Vienna Chapter
Madam Chair,
The Group of 77 and China would like to express its appreciation to
the Director General for his comprehensive introductory statement and also
to thank the Secretariat for the preparation of the documents to be
considered at this session of the Board of Governors.
Madam Chair,
The Group of 77 and China would like to thank the Secretariat for the
preparation of the Agency's Report contained in document GOV/2005/49. The
Group also wishes to thank DDG Taniguchi for presenting this agenda item.
The Group would like to commend the International Atomic Energy
Agency for organising various international meetings to exchange
information on the subject of radiation protection of the environment. The
Group takes note of the draft "Plan of Activities on the Radiation
Protection of the Environment" that was tabled at the Stockholm
Conference on the Protection of the Environment from the Effects of
Ionising Radiation, held in October 2003.
The Group of 77 and China calls on Members States to work together
with the Agency in a co-operative spirit to discuss the many
responsibilities associated with environmental radiation protection.
Member States should work more closely together to review their radiation
safety standards. The Group notes that the principal aim of the Plan of
Activities is to design an effective programme that can develop an
approach for the assessment and management of radionuclides entering the
environment or present in it. The Group appreciates the fact that the
Agency can provide assistance to developing Member States in their
collective efforts to protect the environment through the development of a
framework and of methodologies to assess radiation impacts on biota and to
review the corpus of radiation safety standards.
The Group of 77 and China believes that it is important for the
Agency's Plan of Activities to involve all relevant role-players in the
scientific community and the general public. This would lead to increased
awareness of the importance of radiological protection of the environment.
Madam Chair,
With these comments, the Group of 77 and China supports the approval,
for implementation within the framework of the Agency's approved programme
and budget, of the draft "Plan of Activities on the Radiation
Protection of the Environment".
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Madam Chair,
The Group of 77 and China thanks the Secretariat for preparing and
providing the Draft Safety Requirements on Geological Disposal of
Radioactive Waste, as contained in document GOV/2005/48. The Group has
read the document with keen interest and expresses its appreciation to all
experts of Member States that made their valuable inputs in the
preparation of the document.
The Group of 77 and China notes that the focus of the Draft Safety
Requirements is the geological disposal of spent nuclear fuel, high level
radioactive waste from the reprocessing of nuclear fuel, other heat
generating waste and waste containing high concentrates of long lived
radio-nuclides. The Group also notes that the publication is intended for
use by all persons concerned in radioactive waste management and making
decisions in relation to the development, operation and closure of
geological disposal facilities, especially those concerned with the
related regulatory aspects.
The Group of 77 and China takes note that the objective of the
publication is to set the protection objectives and criteria for
geological disposal and to establish the requirements that must be met to
ensure the safety of this disposal option, consistent with the established
principles of safety for radioactive waste management. The Group notes
that the national regulatory body should undertake research, acquire
assessment capabilities and participate in international cooperation to
fulfill its regulatory functions.
The Group of 77 and China takes note that at each major decision
point, the implications for safety of the available options for the
geological disposal facility are considered and taken into account and
that ensuring both operational and post-closure safety is the overriding
factor at each decision point. The Group also notes that if more than one
option is capable of providing the required level of safety, other factors
will also be considered. These factors could include public acceptability,
cost, site ownership, and existing infrastructure and transport routes.
With these few comments, Madam Chairperson, the Group of 77 and China
takes note of the Draft Safety Requirements on Geological Disposal of
Radioactive Waste and supports the recommended action.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
The Group of 77 and China thanks the Director General for the report
contained in document GOV/INF/2005/9-GC(49)/INF/5 as well as the
Secretariat for actions implemented pursuant to General Conference
resolution GC(48)/RES/10 and the various action plans that were devised to
strengthen nuclear, radiation and transport safety, emergency preparedness
and response and the safety and security of radioactive sources. The Group
would also like to thank DDG Taniguchi for presenting the document before
us.
The Group of 77 and China greatly appreciates the efforts of the
Agency to provide assistance and training opportunities, training
material, dissemination of information and information exchange related to
the radiological protection of patients. The Group is also following with
interest the important activities carried out by the Agency, in
coordination with the International Labour Organisation, to further
develop and promote adequate occupational radiation protection worldwide
and the efforts of both organisations in reaching developing countries.
Many members of our Group have benefited from IAEA's technical
assistance projects to enhance national regulatory infrastructures for the
control of radiation sources, have hosted RaSSIA missions, contributed to
the updating of Waste Safety Infrastructure Profiles and participated in
regional workshops on the Regulatory Authority Information System RAIS
3.0.
In the field of Nuclear and Radiation Safety, the Group notes the
encouraging prospects of the Asian Nuclear Safety Network and the
Ibero-American Radiation Safety Network, two regional extrabudgetary
programmes that facilitate the compilation, analysis and sharing of safety
knowledge, as well as the worldwide exchange of information, that the
Secretariat is pursuing through the Radiation Safety Regulatory Network.
Concerning the implementation of the International Action Plan on the
Safety of Radioactive Waste Management, the Group of 77 and China awaits
the results of the regional project being carried in Africa to assess the
feasibility of borehole technology for the disposal of disused radioactive
sources and its extension to other regions. The Group also notes with
interest that a framework and a position paper on waste management matters
have been prepared, as well as draft safety requirements and guides, and
that Safety Guide RS-G1.7 has been published, whilst a Plan of Activities
on the Radiation Protection of the Environment has been submitted for
approval by this meeting. The Group of 77 and China also looks forward to
conclusions to be achieved at the forthcoming International Conference on
the Safety of Radioactive Waste Disposal to help make further progress on
this matter.
Regarding Transport Safety, the Group is encouraged by the steady
review and revision of the Agency's Transport Regulations and preparation
of draft safety guides on Compliance Assurance and Quality Assurance and
Radiation Protection Programmes and supports the continuation of regional
transport safety courses on a periodic basis. The Group of 77 and China
also welcomes efforts to strengthen dialogue and consultation between
Coastal and Shipping States on issues related to the safety of transport
of radioactive cargo and hopes for progress to be made in relation to this
issue as well as concerning an effective liability regime for damage
caused in the course of such transport. The Group also acknowledges the
confidence building measures undertaken by Member States to strengthen
transport safety.
The Group of 77 and China is grateful for support provided by the
Agency to recover orphan and disused sources and other assistance rendered
in this field at the request of Member States, including the prevention of
the illicit and inadvertent movement of radioactive sources.
The Group is also appreciative of measures implemented by the
Director General to strengthen the Agency´s Incident and Emergency
Response System and looks forward to the further implementation of the
International Action Plan for Strengthening the International Preparedness
and Response System for Nuclear and Radiological Emergencies.
Finally, the G-77 and China would like to call for further efforts by
the Secretariat to provide for a wider representation by developing Member
States in the Agency´s committees and its Commission on Safety
Standards as well as in technical meetings to prepare safety and security
related documents.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Madam Chair,
The Group of 77 and China would like to thank the Secretariat for
preparing the Progress Report and the Nuclear Security Plan for 2006-2009,
as contained in document GOV/2005/50 and its annex. The Group wishes to
thank DDG Taniguchi for his presentation of this agenda item.
The Group of 77 and China has always strongly supported the Agency's
nuclear security activities, the overall goal of which is to assist Member
States in improving their nuclear security. The Group notes with
satisfaction that the document makes it clear that this assistance shall
be provided upon request and that responsibility for the security of
nuclear and other radioactive materials rests entirely with the State. The
Group further notes the assertion contained in the Progress Report that
adherence to Agency guidelines and recommendations related to enhancing
security is voluntary and shall respect the primacy of the State in
security issues. The Group concurs with the notion that the role of the
Agency in enhancing nuclear security and the scope of its activities must
be determined by the Member States and reflected in the Board decisions
and General Conference resolutions and stresses that this role must be
based on the premises mentioned above.
The Group of 77 and China notes that the activities included in the
Nuclear Security Plan for 2006-2009 will continue to be funded from
extrabudgetary contributions made, on a voluntary basis, to the Nuclear
Security Fund. In order to reflect this understanding, the Group suggests
that the last part of item (d) of the recommended action be rephrased, so
as to read: "and call upon States to contribute, on a voluntary
basis, to the Nuclear Security Fund for the continuation of the Agency's
activities related to measures to protect against nuclear terrorism".
As to the expressions referring to funding "from a limited regular
budget", mentioned in paragraph 25 of the Report, and funding from "the
available regular budget", mentioned in paragraph 48, the Group
wishes to stress the understanding that regular budget resources to fund
nuclear security activities are limited.
The G-77 and China notes that the implementation of the new Plan is
estimated at $15.5 million annually, representing an increase in annual
resources when compared to the current Plan. The Group of 77 and China
stresses the importance of having a balance among the activities of the
Agency in terms of the resources they receive. In this context, the Group
encourages Member States to contribute to the Technical Cooperation Fund
(TCF), which is of fundamental importance for developing Member States, in
order to provide it with sufficient, predictable and assured resources.
The Group also supports the External Auditor's opinion, reflected in the
Progress Report, that the number and extent of restrictions limiting
flexibility in the use of the extrabudgetary funds are cause for concern.
The Group of 77 and China notes the references to the Code of Conduct
on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources and to the Guidance on
the Import and Export of Radioactive Sources contained in the Progress
Report and in the Plan. The Group reiterates its opinion, expressed in
previous Board sessions, that the Code of Conduct should not hamper the
wide use of radioactive sources in medicine, agriculture, industry and
education, especially in developing countries, and should not be used to
deny the peaceful uses of atomic energy or the export of these sources for
use in developing Member States. As to the Guidance, the Group reiterates
the importance that exporting States, in applying it, in particular
paragraphs 8 (c) and 11 (c), carry out the information exchange and
consultations set out in paragraph 21 of the Guidance. Furthermore, the
Group reiterates the fact that the Code and the Guidance are not legally
binding, as reflected, inter-alia, in part D of Resolution GC(48)/RES/10,
adopted by the General Conference in 2004.
With these comments, the Group of 77 and China supports the
recommended action.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Madam Chair,
The Group of 77 and China would like to thank the Secretariat for the
preparation of the Agency's Report contained in document
GOV/2005/58-GC(49)/12. We would also like to thank DDGs Burkart and
Sokolov for presenting this agenda item.
The Group of 77 and China expresses its appreciation for the efforts
undertaken by the Agency since the 47th regular session of the General
Conference, in 2003. In this regard, we note with satisfaction the wide
use of isotope techniques for water resources management and preservation.
However, this growing interest, as reflected in the increase in the number
of technical cooperation projects, which rose from 74 in the 2003-2004
programme cycle to 87 in the 2005-2006 programme cycle, seems to be not
supported by adequate financial resources, since the financial envelope
dropped from 7,6 million US dollars to 6.9 million US dollars in the
respective periods. The Group has the expectation that appropriate
measures will be taken to avoid any decrease regarding project
implementation.
In the area of Groundwater Management, the Group is pleased to note
that the Agency initiated a partnership with the World Bank and other
relevant organisations to set up a global strategic vision for groundwater
use and protection.
In addition, the Group welcomes the Agency's efforts aimed at
strengthening and consolidating training and expertise in all areas
related to water resources. In this regard, we appreciate that the IAEA
organised nearly 40 group training activities, such as training courses,
workshops and seminars for developing Member States. The Group strongly
encourages the Secretariat to pursue its efforts and to continue
disseminating information and providing Member States with expertise,
technical assistance and equipments in this highly important field of
water resources.
The Group notes with satisfaction the implementation of national and
regional projects relating to the sustainable management of groundwater
resources and to better understanding of groundwater systems. In the same
vein, we appreciate the efforts of the Agency and other international
bodies to help Member States in groundwater management and sustainability,
as well as to identify the processes responsible for precipitation and the
impact of climate change on water resources.
In the context of coordinated research, the Group notes that at least
two CRPs were initiated with the objective to develop new isotope
applications for the study of water and carbon cycle dynamics and for
setting up isotope methods for the assessment of groundwater
sustainability. We encourage the Agency to continue assisting developing
Member States to master these techniques, which are indispensable for
optimal use of water resources, their management and preservation.
Madam Chair,
The Group of 77 and China welcomes the increased activities of the
Agency cited in document GOV/2005/58 on the IAEA Plan for Producing
Potable Water Economically Using Small and Medium-sized Reactors (SMRs).
The Group wishes to underscore the importance of continued and sustained
efforts by the Agency to strengthen regional and international cooperation
in addressing water shortages in developing countries through nuclear
desalination of seawater. We are pleased to note that several workshops,
feasibility studies, seminars and training courses have been undertaken by
the Agency in the current biennium. These activities, coupled with
coordinated cooperation of the Agency with Member States, should create a
solid basis for effective and accurate project design and planning for
competitiveness of nuclear desalination in specific regions, thereby
identifying innovative techniques for efficiency, cost reductions and
refinement of the final product.
The Group commends the Agency's outreach programme for nuclear
desalination including the provision of up-to-date information on
desalination available on the Agency's website. We feel that such updates
on information and technology on seawater desalination will both enhance
technology transfer and further improve nuclear desalination techniques in
the near and long-term.
The G-77 and China is also pleased to note that IAEA activities,
coordination and cooperation with Member States has resulted in the
development of more than 50 concepts and designs of innovative SMRs in
more than 15 Member States, representing both industrialized and
developing countries. The Group encourages the Agency to continue to
facilitate further cooperation among states in desalination activities.
The Group reiterates the importance of nuclear seawater desalination
for the development of many coastal developing countries and feels that
priority should be given to the strengthening of the international efforts
in developing and applying nuclear desalination techniques.
Madam Chair,
The Group of 77 and China is pleased to note that the Director
General has, in Annex 3 of document GOV/2005/58, given a comprehensive
report on IAEA activities in supporting and complementing research,
development and technology transfer to the African member states in the
creation of tsetse-free zones through the integrated Sterile Insect
Technique for tsetse eradication in Africa through the Pan African Tsetse
and Trypanosomosis Eradication Campaign (PATTEC). The Group supports this
initiative and welcomes its extension to address other areas of concern,
such as mosquitoes, fruit fly, mud fly, locust and others, and also its
extension to other regions of the world.
6. The Group takes this opportunity to invite the Board to take note
of the progress the Agency is making in applying SIT for the eradication
of Tsetse and requests the Director General to continue the laboratory and
experimental development of the SIT for Malaria at the IAEA Laboratory at
Seibersdorf. It is necessary to ensure that funds for such activities of
the Agency are assured, sufficient and predictable. .
Thank you Madam Chair.
Madam Chair,
The Group of 77 and China reiterates its support for the
international project on innovative nuclear reactors and fuel cycles
(INPRO), the membership of which continues to grow. The Group looks
forward, in particular, to the publication of the first draft of the INPRO
user manual by the end of 2005 and the conclusion of INPRO assessments
under Phase-1B (second part). It also looks forward to the initiation of
Phase-2 of INPRO, under which the three broad activities currently
envisaged are Research and Development, institutional/infrastructure and
methodology. The Group notes the establishment of a periodically updated
homepage for INPRO for the benefit of Member States. The Group encourages
increased cooperation with other international efforts on innovative
technology development, namely Generation IV International Forum (GIF).
Under Major Program 1, Nuclear power, Fuel Cycle and Nuclear Science,
the Group appreciates the Agency's efforts to enhance information exchange
and cooperative research activities relating to advanced reactor designs
incorporating several innovative, evolutionary and enhanced safety
features through the application of lessons learned from operating plants
and the utilization of simplified systems. The Group notes that the last
point is part of a new approach that is expected to lead to improved
economics and a high level of safety through reduced design complexity and
reduced demand of human interventions.
The Group fully supports all new activities involving the publication
of TECDOCS and the initiation of Coordinated Research Projects (CRPs) on
various technical aspects of the advanced nuclear reactor designs under
development. It particularly notes that, in coordination with the OECD/NEA
and GIF, a CRP on supercritical water-cooled reactors is being planned.
The Group expects these efforts to culminate in proliferation
resistant, environment friendly, inherently safe and economically viable
nuclear reactor systems.
In the context of nuclear desalination, the Group notes the Agency's
progress based on the ongoing and concluded CRPs, focused, respectively,
on economic evaluation of selected nuclear desalination projects/case
studies and the optimization of the coupling of nuclear reactors and
desalination systems.
The Group supports all design and technology development activities
related to Small and Medium sized Reactors (SMRs) including the CRPs on
small reactors without on-site fuelling, with its objective of increasing
the Member State capabilities of deploying such systems for development of
key enabling technologies through increased international cooperation.
The Group is also pleased with SAGNE's recommendation for the
inclusion of a new project on nuclear Hydrogen production in a
subprogramme supporting non-electrical applications of nuclear power.
With these comments the Group supports the recommendation that the
Board take note of Annexes 1 - 4 of the report contained in document
GOV/2005/58-GC(49)/12 and authorize the Director General to submit it to
the General Conference at its forty-ninth session.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Madam Chair,
The Group of 77 and China would like to thank the Director General
for his reports contained in documents GOV/2005/54-GC(49)/14 and
GOV/2005/55-GC(49)/15 on Staffing of the Agency's Secretariat and Women in
the Secretariat, respectively. The Group would also like to thank DDG
Waller for introducing this agenda item.
The Group notes the Secretariats' continuing efforts to improve,
pursuant to General Conference resolutions, the recruitment practices of
the IAEA Secretariat with regard to women and of staff members from
developing countries, and from other Member States which are unrepresented
or underrepresented in the Agency's Secretariat.
The Group notes that during the current review period, applications
have been received from 81 of the total of 85 developing Member States.
However, the Group remains concerned that, out of the total number of
appointments for posts subject to geographic rotation, only 24.8% of
appointees were from developing States. In this regard, the Group notes
with concern that representation from developing states has decreased,
rather than increased, over the past two years. The Group therefore
expects that the Secretariat will exert more efforts to address this
situation.
On the recruitment of women, the Group notes the meetings of Points
of Contact for the Recruitment of Women, and looks forward to their
positive results.
With these comments, the Group notes documents GOV/2005/54-GC(49)/14
and GOV/2005/55-GC(49)/15.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
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