Group of 77 and China Statement for the IAEA March Board, starting on 5 March 2018 delivered by H.E Ambassador Reza Najafi, Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Agenda Item 2: Strengthening the Agency’s activities related to nuclear, radiation, transport and waste safety (a) Nuclear Safety Review 2018
Mr. Chairman,
1. The Group expresses its gratitude to the Secretariat for preparing the Nuclear Safety Review 2018, as contained in document GOV/2018/4. The Group thanks the Director General for his introductory statement, as well as Deputy Director General Juan Carlos Lentijo for his remarks and for the technical briefing offered to Member States on 12 February 2018.
2. I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China under this agenda item.
Mr. Chairman,
3. The Group highlights that the Agency has an essential and central role in coordinating international efforts, and in providing expertise and advice to promote and strengthen nuclear safety globally. In this regard, the Group is pleased to note that the global nuclear community continued to make progress in improving nuclear safety in 2017.
4. The Group recalls the adoption, in February 2015, of the "Vienna Declaration on Nuclear Safety", which aims to strengthen nuclear safety worldwide through agreed principles to guide the Contracting Parties, as appropriate, in the implementation of the objective of the Convention on Nuclear Safety (CNS) to prevent accidents with radiological consequences and mitigate such consequences should they occur. In this regard, the Group notes that one of the priorities of the Agency is to assist Member States in the implementation of the principles of the Vienna Declaration.
5. The Group notes that the issuance of the Safety Requirements publication entitled “Safety of Nuclear Fuel Cycle Facilities” completes the work to revise the Safety Requirements publications to take into account lessons learned from the Fukushima Daiichi accident.
6. The Group welcomes the publishing of three Safety Guides in 2017 after endorsement by the Commission on Safety Standards (CSS). The Group also notes that several Safety Guides are being revised or newly prepared and reaffirms its support to the work of the CSS.
7. The Group appreciates the work undertaken by the Informal Open-Ended Working Group under the Chairmanship of Ambassador Rafael Grossi of Argentina and notes the approval of the Guidance on the Management of Disused Radioactive sources, supplementary to the Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources
8. The Group notes that number of Member States expressing an interest in small and medium sized or modular reactor (SMRs) has increased over the past few years, and also notes that the Agency concluded a study on the application of the design-related safety requirements to SMR designs intended for near term deployment. The Group requests the Secretariat to circulate the report of the study.
9. On the improvement of radiation, transport and waste safety, the Group is pleased with the Agency’s contribution in response to Member States’ growing demands of assistance in the areas of radiation protection, control of radioactive sources, and oversight of transporting radioactive material, waste management, capacity building and regulatory effectiveness. The Group also welcomes the Agency’s assistance provided to Member States in establishing and strengthening regulatory and technical frameworks, as well as in developing decommissioning strategies and plans. The Group encourages the Agency to continue to provide such assistance to Member States, upon request, focusing on those areas which can contribute effectively towards sustainable capacity building.
10. The Group appreciates the activities organized by the Agency in providing peer review and advisory services to Member States, upon request, to review safety of nuclear installations, research reactors, fuel cycle facilities as well as regulatory effectiveness, infrastructure development programmes, and ageing management, among others. The Group welcomes the Agency’s intention to continue to assist Member States in further strengthening their national regulatory infrastructures for nuclear and radiation safety through the provision of peer reviews and advisory services. The Group notes that a Technical Meeting was held in 2017 to assess the overall structure, effectiveness and efficiency of the peer review and advisory services in the areas of Nuclear Safety and Security, and encourages the Secretariat to continue organizing such meeting in the future. The Group appreciates the regular organization by the Agency of national, regional, and international workshops and training courses for Member States on all relevant issues.
11. Concerning the issue of embarking countries, the Group recognizes that around 30 Member States, many of which are members of the Group, are at different stages of initiating new nuclear power programmes. With regard to ongoing challenges to the introduction of nuclear power in embarking Member States, the Group is pleased to note that, as in previous years, the Agency has continued to provide assistance to these countries in fields such as the development of national nuclear safety regulations, the establishment of a management system at the regulatory body, and the preparation of a national plan for human resource development.
12. The Group would also like to encourage the Agency to continue providing support for the establishment, development and improvement of appropriate safety infrastructure in Member States planning to use nuclear technology for non-power applications.
13. The Group wishes to emphasize that the development of human resources and up-scaling their knowledge and capabilities are key to the establishment, safety and sustainability of any nuclear program. Therefore, it is essential that the IAEA continues to provide assistance, upon request, to developing countries in the fields of knowledge sharing, exchange of information, collaboration platforms, nuclear knowledge management and capacity building programmes, including education and training in nuclear, radiation, transport, waste safety, in addition to Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR), as well as in the development of their expertise in the relevant technical areas.
14. The Group highlights the importance it attaches to the development of a safety culture. In this regard, the Group notes that an increasing number of Member States are requesting assistance in further developing their leadership and management programmes for safety and continuous improvement, including safety culture assessments and that the Agency will assist Member States in their efforts to develop, foster and sustain safety culture.
15. On the Radiation Protection of Patients, Workers and the Public, the Group notes that the Agency will assist Member States in their efforts to justify the medical exposure of patients through the use of clinical guidelines and to optimize the radiation protection of patients as well as occupational protection and health workers from the use of radiation in medicine. The Group also notes that the Agency will convert existing training packages for occupational radiation protection during high exposure operations, worker protection in NORM industries and occupational radiation protection into e-learning material.
Mr. Chairman,
16. The Group notes that Member States have shown a greater interest in, and made increased use of, the Global Nuclear Safety and Security Network. The Group reiterates that knowledge networks should always remain a core component of the nuclear safety capacity building initiatives with the support of the Agency. The Group appreciates the Agency’s continued support to regional networks, which include the Arab Network of Nuclear Regulators, the Asian Nuclear Safety Network, the Forum of Nuclear Regulatory Bodies in Africa, and the Ibero-American Forum of Radiological and Nuclear Regulatory Agencies, as well as to thematic networks such as the Small Modular Reactor Regulator’s Forum.
Mr. Chairman,
17. As stated in the IAEA 2011 Action Plan on Nuclear Safety, the responsibility for ensuring the application of the highest standards of nuclear safety and for providing a timely, transparent and adequate response to nuclear emergencies lies with each Member State and operating organization. Vendors of nuclear technologies also have a responsibility to ensure that users have access to all information and resources necessary for safe operation. As stated in the Action Plan, its success in strengthening nuclear safety rests on the full cooperation and participation of Member States and relevant stakeholders. The Group calls upon the Secretariat to maintain its facilitating role in this regard. Although all of the planned activities under the IAEA Action Plan on Nuclear Safety were completed in 2015, the Group expresses its support for the Agency’s work in continuing to build upon the Action Plan and Member States’ experience in its implementation, as well as the IAEA Report on the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident, and the principles in the Vienna Declaration and use them for defining its nuclear safety strategy and programme of work. The Group requests the Secretariat to report periodically to the Board of Governors, in accordance with section 1 of Resolution GC(61)/RES/8.
18. With regard to the issue of emergency preparedness and response, the Group notes with satisfaction the Agency’s contribution in strengthening national and regional EPR, as well as promoting effective public communication in an emergency. The Group also supports the introduction of enhanced functionalities for the Agency’s Unified System for Information Exchange in Incidents and Emergencies (USIE) in 2016 and the significant participation in ConvEx exercises, and in particular ConvEx-3 conducted in 2017. Despite the meaningful work done by the Agency in this field, the Group notes that many challenges remain and looks forward to the IAEA USIE website with improved communication functions. The Group encourages the continued cooperation and coordination between the Secretariat and interested Member States to overcome these challenges, thereby strengthening the capabilities of Member States in emergency preparedness and response.
19. The Group encourages the Agency to continue supporting the participation of experts from developing countries in the Safety Standards Committees and the Nuclear Security Guidance Committee, as well as the Interface Group.
Mr. Chairman,
20. With these remarks, the Group takes note of the Nuclear Safety Review 2018, as contained in document GOV/2018/4.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Agenda item 3: Strengthening the Agency’s activities related to nuclear science, technology and applications: Nuclear Technology Review 2018
Mr. Chairman,
1. The Group of 77 and China would like to express its appreciation to the Secretariat for preparing the Nuclear Technology Review 2018, contained in document GOV/2018/2. The Group also wishes to thank DDG Mr. Aldo Malavasi and DDG Mr. Mikhail Chudakov for introducing this agenda item and for the technical briefing provided to delegations on 12 February 2018.
Mr. Chairman,
2. The Group of 77 and China notes that the Nuclear Technology Review (NTR) provides an update on the progress achieved in nuclear power and nuclear applications during the reporting period, including the developments in food and agriculture, human and animal health, and environment. The Group encourages the Secretariat to continue in future reports, its updates, in particular, on nuclear applications and their potential role in the socio-economic development of Member States.
- The year 2017 witnessed many developments in these areas. In this regard, the Group would like to make the following comments:
3. The work done by the Agency in nuclear power and nuclear applications highlights the need to increase the transfer of nuclear technology and the sharing of nuclear knowledge, expertise and lessons learned to developing countries, including new comer countries, to enhance their capabilities and thus contribute to maximize the benefit of peaceful uses of nuclear energy. The Group urges the Agency to continue to provide training and education, to support national laboratories and to further enhance coordinated research activities. The Group also welcomes the contributions made by Member States to various Agency projects, and encourages all Member States in a position to do so, to continue providing such support through the Agency.
4. The Group notes the findings of the Agency and other relevant international organizations that highlights the need for increased use of nuclear power to hold the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, and notes that the advantages of nuclear power in climate change mitigation, as well as energy security and non-climatic environmental and socio-economic benefits, are important reasons why many countries, particularly developing countries, intend to introduce nuclear power in the coming decades, or to expand existing programmes. In this context, the Group requests the Secretariat to provide further detailed data regarding the nuclear power contribution in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in its future NTRs and encourages the Agency to enhance its support to developing countries.
5. The Group has always appreciated the importance of convening regular Ministerial Conferences on Agency’s promotional activities. In this context, the Group notes the convening of the Agency’s International Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Power in the 21st Century that was hosted by the Government of UAE and appreciates its outcome, which highlighted that substantial nuclear power growth was needed for the world to meet its sustainable development and climate goals.
6. The Group urges the Agency to continue to assist interested Member States to analyse energy options and to support their capabilities to introduce nuclear power, while maintaining its leading role in the promotion of the transfer and development of technology and knowledge related to peaceful nuclear applications, including nuclear power and the nuclear fuel cycle. The Agency’s Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) missions and related missions provide a useful service in extending this type of cooperation to Member States.
7. The Group reiterates its expression of interest in the work of various technical working groups under the auspices of the Agency in the development of nuclear technology and in the dissemination of knowledge to Member States, inter alia, through Coordinated Research Projects and requests the Secretariat to continue its support.
8. The Group takes note of developments relating to the issue of assurance of supply including the inauguration of the IAEA LEU Storage Facility in August 2017 and reiterates once again its views and concerns expressed on this matter in its statements during the previous sessions of the Board, from 2009 onwards, which, inter alia, stated that any arrangement for assurance of supply shall be in full accordance with the Statute and take into account the respective legal obligations of Member States, as well as the principle of non-discrimination, whereby the inalienable right of Member States to nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, including national nuclear fuel cycles, is duly respected.
Mr. Chairman,
9. Accelerators and research reactors continue to play an important role in building strong basic capabilities in the nuclear field, and in supporting related education, training and research activities in Member States. The Group appreciates the support provided by the Secretariat in its coordination of projects supporting research, hands-on training and experimental work in the field of accelerators, and encourages it to continue to provide such support, especially by making use of built-in capacity in many developing countries.
10. The Group notes the progress achieved in the Synchrotron Light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East (SESAME) emitting its first light early this year. This state of the art center for modern technology will help strengthening scientific research and advanced technology. It is a major scientific and technological addition to research and education. In this regard, the Group welcomes its introduction, as a showcase in the International Conference on Technical Cooperation, held in May 2017.
11. The Group highlights the importance of research reactors to interested Member States and their utilization for research and various applications, including education, training, research and isotope production, and calls for enhanced international cooperation to maximize their efficient use while noting that the efforts in this direction continue to grow. The Group urges the Agency to assist interested Member States in addressing issues related to ageing management and underutilization of research reactors, and to assist interested Member States building or planning to build new ones. The Group welcomes the continued international collaboration, supported by the IAEA, to promote and enhance the utilization of research reactors for nuclear capacity building, including education and training, among other areas, and the designation of two International Centres based on Research Reactor (ICERR) in 2017. The Group encourages the Agency to continue its work of facilitation of regional networks and coalitions to help foster international cooperation and enable research reactors to expand their stakeholder and user communities.
12. The Group notes that the brief outages at some global molybdenum-99 target irradiation facilities in 2017 did not result in supply shortages. However, the Group requests the Secretariat to remain vigilant on this important issue, with a view to ensuring the sustainability of radioisotope supplies, including through the enhancement of the utilization of existing reactors in developing countries.
13. On Radioisotope Production, the Group takes note of the limited availability of some Radioisotopes, particularly in developing countries. In this regard, the Group encourages the Secretariat to address the challenges of producing Radioisotopes and explore ways to face these challenges and looks forward to the Technical Meeting in 2018, which was announced by the Secretariat during the briefing conducted on 12 February.
Mr. Chairman,
14. The Group attaches great importance to the significant contributions that nuclear technologies can make towards the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals, their role in food security and safety; nutrition and human health, including disease prevention and control; animal health and production; environmental protection; water resource management; as well as in the use of radioisotopes and radiation. These are the areas where nuclear and isotopic techniques are beneficial in supporting sustainable socio-economic development in many countries. The Group reaffirms that the Agency has a leading role to play in the promotion of these techniques among interested Member States, and encourages it to continue to provide its valuable support, including further promoting active roles of developing countries in contributing towards the development of equipment and techniques that can meet the needs of many Member States.
15. The Group notes that the report is not addressing Agency’s contribution in developing or utilizing Nuclear Techniques in the area of water resources management and requests the Secretariat to include relevant developments in future Nuclear Technology Review Reports given the vital importance of this area.
16. The Group attaches great value to the role of the Agency’s Nuclear Applications laboratories at Seibersdorf, which have assisted Member States in enhancing their access to the peaceful uses of nuclear technologies since 1962, and welcomes the inauguration of the new Insect Pest Control Laboratory in 2017. The Group calls on all Member States, in a position to do so, to provide the appropriate support for renovation and upgrading of the Seibersdorf Laboratories through the ReNuAL project.
Mr. Chairman,
17. The Group values the Agency's assistance to Member States, especially to developing countries, in the field of medical and industrial applications. The Group is appreciative of the Agency’s contribution to improving the overall cancer management worldwide, including, the diagnosis, treatment and control of cancer through, inter alia, the development and application of nuclear techniques. The Group notes that these nuclear techniques play an important role in fighting the global cancer epidemic.
18. In this regard, the Group welcomes the IAEA commemoration of the World Cancer Day which focused on the ways that nuclear techniques can support the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer. Concerning radiotherapy, and mindful of the huge cancer burden, as well as the change of equity of access to cancer treatment, the Group welcomes the report that clinical trials indicate that stereotactic radiotherapy may emerge as a cost-effective treatment compared to conventional therapy in many clinical settings. The Group urges the Agency to continue its instrumental role in pursuing and publicizing further research and development in this area.
Mr. Chairman,
19. On Food & Agriculture, the Group notes that the Agency in collaboration with Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has developed DSS4NAFA, a comprehensive cloud-based tool to guide Agency and FAO Member States in their response during a nuclear emergency affecting food and agriculture. In this regard, the Group is looking forward to the availability of the beta version of this tool in 2018.
20. The Group also notes with interest that current developments in research on the irradiation of pathogens are demonstrating the potential to produce new vaccines against many disease-causing viruses, parasites and bacteria that can have a significant positive effect on animal and human health and economies in developing countries. In this context, the Group encourages the Agency to continue providing its expertise and support to these researches.
Mr. Chairman,
21. The Group also welcomes the work undertaken by the Agency in environmental protection, specifically with regards to ongoing researches on Nuclear Techniques in Marine Plastic Research to address the fate and toxicity of micro-plastics and associated contaminants in marine organisms. The Group encourages the IAEA to continue its work in this regard.
22. With these remarks, the Group of 77 and China takes note of the Nuclear Technology Review 2018, as contained in document GOV/2018/2.
