Statement of the G-77 and China during the IAEA Board of Governors
delivered by H.E. Ambassador Taous Feroukhi, Permanent Representative of Algeria,
7-11 June 2009
Agenda Item 2: The Annual Report for 2009
Mr. Chairman,
On behalf of the Group of 77 and China, I would like at the outset to thank
the Director General for his comprehensive introductory statement.
The Group would like to thank the Director General and the Secretariat for
preparing the draft of the Annual Report for 2009 as contained in document GOV/2010/24,
which provides very useful information on the activities of the Agency and their
results throughout the past year.
Nuclear Power, Fuel cycle and Nuclear Science
The Group notes that a large number of developing member states remained seriously
interested in launching nuclear power programmes and notes that this interest
is further consolidated in a threefold increase in the related technical cooperation
projects in the 2009-2011 TC Cycle. The Group encourages the Agency to continue
to provide necessary support to the requesting MS interested in launching and
expanding nuclear power programmes. The Group also notes that in 2009, the Agency
launched a new integrated nuclear infrastructure review (INIR) service to assess
national infrastructure needs based on Agency's guidance document 'Milestones
in the Development of a National Infrastructure for Nuclear Power'. In this context,
the Group would like to reiterate that while welcoming the Agency's activities
for providing assistance to the requesting Member States, the Group would like
to remind that such publications are only guidance documents and should not in
any way be made mandatory prerequisites for receiving technical cooperation.
The Group notes that out of a total of 437 nuclear power reactors in operation
at the end of 2009, 339 had been in operation for more than 20 years. The Group
underscores that the renaissance of nuclear power is closely linked to efficient
and safe operation of the existing fleet of nuclear reactors. In this context,
the Group notes with appreciation the work of the Agency in rendering engineering
support for operation, maintenance and plant life management by compiling and
disseminating information on technological advances, best practices and lessons
learned from past experience. The Group further notes the successful Conference
convened by the Agency on 'Opportunities and Challenges for water cooled reactors
in the 21st Century" which provided an opportunity for participants to share
lessons learned from operation and regulatory experience. The group also welcomes
the publication of various documents in 2009 in the areas of operation, maintenance
and plant life management.
The Group notes with appreciation the timely establishment of a new review
mission under the aegis of the Agency, Independent Engineering Review of Instrumentation
& Control Systems (IERICS).
The Group continues to believe that the success of the nuclear renaissance
would largely depend on the availability of sufficient skilled workforce in all
stages of the nuclear fuel cycle. The Group encourages the Agency to continue
to provide support to Member States in human resource development. The Group also
welcomes the publication of new guide, 'Managing Human Resources in the field
of Nuclear Energy'.
The Group appreciates the work of the Agency in the area of Nuclear Reactor
Technology Development through the Technical Working Groups in different reactor
technologies, small and medium sized reactors and non electric applications, such
as hydrogen generation and desalination using nuclear power. The Group notes with
satisfaction various activities accomplished in this area through coordinated
research projects, technical meetings, workshops, training and publication of
documents.
The Group notes with satisfaction that the Agency's INPRO project continues
to grow since its establishment in 2001 and that in 2009, its activities were
consolidated in five new substantive areas: nuclear energy system assessments
(NESA) using the INPRO methodology; global vision, scenarios and pathways to sustainable
nuclear development; innovation in nuclear technology; innovations in institutional
arrangements; and the INPRO dialogue forum on nuclear energy innovations. The
Group encourages the Agency's continued efforts to seek innovation in nuclear
power.
The Group notes with satisfaction that the Agency in response to strong interest
from developing member states provided training in all aspects of uranium production
in Africa, Asia and Latin America and encourages the Agency to continue to provide
full support to the requesting Member States in this area. The Group welcomes
the inclusion in the Report of activities like Nuclear Power Reactor Fuel Engineering,
Spent Fuel Management and Integrated Nuclear Fuel Cycle Information System. The
Group notes the efforts of the Agency directed towards efficient use of fissile
and fertile resources under the heading 'topical advanced fuel cycle' and considers
them important and timely from the sustainability considerations in view of the
renewed interest in the nuclear power in large number of Member states.
The Group notes with satisfaction that a large number of energy analysts in
various developing countries have been trained and national energy assessment
efforts were supported through Agency TC projects. The Group appreciates the various
activities of the Agency in the area of knowledge management and notes with satisfaction
that after the free access to International Nuclear Information System (INIS)
via the Internet was added in 2009, the average number of INIS searches from 7,000
per month at the beginning rose to 70,000 per month in December.
The Group welcomes the inclusion in the Report of activities under atomic
and nuclear data, research reactors, accelerators, nuclear instrumentation and
spectrometry and nuclear fusion and reiterates its support for these programmes.
The Group notes various initiatives undertaken by the Secretariat towards addressing
the shortage of Molybdenum-99 supplies. The Group remains concerned on the severe
shortages in the supplies of fission-produced molybdenum-99 and of technetium-99m
generators that continue to affect medical diagnostic applications in patients
in most parts of the world. The Group requests the Secretariat to redouble its
efforts to ensure the availability of radioisotope supplies, including through
the enhancement of the utilization of reactors in developing countries for isotope
production.
Non-power Applications
Mr. Chairman,
Turning to the activities related to non-power nuclear applications, the Group
attaches great importance to various activities in the fields of food and agriculture,
human health, water resources, environment, radioisotope production and radiation
technology. The Group recognizes the benefits obtained by Member States from the
IAEA/FAO joint activities in the application of nuclear techniques in the fields
of crop and livestock production, sustainable control of major insect pests, soil
degradation and food quality and safety. The Group strongly supports the Agency's
activities in the areas of securing the supply of medical isotopes.
The Group views that it is important that the Agency continues to assist
Member States in the attainment of the MDGs including, inter alia, through the
improvement of agricultural productivity and childhood nutrition, poverty reduction,
ensuring environmental sustainability, development of global partnerships for
development, and through Coordinated Research Projects on a variety of technological
and scientific resources available within the Agency's capacity.
The Group notes with appreciation the Agency's activities in addressing
the needs of Member States in the area of human health, particularly with regard
to capacity building and enhancing technical capabilities in nutrition, nuclear
medicine and diagnostic imaging and their associated quality assurance standards
and procedures, as well as in cancer treatment. The Group highly commends the
expansion of the Agency's collaboration with leading cancer organizations, and
also with Member States' national cancer institutes and centers under the Programme
of Action for Cancer Therapy (PACT). The Group takes note with satisfaction
the launch of a joint programme with WHO on Cancer Control. The Group commends
the PACT Management Office for its continuing activities and fundraising efforts
and encourages it to continue this noble endeavor.
The Group commends the Agency for its role in ongoing global water management
efforts and in assessing the impact of climate change through its isotope hydrology
initiatives, and appreciates the assistance it has provided to Member States
in their efforts towards incorporating isotope hydrology in their national water
resource management programme. The Group also notes with appreciation the publication
of regional Atlases of Isotope Hydrology that will be useful in making existing
isotope data available to Member States.
The Group recognizes the unique role that the Agency plays in enhancing
the capabilities of Member States in understanding environmental dynamics and
in the identification and mitigation of marine and terrestrial environment problems
caused by radioactive and non-radioactive pollutants using nuclear techniques.
With regard to the application of nuclear and radiation techniques in medicine
and industry, the Group expresses its satisfaction with the Agency's contribution
to improved health care and safe and clean industrial development in Member
States through the use of radioisotopes and radiation technology, and to strengthen
national capabilities for producing radioisotope products and utilizing radiation
technology for socioeconomic development.
In view of the crucial role that the Technical Cooperation Programme plays
in upholding the promotional pillar of the Agency and in the implementation
of technical cooperation activities in Member States for their sustainable socioeconomic
development, the Group of 77 and China reiterates its calls for the strengthening
of the promotional activities of the Agency including technical cooperation
through the provision of adequate resources to cater for the growing needs of
Member States.
Nuclear Safety and Security
Mr. Chairman,
Regarding the section on nuclear safety and security, the Group wishes to
reiterate that the primary responsibility for the safety and security of nuclear
and other radioactive materials rests entirely with the Member State. The Group
notes the Agency activities undertaken in 2009 in these areas. As stated on
several occasions, the Group attaches great importance to the issue of nuclear
safety, as an integral component of any nuclear programme and believes that
the Agency, in line with Article III of its Statute, has a pivotal role to play
in supporting Member States in this field. The Group remains of the view that
nuclear safety and security considerations should not be used to hamper the
utilization of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes in developing countries.
The Group is pleased to note that in 2009, safety performance of the nuclear
industry remained at a high level and that various safety indicators continued
to show some improvements. The Group concurs with the view in the Report that
complacency should be avoided and continuous improvements and strengthening
of global nuclear safety efforts were necessary. In this context, the Group
welcomes efforts by the Agency in organizing an International Conference on
'Effective Nuclear Regulatory Systems' held in Cape Town in December 2009, to
find ways of improving the global nuclear safety regulatory framework and systems,
thus assisting the Agency to improve its support activities and services provided
in this field.
The Group notes the increasing interest in nuclear power particularly in
developing countries and that such projections call for the need to strengthen
efforts to support new entrants in developing capacities and technical skills
in the nuclear field. The Group welcomes assistance to developing countries
embarking on nuclear power and encourages the Agency to continue its efforts
to countries in developing and strengthening their regulatory systems and infrastructures
needed to develop nuclear power as part of their national energy mix. In this
connection, the Group notes the Agency's completion of a draft safety guide,
DS424, "Establishing a Safety Infrastructure for a National Nuclear Power
Programme", providing a 'road map' to apply the entire set of the Agency's
safety principles and requirements in the development of a nuclear power programme,
thus ensuring that a high level of safety is achieved. While welcoming publication
of such useful guidance documents, the Group reaffirms that they should not
be used as a reference for approval of TC projects for Member States. In this
context, the Group calls upon the Agency to ensure the necessary means for providing
the appropriate TC to achieve the objective of establishing an adequate safety
infrastructure.
The Group further notes the Agency's continued efforts in supporting the
sharing of knowledge, expertise and information on best practices in nuclear
safety for research reactors and welcomes the establishment of a web-based Research
Reactor Information Network, as well as a Regional Advisory Safety Committee
for Africa, to deal with safety related issues pertaining to research reactors.
The Group notes that during 2009, the Agency was informed of 211 safety
related incidents involving or suspected to involve ionizing radiation. Most
of these events were found to have no safety significance and/or no radiological
impact on people or the environment. The Group would like to encourage the Agency
to enhance its efforts to assist Member States in improving their ability to
respond to such incidents. The Group notes the growing interest in the Agency's
Response Assistance Network (RANET) and further notes its testing carried out
in the Latin American region under an exercise 'ShipEx-1'to test existing capabilities
for safe and expeditious transport of samples for biological dosimetry assessment.
The Group hopes that results of such an exercise would assist the Agency in
providing support to Member States, by ensuring safe and timely shipment of
samples during assistance missions.
The Group notes with concern that denials and delays of shipment of radioactive
material continued to occur and welcomes a database developed as part of an
action plan to address this recurring problem. Such database could be useful
in identifying trends to focus international efforts to address the root causes
and appropriate remedial actions to resolve this problem.
The Group welcomes the launch of a web based platform called RASIMS (the
Radiation Safety Information Management System) to help Member States to improve
their radiation safety infrastructures. The Group notes with appreciation efforts
by the Agency to encourage exchange of information and experiences among Member
States on the control and management of disused radioactive sources or orphan
sources.
The Group notes with appreciation assistance provided by the Agency in helping
countries to manage and ensure safety of disused high activity radioactive sources.
The Group notes the deployment of mobile hot cells for assisting countries that
lack the required infrastructure to conduct safe conditioning of high activity
radioactive sources. The Group looks forward to the deployment of such facilities
in more countries that lack the required infrastructure and request such assistance.
The Group welcomes the complete revision of the International Basic Safety
Standards for Protection against Ionizing Radiation and for the Safety of Radiation
Sources (BSS). The Group appreciates the important role of the Agency in supporting
and enhancing Member States capabilities in the field of nuclear safety.
Mr. Chairman,
Turning to nuclear security, the Group takes note of a range of Agency activities
undertaken in support of Member States national nuclear security systems and
notes the Agency's effort of convening an International Symposium on Nuclear
Security.
The Group takes note of the Agency's activities in supporting Member States,
upon request, to improve their nuclear security infrastructure.
The Group welcomes the Agency's Nuclear Security Plan covering the 2010-2013
period.
The Group will address the section on Technical Cooperation, in detail,
under the agenda item-5 related to TC Report 2009.
With these remarks, the Group of 77 and China takes note of Annual Report
for 2009 as contained in document GOV/2010/24.
I thank you Mr. Chairman.
Agenda Item 3: Measures to strengthen international cooperation in nuclear,
radiation and transport safety and waste management:
Draft Safety Requirements: disposal of radioactive waste
Mr. Chairman,
Regarding the Draft Safety Requirements for the Disposal
of Radioactive Waste, as contained in document GOV/2010/2 Rev.1, the Group of
77 and China notes that the draft was approved in June 2009 by the Radiation
Safety Standards Committee and the Waste Safety Standards Committee, and was
endorsed in October 2009 by the Commission on Safety Standards.
The Group notes that at the Board meeting in March 2010, consideration of
the draft was deferred at the request of one Board member. A revised draft was
endorsed in March 2010 by the Commission on Safety Standards.
The Group concurs with the action recommended for the Board.
Thank you Mr. Chairman.
Agenda Item 4(a): Strengthening of the Agency's technical cooperation activities:
Technical Cooperation Report for 2009
Mr. Chairman,
The Group of 77 and China wishes to thank Deputy Director General Ms. Ana
Maria Cetto for her introductory statement and the staff of the Technical Cooperation
Department for preparing the relevant documents and for the briefing on this
subject.
The Group wishes to reiterate the paramount importance of the Technical Cooperation
Programme (TCP) of the Agency. As the main statutory vehicle of the Agency for
transferring nuclear technology, it plays a key role in the promotion of nuclear
technology for sustainable socioeconomic progress in developing countries and
contributes towards the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals.
The Group shares the view expressed in the report that IAEA's technical cooperation
programme is a shared responsibility, the result of the combined efforts of
the technical Departments, the Department of Technical Cooperation, and the
Member States themselves. The Group recognizes that the combined contributions
of Member States and the Secretariat are crucial for the planning and successful
implementation of the TCP, which is essentially based on the needs and evolving
priorities of the recipient Member States.
The Group notes that in the Summary of the Report, it is mentioned that Part
A would provide an overview of the new mechanisms and procedures that have been
developed by the Secretariat during the period 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2010.
We think the enumeration and further elaboration of these new mechanisms and
procedures would be very useful. In this regard we would like to request the
inclusion of a table highlighting any changes that have been introduced in order
to help us better understand these efforts.
The Group notes that the Rate of Attainment, on pledges, stood at 94.0% at
the end of 2009. The Group also wishes that the report should include the rate
of attainment on the TCF target.
The Group reiterates its call upon the Secretariat to strictly apply the
due account mechanism in respect of all countries that fall short of paying
their full share to the TCF in a timely manner.
The Group would like to commend the staff of the TC Department, who in spite
of increasing workload conditions, managed to achieve an implementation rate
of 77.3% for 2009. The Group however, wishes to see the calculation of this
rate be based on the TC-approved core programme for the year under assessment,
which would give a better indication of actual programme delivery. The Group
would like to highlight that the assessment of the implementation level should
also take into account various factors. While expressing its appreciation to
the staff of the TC Department for their efforts in trying to achieve efficient
programme delivery despite resource constraints, the Group calls on the Secretariat
to help overcome the long-standing obstacles such as delays and denials for
procurement as well as the continuing problems with travel and visa restrictions
imposed by a number of countries that are affecting the implementation of the
TCP. In some cases, several incidences that are beyond the control of Member
States and the Agency hamper programme delivery, among them the major natural
disasters and particular security situations.
The Group further notes that the Secretariat has attempted to address the
difficulty in securing placements in countries with advanced facilities in response
to Member States' fellowship requests by conducting special in-house courses
in Vienna. While this may be a practical measure in the short-term, we believe
it will not be a viable solution in addressing long-term needs. In this regard,
we request the cooperation of all Member States and the Secretariat in resolving
this problem.
While the Group considers the Country Programme Framework (CPF) as one of
the programming tools that could be employed in planning the TCP, it reiterates
that the CPF is a non-binding document and shall not be the definitive reference
to screen Member States TC projects or to prevent them from participating in
TC activities. The 5-year validity of the CPF also means that it is a static
document that will not be able to capture the evolving needs and change in priorities
of Member States from developing countries over that period.
The Group wishes to highlight that the planning of the TCP, its implementation,
monitoring and evaluation involve close cooperation between the Member States
and the Secretariat. The Programme Management Officer (PMO), who is the direct
interface between the Agency and the Member State, acts as the Agency's resident
expert on a Member State's needs, interests and priorities. In view of the specialized
nature of the work of the Agency, this close interfacing between the PMO, who
is the contact point for the overall management of a Member States' TCP, and
Member State's counterpart, usually the National Liaison Officer (NLO), cannot
be delegated to UN resident representatives. The joint responsibility of the
PMO and the Member State's counterpart is to carefully design projects based
on the Central Criterion and developmental strategies of the Member States concerned,
using the IT-based Programme Cycle Management Framework (PCMF). In this regard,
the Group looks forward to the enhancement of this IT-platform, particularly
by making it a more user-friendly tool, and reiterates the need to provide appropriate
training to Member States in its subsequent phases of implementation.
The Group continues to stress on the vital role of the National Liaison
Officers in TC project implementation. In this context, the strengthening of
the NLO's management capabilities and the capacity of the NLO office, together
with the strengthening of the role of the PMO would be essential to enhance
country programme delivery.
The Group remains concerned that the resources for the TCP are still not
sufficient, assured and predictable (SAP) to meet the objectives mandated in
Article II of the Statute as called for in several GC resolutions. The Group
also calls for adequate funding for MP-6 to ensure successful programme delivery.
The Group welcomes the success of the TC activities within the different
regions and thanks the Secretariat for its role in providing support and assistance.
In this regard, the Group also looks forward to an increase in nuclear energy
activities in the next cycle in tandem with Member States' growing interest
in the nuclear power option in their energy mix, along with sustained focus
on the areas of health, applications of nuclear technology in food and agriculture,
environment, water resources and industry, as well as in nuclear knowledge management.
The Group deems it necessary for the Agency to maintain an adequate balance
between its promotional activities, which constitute the Technical Cooperation
Programme, and its other statutory activities. The Group stresses the need to
strengthen Technical Cooperation activities and continuously enhance the effectiveness
and efficiency of the TCP in accordance with the requests and needs of Member
States. The Group equally emphasizes that all measures taken and policies adopted
in this regard should preserve and enhance the ownership of TC projects by developing
countries.
The Group reiterates its call for adequate resources to alleviate the increasing
burden faced by the TC Department due to activities for fuel repatriation as
well as core conversion from HEU to LEU. The Group reiterates its position that
such activities are not promotional activities. The Group therefore believes
that the cost of the management of such projects, including staff support costs,
should be fully financed through the Nuclear Security Fund and other extrabudgetary
resources.
The Group notes the Secretariat's view that regional and cooperative agreements
remain the primary mechanism for technical cooperation among developing countries.
We would like to stress that TC among developing countries or TCDC, offers a
rather limited scope for sharing of experience and some facilities. In our view,
regional and cooperative agreement TC programs should involve the Agency, developed
and developing countries since it is only through such triangular cooperation
that Member States could benefit from real transfer of technology, knowledge
and expertise.
The Group would like to emphasize that by virtue of their specialized technical
focus, TC projects may not fit in a UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF).
Therefore alignment with UNDAFs should not be imposed as criteria for approval
of TC projects. Additionally, neither should criteria such as "socio-economic
impact" or "measurable outcomes" be applied as parameters for
project design nor their absence be grounds for rejection of project proposals.
In this regard, the Group is disappointed that our previous comments and concerns
regarding references to such concepts for ascertaining the impact of TC projects
had been ignored and that the particular OIOS evaluation report in which those
references were made was included in this TC Report.
The Group takes note that across all regions, Member States' interest in
safety and security-related activities remains high. While such activities are
important steps towards building Member States' national capacity in nuclear
safety and security, it is equally important to recognize that safety and security
should not be an end to itself and that the levels of nuclear safety and security
requirements and infrastructures should commensurate with the levels of nuclear
activity in respective countries.
With these remarks, the Group of 77 and China takes note of TC Report for
2009 as contained in document GOV/2010/26.
I thank you Mr. Chairman.
Agenda Item 4(b): Proposal to the Board of Governors by the Vice-Chairman
on project INT/0/085 (GOV/2010/35)
Mr. Chairman,
The Group of 77 and China deeply appreciates the successful efforts undertaken
by Ambassador Rudiger Ludeking, Vice Chairman of the Board, to prepare a revised
proposal and garner consensus on this matter.
We hope that similar situations could be avoided in the future by better
communication, dialogue and transparency between the Member States and the Secretariat.
While we continuously strive to make the TC programme more effective and efficient,
any reform or changes which directly or indirectly affect the design and implementation
of TC projects, must be prepared in close consultation with developing Member
States.
The Group looks forward to receiving soon the compilation of "best
practices" and other project details like the Logical Framework Matrix
(LFM), as agreed in the meeting of the Working Group.
With these remarks, the Group of 77 and China endorses the action recommended
for the Board as contained in document GOV/2010/35 (Vice-Chairman's proposal
on project INT/0/085).
Thank you Mr. Chairman
Agenda item 5: Report of the Programme and Budget Committee
Mr. Chairman,
The Group of G77 and China greatly appreciates the efforts of H.E. Ms. Marjatta Rasi, Chairperson of the Working Group on Financing the Agency's Activities, in carrying out extensive consultations with member states and thanks her for presenting a "package proposal" as contained in document GOV/2010/37. I would also like to thank Mr. Jani Rappana of the Finland Mission in this regard.
The Group believes that the Agency should be provided with the necessary financial resources it needs to fully carry out its mandate.
The Group wishes to reiterate the paramount importance it attaches to the Agency's technical cooperation activities, which, according to the Statute, is the central objective of the Agency.
The Group remains concerned that the balance between the promotional and non-promotional activities of the Agency continues to be ignored and the bulk of the proposed regular budget increases remain directed towards non-promotional activities.
The Group notes that the appropriation proposed for MP-3 is still four times higher than that proposed for MPs 1, 2, and 6 combined. The Group further notes that for the operational regular budget, the single largest increase has still been proposed for 'Nuclear Security'. The Group wishes to reiterate that the sole responsibility for nuclear security rests in the hands of the Member States and that nuclear security, despite being an important Agency activity, is not its statutory function.
The Group welcomes the continuation of the mandate of the Working Group on Financing of Agency's Activities and looks forward to a meaningful discussion with concrete outcomes towards addressing the issue of making the resources of the Technical Cooperation Fund (TCF) Sufficient, Assured, and Predictable (SAP), and its balanced relationship with other components of the regular budget.
The Group notes that the draft decision also mandates the Working Group to discuss the issue of efficiency gains through management reform and improved business practices. The Group would like to stress that any discussion on management reform will be incomplete without addressing staffing issues like: (i) equitable geographical distribution particularly at the senior policy making levels, and (ii) the role and employment of cost-free experts (CFEs) and consultants in the Secretariat.
With these comments, the Group, in the spirit of compromise, goes along with the "package proposal" presented by Ambassador Rasi, as contained in document GOV/2010/37, just adopted by consensus.
I thank you Mr. Chairman.
Joint Statement of the Gruop of 77 and NAM
Agenda Item 11: Any other Business
Assurance of Supply
Mr. Chairman,
I have the honour of delivering this statement jointly on behalf of the Group
of 77 and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).
On the issue of assurance of supply, the two Groups would like to reiterate
their views and concerns expressed in their statements during the June 2009,
November 2009, and March 2010 sessions of the Board on this matter, which, inter
alia, stated that there is a need to address thoroughly the associated technical,
legal and economic aspects, as well as the underlying political dimensions of
this issue, so that any proposal that eventually emerges in this regard is in
full accordance with the Statute and takes into account the respective legal
obligations of Member States, and the principle of non-discrimination.
The Groups reiterate that any further consideration of the issue of nuclear
fuel supply assurances must be based on a coherent and comprehensive conceptual
framework that adequately addresses the views and concerns of all Member States.
The Groups are convinced that further consideration of individual proposals
on this matter must be preceded by consensual agreement by the General Conference
on the conceptual framework that outlines the specific political, technical,
economic and legal parameters. If the Agency is to establish a mechanism for
assurance of nuclear fuel supply, it must first agree on common principles and
objectives which would then apply automatically to all the different proposals.
The Groups recommend once more that, subject to the provisions of the Statute,
any decision on individual proposals be taken by consensus in the General Conference,
to take into account the views and concerns of all Member States.
Considering that there has been no development in addressing the concerns
of the two Groups on this matter, the Groups are of the view that it is still
premature to bring individual proposals before the Board.
The Groups note that detailed and comprehensive discussions on all aspects
pertaining to this issue did not take place before the non-consensual decision
taken at the November 2009 Board meeting to authorize the Director General to
conclude an agreement to establish a reserve of LEU. We hope that such a situation
can be avoided in future.
The Groups are disappointed that their joint proposal to form an open-ended
working group where the concept can be thrashed out in a structured manner before
considering any individual proposals in the Board, was not accepted by some
member states including the proponents of the various proposals.
In view of the above comments, the Groups believe that further transparent
and inclusive deliberations are required to formulate an acceptable framework
for assurances of nuclear fuel supply. The Group of 77 and the Non-Aligned Movement
continue to believe that an open-ended working group is still the best forum
for conducting such consultations, and request the Chairman of the Board to
continue his efforts in this regard.
