The meetings of the IAEA Board of Governors will commence on Monday, 16 June 2003 at 10.30 a.m. The Board will discuss, among other issues, the IAEA budget for 2004-05; actions by the IAEA to combat nuclear terrorism; and nuclear verification, including the report by the IAEA Director General, Dr. Mohamed ElBaradei, on the implementation of the NPT safeguards agreement between the Agency and the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The meeting is closed to the press.

The introductory statement by Dr. ElBaradei will be circulated to the IAEA’s media distribution list and will be placed on the IAEA website (www.urlse.cn) after delivery at about 11:00 a.m. on Monday. In it, the Director General will highlight a number of areas of the IAEA’s work as reflected in the Board’s agenda.

Photo-Op: There will be a photo opportunity at the beginning of the meeting. Please sign up by sending an e-mail to Peter Rickwood: P.Rickwood@iaea.org. Camera crews should arrive at IAEA headquarters by 10:00 a.m. The meeting place will be in the Rotunda at the entrance to the IAEA wing. Positions in the Boardroom must be taken by 10:15. Beta copies of IAEA footage of the opening of the meeting can also be made available by request, but with a short delay.

Press working area: There will be a press working area on C03 starting from Monday morning. At present, no press conference is planned. The media will be informed of any changes.