Vienna Chapter
The Group of 77 and China commends the Secretariat for the preparation
of document GOV/2000/5 entitled "Nuclear Safety Review for the year
1999" and thanks the Deputy Director General of the Department of
Nuclear Safety for introducing it. The Group welcomes various conventions
and agreements on nuclear, radiation and waste safety which are expected
to contribute to the development of safety culture in the Member States.
In particular, it appreciates the strong commitment expressed by the
Contracting Parties of the Convention on Nuclear Safety in its first
review meeting to the overall objectives of the Convention.
The Group of 77 and China commends the role of IAEA in updating and
expanding the safety standards, and the publication and approval of a
number of Safety Requirements and Safety Guides during the year. The
application of safety standards is primarily a national obligation of the
Member States but could have transnational consequences. Hence, the Agency
should continue to provide all possible assistance in their implementation
in the Member States. The support extended to the developing Member States
by the Technical Cooperation programme in safety related activities, and
the progress, in particular, on the Model Project on upgrading radiation
and waste safety infrastructure, is highly appreciated.
The Group is concerned about further accidents resulting in the
exposure of non-radiation workers to radiation sources left abandoned or
unattended. It indicates that the management of the institutions using
these sources requires further education, specially strict compliance with
the regulations, regarding their safe-keeping or disposal after use.
Similarly, lessons must be learnt from the accident at Tokaimura which
resulted in the exposure of workers and members of the public to high
neutron doses. It underscores the need for the extension of rigorous
safety procedures to nuclear installations of all types.
The Group has always emphasized that exchange of information is most
crucial for the development of safety culture. It is, therefore, happy to
note that the Secretariat has taken cognisance of its recommendation last
year regarding an increase in meetings and training activities. The
organization of four international conferences, one more than the last
year, and 80 national, regional and inter-regional training events, 12
more than the previous year, on various safety related issues is highly
appreciated.
The number of Coordinated Research Projects in the area of safety
remains about the same as the last year. The Group firmly believes that
these should continue at least at the same level in the year 2001 and that
there should be no reduction in the outlay for this activity in the budget
for that year.
The Group would urge the Secretariat to continue its work on the
safety of the small and medium size reactors as well as the safety of
reactors used for the generation of electricity and desalination of sea
water.
The Group of 77 and China is also glad to see a reference in the
document to the inherently safe High Temperature Gas-cooled Reactor
designs. It would encourage the Agency to accelerate work on the safety
aspects of innovative reactor designs, such as the Pebble Bed Modular
Reactor as well as reactors for coupled co-generation. Such an activity is
most essential for the early design and fabrication of prototype systems
which are of importance to the developing countries in view of their
smaller size, in-built safety and economic viability.
As a result of the proposal by G-77 the Secretariat has belatedly
brought out Part 1 of an INF document on Nuclear Technology Review
comprising the subjects of Nuclear Energy and Nuclear Sciences and
Applications. However, the Group would emphasize that it considers these
issues at the same footing as Nuclear Safety and Safeguards. It is,
therefore, recommended that Nuclear Technology Review be given the status
of a full-fledged Board document and discussed as a separate agenda item
in the Board meeting and the General Conference.
With these observations the Group takes note of the Nuclear Safety
Review for the year 1999.
The G-77 and China would like to express its appreciation to the
Director-General Dr. El Baradei on some of the subjects mentioned in the
statement. The G-77 & China welcome the MoU between IAEA and OECD/NEA
as a measure for enhancing efficiency and reducing costs for research and
development activities in which both organizations have a stake. The Group
also appreciates the efforts of the DG in enhancing transparency on the
issue through the briefing by the Secretariat and by raising this issue in
his statement and recognizes his prerogative in arriving at such
understandings. However, the G-77 and China feel that not enough time has
been provided for an in-depth study of the MoU and particularly for
obtaining comments and instructions from our respective capitals. The
Group would therefore like more time to present its response to the
document. While reassured in the briefing by the Secretariat that the
results of all activities would be available to all, the group is still
concerned as to whether the NEA/OECD would address the activities of
importance to our members. The Group notes the need to ensure that the MoU
is implemented faithfully, and in full, and that it does not in any way
dilute the essence of the work of the IAEA which is the sole international
organization with broad membership set up for the promotion of the
peaceful uses of atomic energy. Moreover, in the view of the Group, this
MoU is a very important issue which should be discussed at a future
meeting of the Board before any decision is taken to approve such
cooperation between the IAEA and the NEA/OECD.
As a result of the proposal by G-77 and China the Secretariat has
brought out Part 1 of the INF document "Nuclear Technology Review".
We welcome the initiative of the DG in the regard. Based on an initial
reading of the document GOV/INF/2000/5/Part 1, the Group appreciates the
contents and layout of the document which has clearly brought out the
nuclear picture worldwide and addressed all issues, particularly
sustainable energy management apart from a perspective view to the future.
However, this document could include more scientific input and analytical
review to help policy makers in our capitals to arrive at appropriate
energy mixes for their respective countries. As stated earlier, the Group
recommends that Nuclear Technology Review be given the status of a
full-fledged Board document and discussed as a separate agenda item in the
Board Meeting. The comments could then be forwarded to the General
Conference on an annual basis as is being done in the case of the Nuclear
Safety Review.
The Group would like to extend its appreciation to the
Director-General for his report on "the development of integrated
safeguards". The Group would like to mention that due to the
important elements contained therein which merits careful reflection by
the group, and due to the late issuance of the report, the Group would
therefore wish to comment in detail on the report during the coming June
Board.
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