Statements of the G-77 and China at the IAEA Technical
Assistance and Cooperation Committee (TACC), 23-24/11/1998 delivered by H.E.
Ambassador N. Mxakato-Diseko, Permanent Representative of South Africa
Agenda Item 2: Technical Cooperation: The Agency's proposed
programme for 1999-2000
Mr. Chairman,
The Group of 77 and China commends the Technical Cooperation Department
for the comprehensive document GOV/1998/59, GOV/1998/59/Add.1,
GOV/INF/1998/19 and GOV/INF/1998/20 on various aspects of the Agency's
Technical Cooperation Programme. The members of the Group have studied and
discussed these documents in detail as they consider the Technical
Cooperation Programme to be of great importance to the developing
countries.
The resolution GC(42)/RES/15 provides the basic framework for the
Technical Cooperation Programme. In this context the Group feels that
nuclear power is not given adequate priority in the programme. The
percentage allocation to this area has, in fact, decreased as compared to
the previous years. Another area of considerable interest to the Group,
i.e. nuclear desalination of water, also requires greater emphasis. It is,
therefore, hoped that the relevant projects would be upgraded to core
financing in the future.
With regard to the document GOV/INF/1998/20 on training course
programme, the Group noted that the number of courses offered for the year
1999 are much fewer than those approved in the last TACC as contained in
GOV/INF/825. The Group is in consonance with the Agency's view to
harmonize different training programmes, but wishes to reiterate to the
Secretariat that inter-regional and regional courses are also relevant to
thematic planning and other general topics responding to the needs and
interest of developing countries. Further, in view of the decrease in the
number of courses, the Group urges an increase in participant numbers to
adequately meet the requirements of developing Member States. The Group
also notes with concern the reduction in the projects directed at
infrastructure building. G-77 and China had reluctantly agreed to the
nominal increase in the TCF by US$ 1.5 million for the year 1999 and no
further increase for the year 2000, in the hope that there would be an
increase in real terms in contributions by the Member States thus
fulfilling their commitments. The group is, therefore, grateful to those
Member States which have been continually meeting their obligations and
also those States which have started contributing again or have pledged
afresh. The members of the G-77 would also fulfill their responsibilities
and there has already been a record collection of assessed programme
costs. The Group is, however, concerned that the Technical Cooperation
Programme could face difficulties in long term planning since the IPFs
could only be decided for the coming biennium and the expectations of
having predictable estimates for two cycles did not materialize. Thank
you.
Agenda Item 3: Technical Cooperation Evaluation
Mr. Chairman, The Group thanks the Technical Cooperation Department for
the detailed document GOV/INV/1998/21 and appreciates the earlier
preparation of the blue book entitled "Planning and designing IAEA
technical cooperation projects". The Group considers the exercise
conducted by the Evaluation Section on the design review of project
requests as very useful since it was able to identify the shortcomings in
the project proposals. The participation of National Liaison Officers from
selected Member States in a scheme for introducing participatory
monitoring and evaluation of TC projects was, therefore, an important
step. The Group encourages the TC Department to continue on a regular
basis the activities of the design review panel and the meetings of
National Liaison Officers and, in particular, to further increase the role
played by the programming and implementation arm. A continuous process of
efficient and effective evaluation during the execution of the projects is
also desirable. The Group considers the policy of "tiered" or
phased funding in line with the concept of "partners in development".
This approach, and the selected focus for each cycle which would result in
improvement in the achievement of goals, is, therefore, endorsed. Thank
you, Mr. Chairman.
B. IAEA Board of Governors 25-26 November 1998
Agenda Item 5: Criteria or guidelines for the consideration
of requests for the restoration of voting rights
Mr. Chairman, The Group of 77 and China thanks Ambassador Ikeda,
assisted by the Secretariat, for elaborating document GOV/1998/54/Rev.1,
which will help to resolve in the medium term, the problem of the
restoration of voting rights, thus contributing to a better
representativity in the decision making process in the Agency. The Group
reiterates the importance it attaches to the payment of contributions in
local currency, as per prevalent practice, by the LDCs and the payment
schedule in favour of countries in critical situation. In this connection
the root-cause of the problem of non-payment of assessed contributions by
Member States, and the recovery of arrears, should be addressed in a
realistic and concrete manner. Nevertheless, the Group is also of the view
that, while facilitating the payment of arrears, Member States should
recognize the importance of fulfilling their financial obligations. Thank
you Mr. Chairman.
Agenda Item 4: SAFEGUARDS
4c:The Proliferation Potential of Neptunium and Americium
Mr. Chairman,
The Group of 77 and China notes the report by the Director-General on
the proliferation potential of neptunium and americium as contained in
document GOV/1998/61. This is a complex issue, and the Members of the
Group have referred the matter to their capitals for consideration by
their experts. The Group would like to propose that this item be taken up,
when safeguards items will be considered in depth, at which time a
decision on appropriate action can be taken by the Board. Thank you very
much.
