Statement by the Group of 77 and China during the Board of Governors of the IAEA starting on 19 September 2016, delivered by the Chairman of the Group of 77 H.E. Ambassador Simon Madjumo Maruta, Permanent Representative of Namibia
Agenda Item 3: Programme Performance Report for 2014-2015
Mr. Chairman,
1. The Group of 77 and China, would like to thank the Director General for his introductory statement and the Secretariat for preparing the Programme Performance Report 2014-15, contained in document GOV/2016/35.
2. The Group is pleased to note that the Secretariat has taken various measures to strengthen the implementation of results based approach to programme planning and looks forward to implementation of actions based on lessons learned of Agency wide nature. The group notes that all Major Programmes, in the operational portion of the Regular Budget, had utilization rate of 99% or higher, demonstrating high usage of the funding provided.
3. In the Major Programme 1, the Group appreciates the Agency’s continued assistance to Member States considering, planning or operating nuclear power plants, research reactors, and fuel cycle facilities, as well as in nuclear science through various means of delivery, and looks forward to further refinements as brought out in the report. The group notes with satisfaction that the Agency’s participation in international fora such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change contributed to raising awareness of nuclear technology’s potential. The Group notes that special efforts will be made in the communication of the Agency’s activities in support of the energy-related SDGs and the COP22.
4. Under Major Programme 2, the Group is pleased to note the continued support to Member States in the peaceful uses of nuclear technology in the areas of food and agriculture, human health, water, the environment, and radioisotope production and radiation technology. The Group particularly notes the contribution of the Joint FAO/IAEA Program of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture in addressing the relevant challenges, the increased dissemination of the information and training in the area of human health, the significant increase in number of centres utilizing nuclear medicine, and the increase in capacities of Member States to conduct their own hydrological studies. The Group looks forward to the construction and operationalization of IAEA Laboratories under ReNuAL project.
5. On Major Programme 3, the Group notes with appreciation the actions implemented under the IAEA Action Plan on Nuclear Safety and the publication of the Report of the Director General on the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident. The Group notes that the work will continue to strengthen the global safety framework through revision of safety standards, as needed, and promoting their application. The global nuclear community will continue to learn lessons from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident and that the dissemination and appropriate follow-up of these lessons should be continued.
The Group notes that the Agency’s activities have resulted in improved understanding of the requirements of nuclear security, and the Agency’s assistance to Member States upon request, has enabled States to meet those requirements. The Group welcomes the Agency’s continued activities in this regard. The Group appreciates the Agency’s activities to promote the 2005 Amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material during 2014-2015, resulting in its entry into force in May 2016.
The Group remains of the view that nuclear safety and nuclear security considerations should not hamper the utilization of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, including through the Technical Cooperation Programme.
6. On Major Programme 5, the Group notes the continued efforts to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of programme delivery. The Group stresses the importance of enhanced transparency and communication with Member States in the implementation of policy, management and administrative changes.
7. The Group notes that the Major Programme 6 continued its focus to support human capacity building through national, regional and interregional projects, and the efforts to increase awareness and visibility of the TC activities.
The Group also notes that the rate of attainment on payments to the TCF for 2015, as of 31 December 2015, was 93.8%, which was higher compared to the previous five years, and that 3.4% of this increase was due to the deferred or additional payments made by Member States. The Group emphasises the importance of the TCF in the implementation of the TCP and reiterates its call on all Member States to pay their contributions in accordance with the indicative scale of assessment in full and on time.
The Group reiterates that the Technical Cooperation Programme is a shared responsibility and that its success depends on the combined efforts of the Department of Technical Cooperation, other relevant departments and Member States. These efforts are crucial for the planning and successful implementation of the Programme, which should be based on the needs, evolving priorities and ownership of Member States implementing TC projects.
8. The Group would also like to reiterate that as part of the Board decision on the Agency’s budget update for 2017 (GOV/2016/29), the Secretariat is requested to place an appropriate emphasis on the activities directly related to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals during the preparation of the programme and budget proposal for 2018-19. The Group believes that this should be done in a way that responds to its call for balance between promotional and non-promotional activities, in line with statutory objective of the Agency which seeks to accelerate and enlarge the contribution of atomic energy to peace, health and prosperity throughout the world. In this context, the Group also requests the Secretariat to brief the Member States about its actions in this regard, at an appropriate time well in advance of the presentation of the programme and budget proposal 2018-19.
9. The Group remains concerned over the asymmetry between the promotional and non-promotional activities of the Agency, and therefore believes that sufficient funding from the regular budget must be secured for Major Programmes 1, 2 and 6 in order to respond to the growing needs of developing countries. The Group requests the Secretariat to present to Member States, an informed assessment on whether Major Programme 6 is funded appropriately, through the regular budget, to deliver technical cooperation programme that meets the needs and requirements of all Member States.
10. With these comments, the Group takes note of the Programme Performance Report for 2014-2015 as contained in GOV/2016/35.
Thank you Mr. Chairman.
Agenda Item 4(a): Measures to strengthen international cooperation in nuclear, radiation, transport and waste safety
1. The Group of 77 and China wishes to thank Deputy Director General Juan Carlos Lentijo for his remarks under this agenda item, and commends the Department of Nuclear Safety and Security for the preparation of document GOV/2016/33-GC(60)/4, as well as for the work carried out between 1 July 2015 and 30 June 2016, pursuant to the General Conference resolution GC(59)/RES/9.
Mr. Chair,
2. The Group attaches great importance to the issue of nuclear safety, which represents a key element in any nuclear programme. While recognizing that the primary responsibility for nuclear safety rests with the States, the Group believes that the Agency plays an essential role in this field as provided for in Article III of the Statute. The Group stresses that the Agency must retain a central role in nuclear safety, owing to its mandatory functions, its broad membership and its long-standing expertise.
3. The Group also stresses its principled position that nuclear safety and nuclear security considerations must not hamper the utilization of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.
4. The Group highlights the importance of the Agency’s work in maintaining, improving and promoting nuclear, radiation, transport and waste safety worldwide. The Group appreciates the Agency's continuous efforts aimed at supporting Member States in sharing knowledge, expertise, technology and information on all aspects of nuclear safety. The Group also welcomes the Agency’s activities aimed at supporting nuclear safety infrastructure development in Member States, upon their request. The Group requests the Agency to continue these activities.
5. The Group appreciates, in particular, the assistance provided by the Agency to developing countries embarking on nuclear power programmes and, in this regard, the focus on areas such as capacity building, human resource development and the establishment of management systems. The Group encourages the Agency to continue its efforts in assisting interested Member States in the development of capacities and technical skills in nuclear safety as well as in strengthening the regulatory system and infrastructure needed in the development of nuclear energy.
Mr. Chair,
6. The Group notes the importance of the incorporation, where appropriate, of the lessons learned from the 2011 Action Plan on Nuclear Safety, the experience of States in implementing the Action Plan, as well as the observations and lessons contained in the IAEA Fukushima Report and the principles of the Vienna Declaration into the Agency’s programme of work. In this regard, the Group supports the continuation of the Secretariat’s cross-Departmental activities concerning strengthening nuclear safety.
7. The Group welcomes the assistance provided by the Agency to the activities of regional forums and related networks, including the Global Nuclear Safety and Security Network (GNSSN) and events that focused on strengthening collaboration among national authorities, specialists, international organizations, forums and working groups. The Group requests the Secretariat to further pursue activities aimed at strengthening regional safety forums and related networks, as mandated by the General Conference.
8. The Group commends the Agency for the activities carried out in the field of radiation safety and environmental protection under the reporting period, including, inter alia, through the development of relevant safety guides and the organization of regional workshops. The Group appreciates greatly the Agency’s continued activities aimed at strengthening radiation protection in medicine.
9. The Group attaches high importance to transport safety, and appreciates the involvement of the Secretariat in international efforts to discuss issues related to radioactive material transport.
10. The Group recognizes the continued efforts by the International Decommissioning Network (IDN) in providing a platform and mechanisms for the exchange of experiences, promotion of good practices and training in decommissioning. The Group takes note of the completion of the full course materials and a train-the-trainers package for the Basic Professional Training Course on Nuclear Safety (BPTC).
Mr. Chairman,
11. The efforts of the Agency in the area of education and training, and knowledge management in nuclear, radiation, transport and waste safety are of foremost importance to the Group of 77 and China. The Group reiterates its support for the Agency’s efforts to capture and preserve the Agency’s knowledge and organizational memory in nuclear safety by preserving, capturing and enhancing the transfer of the knowledge.
12. The Group appreciates the Agency’s activities in the area of emergency preparedness and response (EPR), including its support of the work of regional forums and networks through the conduct of five regional EPR workshops in Asia and the Pacific, Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean. The Group encourages the Agency to continue these activities.
13. With these remarks, the Group of 77 and China takes note of document GOV/2016/33-GC(60)/4.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Agenda item 4(b): Building on the IAEA Action Plan on Nuclear Safety
1. The Group of 77 and China would like to thank the Secretariat for the report entitled Building on the Action Plan on Nuclear Safety, as contained in GOV/INF/2016/10The Group also thanks Deputy-Director General Juan Carlos Lentijo for the briefing on this document, held on 6 July, and for his introductory remarks under this agenda item.
Mr. Chairman,
2. The Group reiterates its appreciation for the continuing efforts undertaken by the Agency to promote nuclear safety worldwide. While recognizing that the primary responsibility for nuclear safety rests with the States, the Group believes that the Agency plays an important role in this field as provided for in Article III of the Statute. The Group remains of the view that nuclear safety considerations must not hamper the utilization of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, and that the Agency should orient its programmes with this aim.
3. The Group notes with appreciation the Agency’s activities in connection with the implementation of the 2011 Action Plan on Nuclear Safety, including projects that continue beyond 2015. The Group expresses its support for the Agency’s work in appropriately incorporating and integrating follow-up activities resulting from the Action Plan in the relevant departmental programmes.
4. In this regard, the Group notes that, as reflected in the report under consideration, the Secretariat will assess observations and lessons identified, inter alia, through the implementation of the Action Plan, the Director General’s report on the Fukushima Daiichi accident, activities in relation to the international framework for safety, the Vienna Declaration on Nuclear Safety and the Agency’s activities in nuclear radiation, transport and waste-safety.. The Group underscores the importance of the revision of the Agency's broad range of assistance and support services to Member States to take into account such observations and lessons. The Group also encourages the Agency to enhance efforts towards fostering a strong safety culture for the full range of its activities to strengthen nuclear, radiation, transport and waste safety.
Mr. Chairman,
5. The Group recalls that many activities have been undertaken by the Secretariat, Member States and other relevant organizations to introduce concrete measures to strengthen nuclear safety worldwide. The Group requests the Secretariat to ensure the integration of the outcomes and lessons resulting from the Action Plan, the experiences of States in implementing the Action Plan, as well as the observations and lessons contained in the IAEA Fukushima Report, and the principles of the Vienna Declaration into the regular programme of work of the Agency, and report progress periodically to the Board of Governors.
6. The Group takes note of the development of a methodology by the Secretariat to systematically analyze observations and lessons in order to identify priority areas for the Agency’s activities. The Group further takes note of the objective to implement these prioritized activities within the Agency’s programme of work with a view to further strengthening the Agency’s safety standards, increase effectiveness of peer review and advisory services, and enhance international cooperation, capacity building and R&D.
7. In this regard, the Group requests the Secretariat to continue to provide information on the methodology developed and ways to implement the prioritized activities, including through cross-Departmental cooperation. In this context,the Group requests the Secretariat, , to keep Member States informed through technical briefings.
8. With these remarks, the Group takes note of the Director General's report contained in document GOV/INF/2016/10.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Agenda item 5: Nuclear Security
Mr. Chair,
1. The Group of 77 and China wishes to thank the Secretariat for preparing the Nuclear Security Report 2016, which covers the period 1 July 2015 – 30 June 2016, as contained in document GOV/2016/47-GC(60)/11. The Group also expresses its thanks to Deputy Director-General Juan Carlos Lentijo for his introductory remarks under this agenda item, as well as to the Department of Nuclear Safety and Security for the technical briefing provided to delegations on 1 September. The Group would like to welcome and congratulate Dr. Raja Adnan on his new appointment as Director of the Division of Nuclear Security.
2. The Group reiterates its view that the responsibility for nuclear security within a State rests entirely with that State and the Secretariat should continue to reflect this important principle in future Nuclear Security Reports.
3. The Group remains of the view that nuclear security considerations should not hamper the utilization of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, including through the Technical Cooperation Programme.
4. 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 Member States, as reflected in the Board decisions and General Conference resolutions, with due account of the need to ensure an appropriate balance between activities in the promotional and non-promotional areas.
5. The Group appreciates the Agency’s continued efforts to assist Member States, upon their request, to build and develop their nuclear security capacity which include, facilitating adherence to and implementation of relevant international legal instruments; developing nuclear security guidance and supporting States in the voluntary implementation of the guidance; and helping States in the establishment of effective, sustainable and comprehensive national nuclear security infrastructures,.
6. The Group takes note of the fact that, during the reporting period, there was an increase in adherence to the international legal instruments relevant to nuclear security. The Group welcomes the entry into force of the 2005 Amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM) on 8 May this year, as an important step in the international efforts to strengthen the nuclear security regime globally.
7. The Group welcomes the voluntary reporting of Member States to the Agency's Incident and Trafficking Database (ITDB), and notes that, during the reporting period, outreach efforts to promote the ITDB included national and regional workshops and consultancy meetings. The Group also takes note of the report of the Chair of the triennial meeting of the Points of Contact to the ITDB in July 2015 in Vienna, in which participants agreed on measures for improving reporting and communication.
8. The Group appreciates the continued efforts of the Agency to develop and implement Integrated Nuclear Security Support Plans (INSSPs) to assist Member States, upon request, in applying a structured and holistic approach to nuclear security capacity building and enabling increased coordination to ensure appropriate allocation of resources and reduce duplication of efforts.
9. The Group welcomes the continued development of the Nuclear Security Information Portal (NUSEC) and a significant increase of the number of registered users in the past year. The Group also notes improvements made to NUSEC in this reporting period, including the development of a common calendar to provide information on all events that the Agency and other international organizations are planning as well as the addition of a new user group area on the NUSEC portal focusing on the nuclear security legislative and regulatory framework. The Group further notes the further development of the Nuclear Security Information Management System (NUSIMS), a web-based platform for States to perform nuclear security self-assessment on a voluntary basis.
10. Recognizing the growing requests of Member States for the Agency’s support in computer security, the Group appreciates the Agency’s efforts in responding to those requests through initiating the development of additional nuclear security guidance, establishing a coordinated research project on this matter, and providing a number of training courses, as well as promoting relevant fora for information exchange.
11. The Group also reiterates its appreciation to the Nuclear Security Guidance Committee, the Interface Group and the Secretariat for their work on and contributions toward the Agency’s Nuclear Security Series publications. The Group also expresses its satisfaction with the Secretariat’s efforts to foster the participation of all Member States in the process of development and review of the Agency’s Nuclear Security Series publications. The Group reiterates its call on the Secretariat to further facilitate a broader participation of representatives from developing countries in its meetings, with a view to ensuring greater transparency and consensus in the development of such publications.
12. Concerning the Agency’s peer advice and peer review services, the Group notes the Agency’s International Physical Protection Advisory Service (IPPAS) and International Nuclear Security Advisory Service (INSServ) missions conducted, upon request, in Member States. The Group notes that at the request of States that have hosted IPPAS missions, the Agency has established a database of good practices identified during the IPPAS missions and made these available on the NUSEC portal.
13. Regarding human resource development, the Group welcomes the Agency’s continued support of comprehensive human resource development activities to ensure the sustainability of national nuclear security regimes, including the International Nuclear Security Education Network (INSEN) and International Network for Nuclear Security Training and Support Centres (NSSCs). The Group further welcomes the 2016 Annual Meeting of the NSSC Network held in Islamabad, Pakistan – the first such meeting held outside the Agency’s Headquarters in Vienna.
14. The Group notes with satisfaction that, during this reporting period, the Agency has provided instructor-led training to over 2,085 participants and e-learning modules to 680 individuals. The Group further encourages the Secretariat to enhance its activities oriented at capacity-building in Member States, particularly developing countries, thus helping ensure adequate human resources with the necessary training and competence.
15. The Group takes note of the Agency’s activities, undertaken at the request of Member States, in the area of risk reduction and security improvement. The Group calls on the Secretariat to continue its efforts aimed at strengthening the capabilities of Member States in this regard, including in the areas of threat characterization and assessment, the promotion of nuclear security culture, nuclear material accountancy and control, transport security, and nuclear forensics, among others.
16. The Group notes the Agency’s goals and priorities concerning nuclear security for 2016-2017, which include the promotion of the universalization of CPPNM and its Amendment, the development of Nuclear Security Plan 2018-2021 in close consultation with Member States, and the organization of the International Conference on Nuclear Security: Commitments and Actions, to be held from 5-9 December 2016 in Vienna. Regarding this Conference, the Group takes note of the Director-General’s status report on the preparations of the Conference, as contained in document GOV/INF/2016/11-GC(60)/INF/9. The Group affirms its readiness to work constructively with other Member States and the Secretariat to ensure the success of the Conference.
17. With these remarks, the Group takes note of the Nuclear Security Report 2016, as contained in document GOV/2016/47-GC(60)/11.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Agenda Item 6: Strengthening the Agency's activities related to nuclear science, technology and applications
Mr Chairman,
1. The Group of 77 and China thanks the Secretariat for the report on Agency activities in the area of nuclear science, technology and applications as contained in GOV/2016/34-GC(60)/5, in response to General Conference resolutions GC(58)/RES/13and GC(59)/RES/12. (Not to be read)
2. 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 to developing countries so as to enhance their capabilities and thus contribute to maximizing the benefit of peaceful uses of nuclear energy. The Group urges the Agency to continue to provide training and education, to support national and regional laboratories and to further enhance the 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.
3. On Annex 1, related to the “Support to the African Union’s Pan African Tsetse and Trypanosomosis Eradication Campaign (AU-PATTEC)”, the Group appreciates the Agency’s continuous efforts to support the AU-PATTEC Plan of Action through TC projects providing training, expert services and equipment to countries in the African region affected by this problem. The Group encourages the continuation of these activities to successfully eradicate tsetse and Trypanosomosis from the African continent. The Group takes note of the conclusion in Annex 1, stating the challenges faced, including poverty, lack of infrastructure and other prevalent parasitic diseases and strongly encourages the Agency to continue to pursue its efforts, and where its technically feasible to pursue SIT, bearing in mind that sterile insect techniques need to be complemented with long-term strategies aimed at developing the tools, in particular the human resources required, for the implementation of a fully operational programme in Member States, and that further efforts need to be pursued for the direct control of these diseases. The Group further encourages Member States to contribute additional funds in order to ensure the sustainability of the program.
4. On Annex 2, in relation to ReNuAL Project, the Group commends the efforts of the Secretariat, Friends of the ReNuAL and Member States of the Agency, to raise funds for this project, and is pleased to note that work on both the IPCL and FML began in July 2016. The Group reiterates the great importance it attaches to the role of the Agency’s Nuclear Application (NA) laboratories in Seibersdorf in developing and transferring nuclear related and complementary technologies that contribute significantly to food security and safety, medical dosimetry, water management and environmental protection, and thanks Member States and AFRA for their contributions towards this project of immense importance to the Group, and has particular relevance to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The Group notes that some elements of ReNuAL have been moved to ReNuAL+ and looks forward to the timely start of the consideration of the ReNuAL+ project.
5. On Annex 3, the Group appreciates Agencies activities in relation to “Development of the Sterile Insect Technique for the Control or Eradication of Malaria, Dengue and Other Disease-Transmitting Mosquitoes”. The group agrees with the conclusion that Mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue, yellow fever, chikungunya, Zika and others remain among the most severe threats to the health of millions of people worldwide and that due to globalization and climate change, the distribution of many species of mosquitoes is spreading to areas previously free of vectors of these diseases. This has resulted in more frequent outbreaks of these diseases in the past decade. The Group appreciates continued efforts of Joint FAO/IAEA Division and the IPCL in Seibersdorf with the development, validation and optimization of the SIT package as a complementary tool for the management of mosquito populations and notes the challenges and efforts to overcome these challenges.
6. On Annex 4, “Strengthening the support to Member States in Food and Agriculture”, the Group commends the Agency for the work carried out in response to a demand of technical assistance from Member States that remains high in the area of nuclear applications in food and agriculture. The Group notes with appreciation the work done since the fifty-eighth session of the General Conference. The Group commends the Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture in coordinating 28 CRP’s involving around 500 research institutions in member states to support 278 national, regional and interregional technical cooperation (TC) projects. The Group appreciates Agency’s securing of extrabudgetary funds for this important area.
7. On Annex 5, “Nuclear Energy Activities”, the Group notes the projected rate of growth in nuclear power capacity as an indication of continuing interest of Member States in nuclear energy, as a proven, clean, safe and competitive technology. The Group believes that nuclear energy will make an increasing contribution to the sustainable development of human kind throughout the 21st century and beyond. The Group further notes the role played by nuclear power in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and its contribution to addressing climate change issues and to United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. In 2015, a new binding agreement on climate change was adopted at the 21st session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP21), which recognizes that reductions in global greenhouse emissions are needed as soon as possible. In this context, the IAEA should further strengthen its role in promoting the safe use of nuclear power. The Group highly values the Agency’s central role in this regard, which is of particular importance in developing countries and notes with satisfaction the continued assistance provided by the Agency to Member States in training and capacity building. The Group notes that the Agency will attend a meeting on the role of nuclear power in mitigating climate change in Morocco, in October 2016 in preparation for COP22.
8. On Annex 6, on the Agency Activities in the “Development of Innovative Nuclear Technology”, the Group is pleased to note the work carried out by the Agency’s International Project on Innovative Nuclear reactors and Fuel Cycles (INPRO), The Group notes that the INPRO work programme reflects the interests and priorities of its members which are in line with the Agency’s regular programme and that the results obtained under INPRO are in turn available to all IAEA Member States. However, the Group notes with concern that INPRO continues to rely mainly on extra-budgetary contributions from its members. The Group reiterates its view that the support to INPRO from the Agency’s regular budget should be enhanced.
The Group notes with appreciation the Agency’s role in monitoring and participating in worldwide activities on advanced and innovative technology development, fostering collaboration among Member States on selected innovative nuclear technologies and related research and development through several Technical Meetings and through Coordinated Research Projects.
9. On Annex 7, “Producing Potable Water Economically Using Small and Medium Sized Nuclear Reactors”, the Group supports the various activities undertaken by the Agency to assist Member States in developing safe, secure, economically viable and proliferation resistant SMRs. The Group appreciates the comprehensive compilation of activities in this regard in various member states of the Agency. The Group notes the publication of IAEA TECDOC-1753 on new technologies for seawater desalination using nuclear energy and looks forward to publication of two Technical Series Reports entitled Opportunities for Cogeneration with Nuclear Energy and Industrial Applications of Nuclear Energy. The Group encourages the Secretariat to support Member States in the conduct of innovative projects involving non-electric applications of nuclear power.
10. On Annex 8, “Approaches to Supporting Nuclear Power Infrastructure Development”, the Group welcomes the various activities carried out by the Agency in this area which support the successful introduction of nuclear power and its safe, secure and efficient use. The Group thanks the Member States for the extrabudgetary contributions to the Agency in support of nuclear power infrastructure. The Group notes that more than 15 events were conducted in 2015-2016 focused on increasing Member States’ awareness and understanding of the ‘Milestones’ approach and key infrastructure issues such as national position, management, human resource development, funding and financing and radioactive waste management. The Group notes that evaluation methodology for Intergrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) Phase 3 missions was tested and refined the results of which will be used, upon request, to conduct INIR Phase 3 missions.
11. On Annex 9, “Nuclear Knowledge Management”, the Group notes that Agency continued its nuclear knowledge management activities focused on formulating and providing guidance and services, facilitating knowledge sharing networks, developing pilot projects, and fostering and supporting nuclear education and training. The Group further notes that these activities also take into account the elements of the IAEA Action Plan on Nuclear Safety related to capacity building, including human resources development, education and training, knowledge management and knowledge networks. The Group also notes that the Secretariat is preparing a document entitled Managing Nuclear Design Knowledge Over the Life Cycle – Stakeholder Perspectives, Challenges and Approaches which is expected to raise awareness in nuclear organizations of the need to develop a strategic approach to manage the risks of design knowledge loss, to enable the retention, transfer and utilization of this knowledge, and to develop and maintain the competences of new and existing personnel.
12. With these comments, the Group takes note of document under this agenda item (GOV/2016/34-GC(60)/5).
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Statement by the Group of 77 and China during the IAEA Board of Governors on 3 October 2016 delivered by H.E. Ambassador Simon Maruta, Permanent Representative of Namibia
Agenda item 5: Any other business
1. I have the honor to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China and would like to extend my congratulations on your election to you, Ambassador Tebogo Joseph SEOKOLO and your country South Africa and wish to express my pleasure in seeing you chairing this meeting and ensure you and your bureau of our full support in the course of the coming year. You are a very distinguished member of the Group of 77 – and of the African Group, and we all look forward to your able leadership. We are convinced that the Board will remain in good and steady hands as we move forward with the work of the Agency. Rest assured that you have the full support of the Group of 77 and China.
2. Our congratulations go also to your Vice-Chairs the Ambassadors Bahtijors HASANS from Latvia and Gonzalo de SALAZAR SERANTES from Spain.
3. At the same time, I wish to reiterate our gratitude to the outgoing Chairman H.E. Ambassador Laércio Antonio VINHAS, Governor and Permanent Representative of Brazil for successfully chairing the Board of Governors between the 59th and 60th sessions of the General Conference. The Group of 77 and China commends Ambassador Vinhas and his team for their dedication and hard work over the past year. We wish him all the very best in his future endeavors.
4. The Group would also like to take this opportunity to express its appreciation to the President of the General Conference, H.E. Dato’ Adnan bin OTHMAN, Ambassador of Malaysia, for his excellent work and for his able stewardship of the memorable 60th session of the General Conference and would also like to commend Mr. Vilmos Cserveny from the Permanent Mission of Hungary, for his outstanding Chairmanship of the Committee of the Whole.
