Vienna Chapter
Mr. Chairman,
On behalf of the Group of 77 and China I would like to express my
appreciation to the Director-General for his detailed introductory
statement touching upon the issues being discussed in the Board meeting. I
also appreciate the efforts of the Secretariat in the preparation of the
Annual Report for 1999.
Before I proceed further I would like to bring to your notice the
difficulties faced by the members of the Group in making adequate
preparations for that Board meeting. There was a respite of little over
three weeks between meetings of the Programme and Budget Committee and
this meeting. During this period the members had to attend various
meetings of the area groups and those of the G-77 itself, had to
participate in consultations on Financing of Technical Cooperation and
Financing of Safeguards, etc. This meeting of the Board covers many
important issues for which documentation totalling about 500 pages has
been issued and includes four major reports. In the small missions
belonging to the Group of 77 there is generally only one person to look
after IAEA matters, who most often also takes care of the activities at
other multilateral agencies at the VIC and sometimes also the bilateral
issues. It is, therefore, proposed that, in future, an adequate gap be
provided between two major meetings of the IAEA and a balanced
distribution of agenda items be made within the Board Meetings. In
addition, the papers for each meeting should be as concise as possible and
should be available well in advance. For example, if the documents on
Nuclear Technology Review, Result Based Approach to Programme Development
and the MOU between IAEA and OECD/NEA had been provided well before the
meetings in which they were initially discussed these would have needed no
further consideration.
Coming now to the present issue, the Group of 77 and China
appreciates the improved format which, at least in the overview, presents
a more coherent picture of the programme. The report highlights a shift in
the focus on nuclear power development from the Western countries to Asia.
Assistance of the Agency to the developing countries in nuclear power
planning is thus necessary so that it may enable them to make correct
choice of the energy mix. Further help may also be provided to these
countries for the development of cost efficient and safe nuclear power
plants, should they opt for this choice.
The Agency may continue providing information to the interested
Member States on the potential role of nuclear power in the Clean
Development Mechanism and orchestrate support for achieving this goal,
while respecting the right of each State to choose its projects under the
CDM. In this connection the Group notes the new CRP on the role of nuclear
power and other energy options in the mitigation of green house gas
emissions. It appreciates the greater emphasis on planning of nuclear
power programmes using small and medium size reactors in the developing
countries, as well as the initiation of R&D projects on innovative
nuclear fuel cycle. Support to the interested developing countries in
nuclear desalination of sea water, which has proven its economic
competitiveness, is also commended.
The G-77 acknowledges the importance of activities of the Agency in
the use of nuclear techniques in the fields of food and agriculture, human
health and environment. These techniques have an indispensable edge in the
diagnosis and control of cancer. The Group, therefore, welcomes the
transfer of various nuclear techniques for the diagnosis of cancer, as
well as hepatitis, to the developing Member States. However, it is
necessary to ensure quality assurance and calibration of radiation sources
in order to avoid overexposures. The work on the development of isotope
based molecular techniques for the rapid and accurate detection of
multidrug resistant strains of tuberculosis is also an important
initiative. The extension of SIT for the control and eradication of
fruitfly and medfly in Latin America, South Africa and the Middle East is
also welcomed.
An area of crucial importance is that of development and management
of water resources, both for agriculture and drinking, due to the scarcity
already observed and foreseen in the near future. The emphasis of the
Agency on use of the ideally suited isotopic techniques for this purpose
is appreciated. It is encouraging to see that the technology developed by
the CRP on irradiation treatment of clean, polluted and waste water has
been taken up by the industry and engineering scale facilities are now in
operation. The Group also appreciates the coordination of the Agency with
other organizations in the use of isotope hydrology techniques for water
resources management in West Asia.
The Group attaches great significance to the efforts of the Agency in
strengthening nuclear and radiation safety around the world. The
development and updating of safety standards and the provision of expert
services in this regard is welcomed. The Agency's support for more than
150 safety related technical cooperation projects and more than 70
training courses and workshops, as well as the development of a set of
standardized training courses, is appreciated. The peer review, in
selected countries, of the Model Project on Upgradation of Radiation
Protection Infrastructure, in which more than 50 states are participating,
is a useful way to judge the implementation and efficacy of the project
and would point the way for future action. The ageing manpower in the
nuclear industry, the shrinking workforce, and the loss of institutional
memory is a cause of serious concern. To promote safety culture in this
industry intensive training of newly inducted manpower is of utmost
importance. Inculcating the habit and process of self assessment would
also be a way of sustaining good safety performance.
Finally, Mr. Chairman, the previous year achieved an important
landmark, i.e. the resolution of the longstanding issue of amendment to
Article VI of the Statute. The year also experienced an unmatched resource
utilization rate of 99.88%. Looking into the details, one notices
additional expenditure in programmes such as nuclear power, physical and
chemical sciences, nuclear safety, technical cooperation programme, etc;
which indicates that these areas need an increased allocation of funds.
With these remarks the Group of 77 and China approves the report for
onward transmission to the General Conference.
Thank you Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Chairman,
The Group of 77 and China would like to express its appreciation to
the Secretariat for the preparation of the document GOV/2000/16 on the
Technical Co-operation Report for 1999 and the Strengthening of the
Agency's technical cooperation activities. The document maintains the same
format and structure as the one presented last year and introduces in a
clear way the concrete results of the TC activities during 1999, a fact
which should enhance the support given by Member States to one of the IAEA
pillars.
The Group expresses its satisfaction for the successful achievements
and the progress made in 1999 during the implementation of the TC
strategy. The appropriate use of the key elements of the strategy, i.e.
Country Programme Framework, Thematic Planning and Model Projects have
contributed positively to the implementation of the Programme.
In this regards, the Group once again reiterates its support to the
Model Project concept. The extension of the concept of Model Projects in
the recipient countries has been consistent with the effort to achieve the
greatest impact, even more because they are oriented to prioritized areas
as human health, food, agriculture, environment and industrial
applications. In general, the combination of the key elements of the TC
strategy should reflect the real needs of developing countries so that
technical cooperation becomes more effective. The Group recognizes that in
1999 the TC Department made efforts in that direction and has achieved
outstanding results.
Mr. Chairman,
The TC strategy constitutes key elements considered in the framework
of the Agency's New Approach to Programme Development. In this regard, the
Group has expressed its support to the results based programming. In fact,
on that base it has already obtained important and positive experience
during the implementation of the TC strategy. The Group recognizes the
important role of the Director-General in the support given to the
implementation of the TC strategy and the Agency's New Approach. The Group
is of the opinion that the implementation of the Agency's New Approach is
one of the efficient means for the strengthening IAEA TC activities.
Mr. Chairman,
The Group underlines the need of increasing technical co-operation
among developing countries through different mechanisms and in this
regard, welcomes progress made on the implementation of Resolution
GC(43)/RES/14 on "Regional Resource Centres". The Group would
also like to point out the importance of strengthening the framework of
cooperation and coordination between the Agency and the current Regional
Cooperation Agreements (AFRA, ARCAL and RCA) and further enhancement of
the cooperation among those agreements. In this sense, the Group notes
that the Report does not reflect on the cooperation between the Agency and
the Regional Agreements and requests the Secretariat to incorporate
details on the progress made during 1999 in that direction. Important
outcomes of cooperation among Regional Agreements should be mentioned in
different domains, such as human health and regulatory matters (Tissue
Bank, Regulatory Guide on Radiotherapy), etc.
The Group takes note of the progress achieved in exploring
possibilities with nontraditional funding organizations, in particular,
International Development Organizations and the Private Sector. As the
Group already said in the recent past, the TC Department is encouraged to
further intensify efforts in finding new partners willing to establish a
mutually beneficial cooperation and exploring different extrabudgetary
resources options.
The Group welcomes the notable increase in the number of expert
missions, meetings and specialists' workshops made during 1999, since
these constitute an element of considerable importance in the transfer of
technology and knowledge. In that sense the Group expresses satisfaction
for the effort made to select lecturers and experts covering the needs of
the respective Regions from member countries of the Region. It represents
a good example of the effort to develop technical cooperation among
developing countries.
A slight increase was observed during 1999 in the number of training
and scientific visits and training courses. Nevertheless, with relation to
the equipment supplies it remained at the same level as 1998. In this
sense it should be pointed out that the equipment supply also constitutes
a component of major importance in the transfer of technology and should
follow the same tendency of growth as the other components, so as to
ensure that technical cooperation fulfills the needs of the recipient
countries.
In the opinion of the Group there should be no artificial limitations
imposed on the provision of equipment. It should be noted that for the
majority of developing countries it is difficult to allocate the necessary
resources to purchase equipment for the successful implementation of the
TC projects, taking into account the fact that equipment is imported from
developed countries.
The Group is also of the opinion that Regional Workshops on design
and planning of TC projects could become a useful and beneficial practice,
only if the participation of representatives of all countries is
guaranteed.
Mr. Chairman, The Group of 77 and China would like to congratulate
the TC Department for the high implementation rate of 74.6% achieved in
1999.
Nevertheless, related to the disbursement by regions during 1999, the
Group would like to underline that the distribution of resources in
practical terms should observe necessary priority should be given to
developing countries.
Mr. Chairman,
During 1999, as was the case in recent years; the Technical
Cooperation Fund (TCF) continued to constitute the main component in the
total available resources for Technical Cooperation activities. From here
stems the importance that all countries pledge to the Target and fully
make their respective payments. In relation to the above-mentioned, the
number of countries pledging to the TCF in 1999 was 73, equal to the
number the year 1998. Although it is a relatively high figure in
comparison with recent years, it represents only 56% of IAEA Member
States.
The Group recognizes among those countries that have fulfilled their
contribution to the TCF, those five that pledged and paid more than their
share. Satisfaction is at the same time expressed by the increase in 1999
of the available resources for Technical Cooperation with regard to 1998,
although it is mainly a major donor who paid its share covering its
commitments of previous years. As we mentioned last year, the Group fully
supports that great deal of credit must be given to the traditional donors
to the TCF.
Mr. Chairman,
The Group would like to recognize the major donors to the TCF, which
have contributed with 96,1% of the total available resources for this IAEA
pillar. At the same time, the Group recognizes the efforts made by
developing countries in order to pay contributions related to the assessed
programmes costs. In this regard, the Group would like to urge all States,
especially the major donors, to pay in full and on time their commitments
to the TCF.
On the other hand, the Group expresses concern for the fact of the
diminishing of extra-budgetary resources to the TCF for the second
consecutive year. This tendency is also observed with relation to the UNDP
contributions, falling to their lowest level in 1999. In this respect, the
same negative trend is observed for contributions in kind.
Mr. Chairman,
Finally, the Group requests the support of the Board of Governors to
the targets that have been proposed on behalf of the G-77 and China for
the TCF corresponding to the cycles 2001-2002 and 2003-2004, as an
expression of enhanced commitment to the IAEA Technical Cooperation
activities in the frame of the Agency's New Approach.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Chairman,
The Group of G77 and China wishes to express appreciation to the
Secretariat for the efforts in the preparation of the 2001 draft budget as
contained in GOV/2000/1 and its supplementary and modifying documents. We
would also like to commend the DDG Administration for his introductory
remarks on this subject.
Mr. Chairman,
Having taken due cognizance of all the budget documents, including
the advice provided by the Secretariat on a number of issues raised during
the May Session of the PBC, as well as the latest document 2000/NOTE/14,
the Group would like to comment as follows:
The Group welcomes the new 'Result-Based' approach adopted for the
formulation of the Agency's budget. It notes that the proposed structure
for the Agency's programme and budget conforms with the 'Result Based'
approach. The new approach is in line with the Group's long held position
that the Agency should change from the way and manner its budget
formulation is arrived at to a programme driven one. At this stage, the
Group will reserve its comments, until the detailed preparation of the
Agency's programme and activities is released.
Mr. Chairman,
The Group commends the Secretariat for enumerating the objectives and
outcomes at the Major Programme and Programme levels. Our expectation is
that this principle will be extended to the sub-programme and project
levels to give it a global outlook. As regards resource allocation, much
as we do not expect an immediate switch to the actual funding requirement
from the current ZRG budget, which in itself is a limitation to the
'Result-Based' approach, nevertheless, we expect that resources will be
allocated according to the relevance of programmes and priority needs of
Member States.
With the new approach, it is the expectation of the Group that the
Secretariat will ensure its faithful implementation. Such a development
will spare the Agency and indeed Members States the agony that usually
entails the realization that some sound programmes are held hostage due to
lack of adequate regular budget resources. It is even the more painful
when sound projects are pushed over either to the ever elongated list of
URPA's or invariably become candidates for the unpredictable and unassured
extra budgetary resources.
The Group notes that the Secretariat efforts at identifyintg savings
has led to the reallocation of US$ 250,000. This development has made it
possible for additional programmatic activities to be made within the same
level of resources. We therefore welcome the proposal to use the
additional savings to reduce the list of URPA's by incorporating into the
Regular Budget all or part of the funding needed for some of the
activities. You will recall that the Group had earlier advocated the full
restoration of US$ 270,000 to MP2 but only a reallocation of US$ 140,000
was made. Despite the above, the Group is encouraged by the fact that an
additional US$ 45,000 of the savings has been earmarked for CRPS in MP2.
It is equally noteworthy that the savings made would not lead to reduction
in priority programmatic activities.
Regarding the present proposed level of the budget it is perceived
that a limit to the elasticity and flexibility exercised by the
secretariat in the allocation of the fixed amount of resources for an
increasing scope of activities of the Agency will soon reach its optimal
limit, and consequently affecting adversely the implementation of the core
programmes. Such a limit has reportedly been crossed in the case of
several Major Programmes, as has been explicitly and implicitly indicated
by the secretariat for these MPs. The current process of "squeezing
savings" to maintain a certain financial ceiling may exacerbate the
process of prioritization and hamper the delicate balance between the
different activities of the Agency.
Having said all that, the Group would be prepared to go along with a
consensus on the proposed level of the 2001 budget as contained in
document GOV/2000/1/Mod.1 and the follow-up modifications presented in
document GOV/2000/Note 14.
On the initial planning for the Programme and Budget 2002/2003 the
Group notes that the proposed restructuring of technical programmes, in
particular the shifting of Nuclear Sciences from MP2 to MP1 and subsequent
retitling of MP1. Therefore the Group looks forward to programmes and
subprogrammes on these applications under this major programme in the
future document. It is further proposed that some of the programmes will
be incorporated into a single one, dealing with both technological and
safety aspects of radioactive waste management. As the proposed changes
are of a fundamental nature and given the importance which the group
attaches to them, we urge the Secretariat to further consult Member States
for an in-depth evaluation and analysis of the implication of these
proposals.
Finally, as regards the ongoing consultation on the financing of
Technical Cooperation and on financing of Safeguards, we welcome the
reports of the chairpersons of the two groups. The Group of 77 and China
is not convinced, to allow the the erotion of the principle of shielding
with regard to the contributions by the developing countries to the
safeguards component of the budget. As regards the level and financing of
the TCF the position of the G-77 countries is too well-known to bear
reiteration.
Thank you Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Chairman,
The G-77 and China welcomes the initiative taken up by the Director
General and thank him for bringing out document GOV/2000/28 'Nuclear
Technology Review 2000' to be discussed under the dedicated agenda of this
Board, upon the request of the Group.
The Group notes that the Nuclear Technology Review 2000, part I:
Nuclear Power, Fuel Cycle and Waste Management as an informative document
which contains up-to-date information on the status of the world's nuclear
power development. The Group considers this document to be timely and very
useful for all Member States which implement their national nuclear power
programmes. The document has clearly brought out the nuclear picture
worldwide and addressed all issues, particularly sustainable energy
management, and provides perspective view to the future. However, this
document could include more scientific and technological input as well as
analytical review to help policy makers in our capitals to arrive at
appropriate energy mixes for their respective countries.
Taking into account that the document itself is a concise one,
additional and separate analytical reports on different special topics of
the status and prospects of some scientific and technological problems of
nuclear energy should be issued. These reports should be prepared with
participation of the international experts and be supplemented to the main
document as is being implemented in Nuclear Safety Review.
Regarding Part II of the document on Nuclear Applications, the Group
finds the information contained very useful. Research reactors and
accelerators are powerful tools of nuclear science and have had a
significant impact on economic and industrial development in many
developing countries and have facilitated the development of high
technology products. They have also contributed significantly to health
care.
The Group notes that 58 countries, including 40 developing countries,
operate 293 research reactors and thousands of low energy particle
accelerators are in operation around the world. The document has
highlighted various applications in agriculture, medicine, industry, water
management, environment, etc. The Group notes that though some techniques
like Radioimmunoassay (RIA) is in decline in developed countries they are
useful to developing countries and are actually increasing, since they are
robust, less expensive and suitable for technology transfer. The Agency
should support such techniques that are useful to the developing world. An
issue of concern for the Group is the future security of supply of
isotopes. There are only limited number of production facilities and the
demand for isotopes is increasing. This could have an impact on the health
and industrial sectors, in particular.
Nuclear Instrumentation is a key element in the infrastructure for
development. Therefore, training in the calibration, maintenance and
repair of instruments based on older, more conventional electronics will
still be needed for developing countries.
Nuclear data are essential for applications including nuclear power,
nuclear safeguards, nuclear medicine and activation analysis. Expensive
and demanding measurements are needed to obtain nuclear data and most of
the developing countries can not afford it. The Agency should continue to
coordinate with the international community to share international data
repository.
The Group notes that 112 crop mutant varieties have been released in
28 countries in the last five years alone, and the Sterile Insect
Technique (SIT) has been successfully implemented in Argentina, Chile,
Guatemala and the USA, among others. The role of this nuclear technique
for targeting and tracking progress in food and nutrition, diagnosis of
various diseases and treatment should continue to be employed in the
developing world. All these activities are important for the Group and the
Agency should allocate adequate resources.
This document should be issued annually, its content should be
discussed by Member States at the meeting of the March Board of Governors
and at the General Conference on annual basis. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Chairman,
The Group on several occasions in the past had suggested that
activities under Nuclear Science, Technology and Applications should be
discussed in the Board on an annual basis as it is being done for Nuclear
Safety and Safeguards. Accordingly the Group is happy that the Director
General has provided an opportunity to discuss Nuclear Technology Review
2000 in this Board. However, many of the States members of the Group are
not represented in Vienna and hence not in a position to attend the Board
meetings. It would, therefore, be more appropriate to discuss this vital
topic on a much wider basis. For this reason the Group formally proposes
to have a dedicated agenda in the forthcoming 44th General Conference
titled 'Strengthening the Agency's activities in Nuclear Science,
Technology and Applications'. Under this agenda, all relevant topics
including Nuclear Technology Review could be discussed.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Chairman,
First of all, I would like to thank DDG Mr. Domaratzki on his
presentation on the issue. Mr. Chairman,
I would like to recall in this regard that the observations submitted
by the Group during the March Board in comment on the DG's introductory
statement then, are still valid, and would like to reiterate the request
that the secretariat would take them into consideration. Furthermore, the
Group would request the Secretariat to submit an annual evaluation report
on the results of the existing co-operation in order that Member States
would be able to review the efficiency gains realized from that synergy,
and to propose any appropriate measures to enhance the realization of such
gains. Thank you!
Mr. Chairman,
As you are well aware ,the 2000 NPT Review Conference concluded its
workings on May 19, 2000 after an intensive period of consultations and
deliberations to accelerate the objectives of Nuclear non-proliferation,
and peaceful uses of the Atomic Energy.
In that regard, I would like to bring to the kind attention of the
members of the Board that the members of the G-77 and China, parties of
the NPT prepared a working paper on the issue of "Technical
Co-operation and Technology Transfer Activities in the framework of the
IAEA" to be used in the deliberations of the third committee of the
Conference.
The paper contained also some recommendations covering the previous
areas. We would kindly request the Secretariat to distribute the paper as
an information document of the Agency.
Mr. Chairman,
The Review Conference adopted a final document which embodied a
significant part on Technical Co-operation, and which underlined inter
alia, the following:
I. Acknowledging the importance of the work of the IAEA as the
principal agent for nuclear technology transfer, and affirming the
importance of the TC activities of the Agency in fulfilling the
obligations set forth in Article IV of the NPT.
II. Calling upon all states parties to the NPT in acting in pursuance
of the objectives of the Treaty to observe the legitimate rights of all
states parties, particularly developing states, to have full access to
nuclear material, equipment and technological information for peaceful
purposes.
III. Stressing that every effort should be made to ensure that the
IAEA's financial and human resources necessary for TC activities are
assured, predictable, and sufficient to meet the objectives mandated in
Article IV. paragraph 2 of the Treaty and Article II of the IAEA statute.
IV. Urging member States of the Agency to make every effort to pay in
full and on time their contributions to the TCF.
It is the belief of the G-77 and China that the above elements
should serve as a guidance to the present deliberations on the issue of
the financing of TC activities, including the attempts to indicate target
figures for the TCF for the biennium as well the IPF for the following
biennium. Thank you!
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