Vienna Chapter
The Group of 77 and China would like to thank the Director-General Mr. El
Baradei for his introductory statement. The Group would like to take this
opportunity to express its deep sense of grief on the sad demise of H.E.
Ambassador Tirivafi John Kangai, PR of Zimbabwe and wishes to convey its
sympathy to the bereaved family.
Mr. Chairman,
The Group thanks the Deputy Directors General Mr. D. Waller and Ms.
A.M. Cetto, for introducing this Agenda Item. The Group of 77 and China
would like to commend the Secretariat for the preparation of document
GOV/2004/16, which contains the Agency's Accounts for 2003 and the
External Auditor's report thereon.
The Group notes that the External Auditor has placed an unqualified
audit opinion on the Agency's financial statements for 2003.
The G-77 and China notes also that the External Auditor's report
includes observations and recommendations intended to contribute to the
improvement of the Agency's financial management and control in two main
areas: Technical Cooperation Project Management and the impact of external
audit reports and recommendations. The G-77 has carefully reviewed the
full scope of recommendations placed under these areas and wishes to
emphasize the following points:
1 - On the Technical Cooperation Project Management, the Group
supports the External Auditor's recommendation, mentioned in paragraph 7,
that the Agency should consider harmonizing the technical co-operation and
regular budget programme cycles as soon as possible. The Group believes
that this would further improve the issue of non-alignment between the TCP
cycle and that of the Agency after the introduction of biennial
programming in 2001. In this context, the G-77 and China looks forward to
the Secretariat´s report on this matter to be submitted to the June
Board. As we recall, that report is one of the elements contained in the
package on the programme and budget approved by the Board last year.
The Group also supports the recommendation contained in paragraph 12,
that the Agency continue to strengthen project management, including
monitoring against time-related outcomes and targets, to provide Member
States with assurance over progress on the preset work plans. The G-77 and
China also agrees that robust budgets and timescales, effectively
monitored to ensure early corrective action when appropriate, are
necessary to support good project management.
The Group of 77 and China commends the Agency's efforts in the field
of SIT in Africa. As for the External Auditor's observations on the
Sterile Insect Techniques (SIT) for tsetse, the Group seeks clarification
as to why the Agency had extended its activities far beyond its usual
mandate of support for nuclear technology-based programmes, funding
refurbishment of insect breeding facilities, trials of aerosol spraying
technique and the collection of baseline information on tsetse
infestation.
The Group notes the type of review mentioned in paragraph 83, and
encourages the Agency to consider whether there is any scope to reduce
procurement costs through more local procurement of items, rather than the
transfer of equipment through airfreight services. The Group agrees that
the latter may not always be justified by the urgency of the requirement
and may nevertheless involve significant cost. In considering local
procurement of imported equipment, after sales service and maintenance
should be assured and that local expertise should be available to perform
these services.
2 - On the impact of external audit reports and recommendations, the
G-77 and China expresses its satisfaction at the conclusion, mentioned in
paragraph 24, that the Director-General and the Secretariat have
consistently provided a positive response to external audit
recommendations and advice, accepting and working to implement audit
recommendations wherever possible. We believe that, in doing so, the
Agency is contributing to the improvement of its work.
As far as last year's recommendations are concerned, the G-77 is glad
to note that the Agency is developing procedures to record project start
and completion dates, as supported by the Group in its 2003 statement. The
Group is also pleased to note that the Agency will maintain its
development of performance indicators.
As a final comment, Mr. Chairman, the G-77 and China wishes to
commend the External Auditor and his staff for the efficient work done
over the past eight years and express the hope that, by performing his
duties, the new External Auditor will contribute to the continued
improvement of the Agency´s work.
With these comments, the Group of 77 and China takes note of document
GOV/2004/16.
Thank you Mr. Chairman.
Mr Chairman,
1. The Group of 77 and China has carefully reviewed the programme
Performance Report for the period 2002-2003, as contained in document
GOV/2004/22. The Group appreciates the usefulness and comprehensive
approach concerning the delivered outputs, the utilised resources and the
lessons learned during the biennium 2002-2003. The Group would like to
thank the DDG Mr. Waller, for presenting the document and the Secretariat
for its preparation.
2. The Group notes with satisfaction that many projects have been
concluded in different Major Programmes. We are also glad to take note of
the rational use of the available financial resources, as stated in
document GOV/2004/16. The Group is of the view that this positive
performance is also facilitated by the collective efforts of Member States
in increasing the regular budget from US$ 214,1 millions in 2002 to US$
254,8 millions in 2003. The extra budgetary resources have followed the
same trend, increasing from US$ 34,7 millions in 2002 to US$ 39,4 millions
in 2003.
3. In Major Programme 1, the Group is pleased to learn that 14
different research teams in seven Member States are applying the INPRO
User Requirements in national or individual case studies for the
validation of the methodology developed by the Agency with substantial
extra-budgetary contributions. The Group also notes with satisfaction that
the use of the Agency's analytical assessment and specialised policy
analysis tools related to sustainable energy development increased during
the 2002-2003 cycle. The Group underlines the fact that the Agency has
provided useful assistance to the benefit of many countries, including
developing countries, which allowed them to improve safe management of
spent fuel. In the field of nuclear knowledge management, we commend the
Agency's valuable efforts to make available surveys and studies in the
area of nuclear education and for its participation in the setting up of
the Nuclear World University, since last September.
4. Concerning Major Programme 2, relating to nuclear techniques for
development and environmental protection, the Group underscores the
positive outcomes in the areas of food and agriculture, human health,
water resources and environment. However the Group is of the view that the
Secretariat should make further efforts in these strategic sectors in
order to better respond to the growing needs, in terms of technical
assistance, expertise, training and efficiency in projects implementation
in the G77 and China membership.
5. As far as Major Programme 3 "Nuclear Safety and Protection
against Radiation", is concerned, the Group notes with satisfaction
that recommendations and suggestions made by the operational safety
(OSART) and regulatory review (IRRT) missions were accepted and dealt with
by Member States during the considered period. Combined with the
organisation of regional and national training sessions and seminars,
theses efforts helped to improve skills and qualifications of staff in
both regulatory and operating organisations.
6. The Group commends also the efforts of the Agency in the areas of
radiation safety and the management of radioactive waste.
7. Concerning Major Programme 6: Management of Technical Cooperation
for Development, the Group appreciates the progress achieved in
establishing better linkage between TC Programme and national development
plans in Member States.
8. The Group appreciates the efforts of all donors and at the same
time shares the view of the Secretariat that delays in the receipt of
extra-budgetary resources to the TC programme, as well as their specific
conditions could affect the implementation of projects. The Group hopes
that the financial shortfalls experienced in the TCF in 2003 will not
occur again. In case this happens the Group expects that an early warning
will be set up.
9. For this reason, the Group is fully convinced that only assured,
adequate and predictable funding would allow a medium and a long term
programming of technical co-operation. In order to strengthen the
financial resources in the benefit of recipient Member States, the Group
encourages the Secretariat to consolidate further its cooperation with
existing partners and other institutions and agencies dealing with
international cooperation.
10. Furthermore, the Group shares the recommendation of the
Secretariat for reaching a better coherence between the objectives in the
Medium Term Strategy and those in the Programme and Budget, as well as the
enhancement of the feed back from the recipient Member States.
Mr. Chairman,
1. The Group of 77 and China would like to commend the Secretariat
for the preparation of the document GOV/2004/10, presented by DDG D.
Waller, which contains the Agency's Draft Budget Update for 2005.
2. The present document highlights changes to the original biennial
programme and budget proposals and introduces the price adjustment which
is an average of 3.1% for the second year of the biennium (2005).
3. As the Group attaches high importance to Major Programme 6 related
to the management of technical cooperation for development, it is hoped
that the Secretariat's review of the needs in this major programme, which
was requested to be presented to the Board of Governors as contained in
the document GOV/2003/48 is proceeding well. The Group looks forward to
being fully informed on this important matter in due course of time.
4. However, with respect to the price adjustments it is noted that
the principal cost elements are staff costs especially the Common Staff
Costs which faced an exceptional increase of US$3.3 million in 2003 due to
an increased number of retirements and separations. Among other items of
expenditure, it is noted that non-staff travel at 5.8%, interpretation
services at 7.7% and external training of professionals at 5.5% have
registered substantial increases.
5. The Group is pleased to note that the Business Continuity Plan of
the Agency will be synchronized with the Vienna Crisis Management Plan - a
VIC-wide management plan and additional funding requirement will be
covered through Programme savings.
6. With these comments the Group recommends the Board to submit the
Agency's budget estimates for the year 2005 as contained in document
GOV/2004/10 to the General Conference.
Thank you Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Chairman,
1. The Group of 77 and China appreciates the Secretariat's efforts
for preparing document GOV/2004/23 which identifies strategic issues and
changes that might be proposed to the existing programme in terms of both
content and structure.
2. The Group wishes to emphasize that the strategic directions and
measures for the preparation of the 2006-2007 programme and budget must be
based on the package, contained in document GOV/2003/48 approved by the
Board of Governors on 18 July 2003.
3. In this context the Group recalls that the Medium Term Strategy
2006-2011 will be jointly prepared by the Member States and the
Secretariat and that this process is presently progressing in the
framework of the Working Group on the Medium Term Strategy 2006-2011
conducted by H.E. Ambassador Javier Paulinich, P.R of Peru.
4. The Group takes note of document GOV/2004/23 as preliminary
guidance to the Secretariat for planning purposes for the 2006-2007
programme and budget and emphasizes that in preparing such document there
should be close consultation with Member States. The Group reserves its
right to reconsider the above mentioned document as well as to provide
further strategic guidance.
5. Regarding the additional resources requirements mentioned in
section J.3 of document GOV/2004/23, the Group of 77 and China emphasizes
the importance of keeping the budget at the levels indicated in the
package approved last year.
Mr. Chairman,
1. The Group would like to thank the Secretariat for the information
which Member States received on the enhanced security arrangements to
enable the VIC-based Organizations to comply with the Headquarter's
Minimum Operating Security Standards (H-MOSS) being proposed by UN
Headquarters in New York.
2. The Group would like to stress that the recommendations for
enhanced security should be adopted after close consultations with Member
States, and with due respect to the diplomatic privileges and immunities
of Vienna-based diplomats, as well as with the priciple of
cost-efficiency.
3. Moreover, the Group notes that according to the Agency's Draft
Budget Update for 2005, the Agency's share of the costs would amount to
over 52% of the total of US $8.4 million and according to a later Agency
document GOV/INF/2004/4, it will be 53% of the total cost of US$ 13.2
million. The Group is also of the view that additional financial burdens
as a result of these measures should not be imposed on Member States
beyond their capacity to pay for them. The Group therefore welcomes
further consultations between the Secretariat and Member States on how
these additional financial requirements can be apportioned in future
budget proposals of the Secretariat.
Thank you Mr. Chairman.
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