Vienna Chapter
Madam Chair,
At the outset, allow me to express my Group's appreciation for your
conduction of this Programme and Budget Committee meeting and assure you
of our full support during this session. I would also like to thank Mr.
David Waller for delivering the Director-General's introductory statement
on his behalf.
1. The Group wishes to thank the Secretariat for preparing the Agency's
Accounts for 2004, as contained in document GOV/2005/20. The Group also
wishes to thank the External Auditor for his report on the accounts of the
Agency which is included in the same document. We thank DDG Mr. David
Waller for presenting the document.
2. The Group is pleased to note that the audit examination revealed
no weaknesses or errors on the accuracy, completeness and validity of
financial statements, and that the External Auditor has placed an
unqualified audit opinion on the Agency's financial statements for the
period from 1 January to 31 December 2004.
3. The Group notes that the External Auditor's annual report includes
observations and recommendations intended to contribute to the improvement
of the Agency's performance, financial management and control. The Group
would like to comment on these recommendations as follows:
4. The Group fully supports the External Auditor's recommendation
that the Agency should conclude payment plans with the Member States that
have outstanding contributions in the regular budget fund, as a means to
assist those States in paying their contributions. The Group believes
that, through the proposed payment plans, the concerned Member States will
be encouraged to pay their dues and the Agency will be able to collect
outstanding assessed contributions, a considerable portion of which dates
back to more than a decade.
5. As for the TCF, the Group wishes to emphasize that the Secretariat
should make every effort possible to ensure that Member States are
committed to paying their contributions in a timely and full manner. In
that regard, we request the Secretariat to keep Member States informed of
the progress towards meeting the target for 2005 set by the Board of
Governors. The Group wishes to stress that timely and full payment of
contributions will facilitate the complete implementation of the approved
programmes.
6. As for the harmonization of the TC and Regular Budget Fund cycles,
the Group reiterates its position that they should be synchronized to
ensure compatibility and consistency. That position was part of the "Package
Proposal" approved by the Board in July 2003. As the Board agreed in
its September 2004 session, additional information is needed with a view
to taking a decision on this matter.
7. The Group of 77 and China is of the opinion that paragraph 137 of
the External Auditor's report does not rightly reflect the situation in
the Agency, as it focuses only on TC expenditures borne by the regular
budget. We believe that it fails to recognise the one-house approach, the
balance that must be maintained between all statutory activities and the
fact that TC activities are as important as any others.
8. While, on one hand, we agree that such additional costs are
expenditures related to the use of the expertise of staff members of the
Technical Departments in appraising or implementing TC projects, the Audit
report fails to recognize that the implementation of some major TC
projects funded by the TCF - in particular those related to nuclear
safety, radiation protection or to strengthening Member States regulatory
infrastructure in this field, including safeguards - also contributes to
achieving regular budget programme goals. Although these projects,
regional training courses for example, should have been borne by regular
budget funds, they are not. Therefore, from the minimal regular budget
support spent for these TC projects, the IAEA regular programmes projects
derive many-fold benefits. Both these fundings must be seen as
complementary rather than separate.
9. As regards the Support Cost Mechanism, the Group is not certain
about the utility of such mechanism to charge programme support costs of
TC project planning and implementation, which ultimately aid the
achievement of regular programme goals. If we were to apply the same
logic, then the TC Programme, in turn, would have to charge the regular
budget for projects that help achieve regular budget goals.
Madam Chair,
10. With regard to the NPC's system, the Group shares the view
expressed by the External Auditor in paragraph 161 that "considering
the relatively small amounts per project that were due from all 85 Member
States concerned, it appears questionable whether delaying the start of
the project is the appropriate reaction to the failure to pay NPCs in full".
11. Finally, the G-77 and China supports the External Auditor's
opinion that donor conditions tied to voluntary contributions should not
have a detrimental effect on the execution of the Agency's mandate.
Furthermore, we share his view that restrictions on voluntary
contributions should be consistent with the relevant IAEA's Rules and
should not diminish the organization's integrity, independence and
impartiality. These conditions put forward by some donors should not, in
any way, affect Technical Cooperation.
12. With these remarks, the Group takes note of the Agency's Accounts
and of the External Auditor's report.
1. The Group of 77 and China thanks the Director General for his
Mid-Term Progress Report contained in document GOV/INF/2005/1 and the
Secretariat for all the efforts made to implement all major programmes
during 2004. In general, the Group is satisfied with the impressive
outcomes achieved, as detailed in the document additional to
GOV/INF/2002/5 and also acknowledges the thorough review and assessment
undertaken to ensure that the delivery of outputs under the Agency's
2004-2005 Programme is on track and that necessary adjustments continue to
respond to priorities identified by Member States.
2. The Group is aware of the important activities undertaken by the
Agency to develop Major Programme 1 and will closely follow the
enhancements made to programmes C and D in order to facilitate capacity
building, the maintenance of nuclear knowledge and the development of
nuclear sciences.
3. In regard to Major Programme 2, the G-77 and China is pleased with
the outcome of the activities undertaken in 2004, although it is concerned
about delays and cancellations affecting activities planned under
programmes E and F, due to reliance on extrabudgetary resources which did
not fully materialize and staff recruitment delays.
4. The G-77 and China considers that substantive progress was made in
Major Programme 3, through the development of safety standards and
guidelines and provision of safety services. The Group encourages the
Secretariat to further improve planning and coordination for better
implementation of programmes and action plans as well as to continue
developing consistent methodologies to assist member States in dealing
with nuclear security issues.
5. As for Major Programme 4, the Group notes that verification
activities were carried out as required under safeguards agreements and
additional protocols in force and that some changes were introduced to
programmed activities which the Group expects should lead to savings on
the overall level of this Programme.
6. Regarding Major Programme 5, the Group notes with satisfaction
that the Agency has been proactive in raising public awareness about
global problems and developmental issues related to its work and
encourages the Secretariat to continue enhancing its information support
services within available resources.
7. The Group of 77 and China is encouraged by measures to improve TC
delivery, such as the wider role that the Country Programme Framework
played in project selection for the 2005-2006 cycle and by better
accountability procedures during all stages of TC projects management.
However, the Group, in particular its members from the Asian Region,
regret that Major Programme 6 was also affected by the postponement of
recruitment of senior managers for the Asian region sections viz. West
Asia and East Asia and the Pacific, as well as by the delay of staff
training initiatives, resulting in a reduction in the number of activities
delivered and a decrease in the overall implementation rate of the TC
programme in 2004. While the Group notes the ongoing restructuring of the
TC Department, it requests assurances from the Agency that programme
quality for this region is maintained and that the pace of project
delivery is restored once the restructuring exercise is completed.
Furthermore, the Group strongly urges the Secretariat to allocate, in a
timely manner, adequate financial and human resources to both Major
Programmes 2 and 6, due to their direct impact on the implementation of
the TC Programme.
8. Regarding the recent proposal to modify the TC programme
management framework, the Group is of the opinion that this is not a
re-engineering process, but, rather, the maturing or the evolution of a
successful programme. Therefore, the term "re-engineer" is
perhaps not so accurate. The Group also requests that regional project
formulation be given more attention when modifying the future programme
framework and is of the view that the restructuring process should be
concluded as soon as possible so as to allow the adequate implementation
of the TC Programme.
9. Finally, on Major Programme 7, the G77 and China highly values the
considerable efforts put in place by the Secretariat under Programme U, in
order to provide legal services, apply the results based approach and
participate in the preparation of the Medium Term Strategy 2006 - 2011. In
addition, the Group attaches great importance to measures under Programme
V to simplify, streamline and automate processes in order to increase
transparency, efficiency and effectiveness in the management of financial
and human resources, as well as the provision of administrative and
support services.
10. With these comments, the G77 and China takes note of the Mid-
Term Progress Report and looks forward to the report to be submitted at
the end of the biennial cycle, in 2006.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Madam Chair,
1. The Group of 77 and China wishes to thank the Secretariat for the
preparation of The Agency's Draft Programme and Budget 2006-2007, as
contained in documents GOV/2005/1 and GOV/2005/1/Mod.1. The Group would
also like to thank DDG David Waller for presenting this agenda item.
2. The Group of 77 and China notes with appreciation that the
Secretariat has based the development of the programme and budget on the "package
proposal" adopted in 2003 after extensive and complex negotiations
and that, in general terms, it does not affect the level of real budgetary
growth envisaged then. The Group also notes that, according to the
Secretariat, the proposed programme for 2006-2007 is consistent with the
new MTS.
3. The G-77 and China finds it somehow odd that in paragraph 15,
which relates to CAURBs, a difference is made in terms of the funding of
activities in general and the funding of "some activities related to
Major Programme 4". In the first case, according to the document,
that set of activities should be part of the regular budget programme "if
funding permitted", whereas in the second case, activities should be
funded "if need arises".
4. We note with satisfaction that a new subprogramme in Major
Programme 1 includes the project on nuclear desalination and a project on
hydrogen production, which are of great importance for members of our
Group. In MP 2, the Group is appreciative of the continuation of work in
key areas identified by the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development
(WSSD) and of the furtherance of the Millennium Development Goals.
Furthermore, we note with satisfaction the intention to increase support
for the Programme of Action for Cancer Therapy (PACT). We also notice the
shift in the programme on human health and hope this will translate in
even better results. The Group takes note of the new projects on "Sterile
insect technique" and encourages the Secretariat to develop research
activities in this field.
5. The G-77 and China notices that direct reference to the Agency's
statutory mandate is included in the text on MP 4: Nuclear Verification
and wishes to express the view that similar language should also be used
when referring to other statutory activities concerning the Agency's
promotional role, including, in particular, Technical Cooperation.
6. As for the reference to integrated safeguards, contained in
paragraph 64, as a major instrument for achieving greater efficiency, the
Group is interested in knowing more about the current stage of its
implementation, the results achieved and the savings obtained by the
Agency.
7. In light of the assertion in paragraph 66 that "a number of
activities will continue to have a significant impact on resources",
the Group is of the view that, after the substantial budget increases
approved in 2003, the Agency should programme and implement such
activities within the budgetary levels agreed for MP 4 in 2003.
8. In what relates to MP6: Management of Technical Cooperation for
Development, the Group stresses the importance of North-South Cooperation
for developing countries, in addition to South-South cooperation. We
expect that the pursuit of self-reliance will not result in fewer
resources being allocated to the Agency's TC Programme. In that respect,
the G-77 and China shares the opinion expressed in paragraph 82 that it is
necessary "to ensure that adequate resources, both human and
financial, are available to respond to Member State needs".
9. The Group of 77 and China would like these comments to be
reflected in the final programme and budget proposals for 2006-2007.
Thank you, Madam Chairperson.
Madam Chair,
1. The Group of 77 and China wishes to express its appreciation to
the Secretariat for preparing and presenting the document "Use of
Equipment Replacement Fund 2005 and establishment of Equipment Replacement
Fund 2009", as contained in GOV/2005/22.
2. Bearing in mind that the objectives of the Document are to obtain
Board approval for: (a) the use for the Equipment Replacement Fund 2005
(ERF 2005), and (b) the establishment and funding for the next Equipment
Replacement Fund (ERF 2009) covering a period of four years (2006-2009),
the Group wishes to make the following comments:
3. The Group recognizes that "the increasing dependency of the
Agency's programmes on information and communication technology (ICT)
services for effective and efficient delivery of their activities has
increased the necessity of acquiring and updating the ICT infrastructure
and services in a timely and cost effective manner".
4. The Group notes that the proposed ERF 2009 differs from the ERF
2005 in three aspects: amount increased to Euro 4.8 million every four
years instead of $ 2 million every five years; flexibility in utilizing
the ERF by adopting best practices; and, finally, the proposal to carry
over unused funds at the end of each biennium from any major programmes.
5. With regard to the level of Euro 4.8 million proposed for the ERF
2009, to be financed from any major programmes through savings and unused
funds, the Group considers that these resources should first be used to
implement CAURBs in each MP before being diverted to the ERF. The Group
expresses concern about how the funding will affect the balance between
promotional and other statutory activities of the Agency, particularly in
relation to MPs 2 and 6, which rely heavily on extrabudgetary funds and
whose CAURBs cannot be fully financed. Furthermore, the Group believes
that technical and legal difficulties might arise, since the financial
rules that are applied to the Regular Budget funds would also have to be
applied to extrabudgetary funds, if the two are combined.
6. With these comments, the Group of 77 and China supports the
recommendation that the Board approve the use of the ERF 2005, as
specified in paragraphs 4 and 6 of document GOV/2005/22.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
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