Vienna Chapter
Madam Chairman,
On behalf of G77 and China, I would like to thank the Director
General for his introductory remarks and the Secretariat for preparing the
Annual Report for the year 2002 as contained in Agency document
GOV/2003/30. The Group appreciates the format and content of the Report,
which allows for easy access to the information needed on various subject
areas. The account of significant achievements during 2002 has been
rendered under the classification of the three traditional pillars of the
Agency's activities, i.e., technology, safety and verification. However,
the introductory chapter, with the caption "The Nuclear World in 2002",
gives more of a descriptive review rather than a thematic analysis as
perceived by the Agency.
Madam Chairman,
The Group of 77 and China greatly appreciates the achievements
mentioned under various categories of the activities undertaken during
2002, for which both the Agency and developed Member States deserve equal
credit. The Group believes that a more strengthened interaction between
the developing Member States, the Agency and developed countries will
further promote the prospects for results having visible impact on end
users. In the technology area, the Group notes that more emphasis on
nuclear power, waste management and preservation of nuclear knowledge is
needed. The Report has underemphasized the importance and achievements in
innovative reactor and fuel cycle technologies, in this area. This
important project has been diffused into the activities of Generation IV
Information Forum (GIF) and the Michelangelo initiatives. Much more work
has been done in INPRO than actually reported. The progress should be duly
reflected, on the basis of the reports available. The Agency's
achievements during 2002 in the area of food and agriculture, with
particular focus on Africa, better utilization of nuclear medical and
radiotherapeutic techniques and enhancement of efforts in research on
nutrition in the least developed and developing countries, are
praiseworthy.
Madam Chairpman,
The Group of 77 and China has noted that the Annual Report does not
give clear and adequate description of the technology transfer component
achievable through the promotional activities. Further, the Annual Report
could also include data on training and scientific visits associated with
various regulatory and promotional programmes. The inclusion in the Annual
Report of information on the activities of regional agreements such as
RCA, AFRA, ARCAL and ARASIA would benefit Member States.
The coordinated research projects play a very important role in the
advancement of the cause of the Agency's technical programmes. The Annual
Report lists only the CRP's, but does not give a comprehensive assessment
of their results or impact on the overall programme. The Group notes with
concern that out of the TC disbursements by the Agency according to
Programme and Region in 2002 a major portion of funds has been allocated
to Europe, despite the fact that Europe is by large economically and
technically more developed than other regions.
Madam Chairman,
The safety of nuclear installations and their operators is of very
high importance to the Group of 77 and China. Considerable activities
which, according to the present Annual Report undertaken by the Agency and
Member States cover such diverse areas as radiation safety, nuclear
installation safety and waste safety. The Group feels that in the Chapter
entitled "Safety of Nuclear Installations" the Agency has not
given an adequate description on the current status of process of
establishing an international code of conduct on the safety of research
reactors.
The Group hopes that the Agency will put this matter in its proper
perspective. Nuclear safety and security have been put together in the
introductory chapter entitled the "Nuclear World in 2002". This
is in line with the proposal made by the G77 and China last year which
called for separating security from safeguards. However, in the main part
of the text of the present Annual Report, verification and security are
tackled exist in the same chapter.
The Group of 77 and China has noted with satisfaction that
considerable work has been accomplished in the year 2002 in areas such as
international safety standards, building infrastructure for greater safety
and transparency in the preparation of guidelines on safety. The Group
also notes with appreciation the work carried out in the area of nuclear
security, including efforts to control illicit trafficking of nuclear
material. The Advisory Group on Nuclear Security (AdSec) has met several
times and has reportedly made recommendations on the Agency's security
related activities and programmes. But no mention has been made in the
Annual Report about the nature of these recommendations. The Group
believes that publication of the AdSec's relevant recommendations will
benefit the Member States in implementing their nuclear security
programmes.
Madam Chairman,
All Member States of the G77 and China firmly believe in the need for
an effective and efficient safeguards system. It is necessary that the
safeguards system should be based upon robust technology, good management
strategy and cost effective operations so that it remains well within the
economic reach of the Member States and enjoys a smooth and sustained
progress. Furthermore, the Group strongly believes that a balance between
verification and other statutory activities of the Agency is of vital
importance for achieving the objectives for which the Agency was created.
The Annual Report should reflect this important aspect in its contents.
With these observations and remarks, Madam Chairperson, the Group of
77 and China would be pleased to take note of the Annual Report for 2002
as contained in the document GOV/2003/30.
Thank you Madam Chairman.
Madam Chairman,
At the outset, the Group wishes to express gratitude to Ms. Ana Maria
Cetto the first woman Deputy Director General appointed in the Agency's 45
year history, for her comprehensive introductory statement.
Strong government commitment to project objectives is essential and
the Group is pleased to note that the Agency gives full consideration to
increasing ownership by States as a key success indicator while finalizing
the Technical Co-operation programme for 2003-2004. Thematic plans
prepared by the Agency for food irradiation, river basin management and
the role of isotopic techniques in the control of communicable diseases
are adequate.
Now that the Agency has created a separate fund for carrying out
activities in the field of Nuclear Security, the Group is of the opinion
that physical protection and nuclear security programmes in Europe, where
the Technical Co-operation Fund (TCF) is being partly used at present,
should be fully financed through the Nuclear Security Fund.
The Group notes with appreciation that the Secretariat has been
working with Member States, within regional groups, in identifying
regional resource centers and in developing and refining outsourcing
mechanisms to enhance Technical Co-operation among developing countries
(TCDC). In addition, outsourcing has been identified as an important way
to enhance and intensify TCDC, while increasing the operational
effectiveness and efficiency of the implementation of the TC Programme.
As recommended by SAGTAC, the programme approval process requires a
new approach, in order to improve efficiencies. The Group has taken note
of the fact that the Secretariat has reviewed the entire programme cycle
of the technical Co-operation planning process, and has taken appropriate
steps by simplifying the TC request form and developing an internet system
to prepare an electronic request for procurement.
Even though as per the resolution GC (44)/RES/8, the rate of
attainment set for 2002 was 85%, actual payments to the fund stood at 79%
of the target for 2002. We therefore request the Member States, in
particular the Major Donors, to pledge and pay their respective share of
TCF targets on time.
The Group appreciates the Secretariat's effort in publishing a new
brochure entitled "Science Serving people" and in launching a
Website informing people about how the Agency is helping to harness
scientific knowledge to promote development and deliver real benefits to
the developing world.
Evaluation of activities undertaken by the Technical Co-operation
programme is essential. The Group of 77 and China attaches importance to
the evaluation of three activities conducted during 2002, namely: a
comprehensive evaluation of the programme planning process; an evaluation
of Technical Co-operation projects on land remediation in Central and
Eastern Europe; and an evaluation of projects in crop improvement for food
and agriculture. The Group is pleased to note that there are no adverse
remarks in the evaluation report. We request the Secretariat to implement
the suggested recommendations on evaluations.
The Group strongly believes that more efforts need to be made to
raise awareness and change the minds of potential partners and to reverse
the public opinion about nuclear technology. Governments and donors should
consider the Agency as an important contributor in the areas of
sustainable development - water, energy, health and agriculture - in which
the Agency's Technical Co-operation programme has contributed immensely in
developing countries. The Technical Co-operation programmes require
greater resources for achieving its objectives. Even though the Technical
Co-operation strategy established an ambitious objective of a 25% increase
in extra budgetary resources by 2007 (based on 2002 data), it is not very
clear how the Agency is going to achieve this objective.
The increasing difficulties faced by the Agency in the implementation
of Technical co-operation projects because of the refusal by a large
number of airlines, sea carriers, airports, marine ports etc. to accept
the transportation of sealed sources and radioactive material need to be
resolved soon. This obstacle has a negative impact on the sustainability
of projects that have been implemented.
It is appropriate to underline the efforts that have been made to
continue the partnerships with non-traditional funding organizations and
the improved impact of TC projects through partnerships with the
operational activities of other organizations. The Group invites the TC
Department to further intensify efforts in achieving this goal.
With these comments the Group requests the Director General to
transmit the Report to the General Conference for information.
I thank you, Madam Chairman.
Madam Chairman,
The Group of 77 and China wishes to thank the Secretariat for
preparing the document on Nuclear Security - Measures to Protect Against
Nuclear Terrorism as contained in document GOV/2003/38. The Group has
carefully reviewed the document and would like to make the following
comment:
The Group appreciates the Agency's efforts in planning and
implementing the nuclear security plan activities as described in document
GOV/2002/10, the Group is of the view that despite these efforts the
Agency should continue to accord highest priority to effective
implementation of its plan of activities for nuclear security. Particular
emphasis should be given to those activities with direct impact in Member
States.
In this context, the Group is fully convinced that broad coverage of
nuclear security and radio-active issues should be improved through
training courses, workshops, seminars and international and regional
courses.
Madam Chairman,
As regards resources, the Group is gravely concerned that US$ 1.5
million is allocated to respond to requests from recipient countries
though Technical Cooperation, and that amount is directed to carry out
nuclear security activities in Europe, this trend is not consistent with
the Group's position stated earlier, that any nuclear security activity
should not be implemented at the expense of the Technical Cooperation
Programme. Having said that, the Group is not in a position to agree to
para 10 of the document and calls upon the Secretariat not to utilize this
fund in any other activities except for Technical Cooperation Programme.
Madam Chairman,
The Group is aware that the Director General has established the
Advisory Group on Nuclear Security (AdSec) to advise him on the Agency's
activities related to nuclear materials. Despite the fact that the Group
has repeatedly requested information on the work of the AdSec, the Group
has not been informed on this issue. Therefore the Group reiterates its
request to be advised of the AdSec activities.
Madam Chairman,
The G-77 and China is concerned about the loss of voting rights by 29
developing Member States, as well as about the accumulation of arrears
that currently affects 50 Member States, which is not conducive to a fully
participatory, egalitarian and strengthened Agency.
This situation constitutes a warning signal that the Agency's Regular
Budget has already reached a level that is beyond the payment capacity of
a segment of Member States. Therefore, in order to ease the financial
burden of Member States in arrears, the G77 & China would like to see
an extension of the period of payment plans from 5 to 10 years, as is the
case in other organizations belonging to the United Nations family. The
flexibility of requirements to enter into such plans should also be
considered.
The proposal for an extension of payment periods started to be
examined during the debates of the Committee of the Whole of the 46th
General Conference. However, at the request of some Member States, the
General Conference, through decision GC(46)/DEC/8, requested that this
matter be dealt with during the current meeting of the Board.
Failure to reach a consensus on this matter last year may have,
inter-alia, led to the recent withdrawal of one State from the Agency. For
this reason, the G-77 and China encourage this period of sessions of the
Board to take a timely decision on this matter, so as to facilitate the
preparation of the necessary documents by the Secretariat, as well as to
allow Member States to take opportune steps to recover their voting rights
in time to fully participate in the IAEA's 47th General Conference next
September.
Thank you Madam Chairman.
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