeed Mohamed ElBaradei in December.

Mr Arshad had been representing Malaysia on the 35-member board since last October for a two-year term. He is concurrently accredited to the Slovak Republic and is also Malaysia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Vienna. -- Bernama