Statement of the G-77 and China during the IAEA Board of Governors Meeting, 10-14 September 2018 delivered by H.E. Ambassador Carlos Játiva, Permanent Representative of Ecuador
Agenda Item 3: Measures to strengthen international cooperation in nuclear, radiation, transport and waste safety
Mr. Chair,
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/2018/31, as well as for the work carried out between 1 July 2017 and 30 June 2018, pursuant to the General Conference resolution GC(61)/RES/8.
Mr. Chair,
2. The Group attaches great importance to nuclear safety, 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, and emergency preparedness and response 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, upon request, to developing countries operating, expanding or embarking on nuclear power and radiation technology programmes in establishing or enhancing their national safety infrastructure. We value the activities related to building competency in the regulatory functions, improving management for safety and promoting safety culture. The Group requests the Secretariat 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 for the development of nuclear energy.
6. The Group notes the importance of incorporation, where appropriate, of 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.
Mr. Chair,
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 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, in particular, 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 the transport of radioactive material. The Group supports continued efforts by the Agency to address problems related to denials of and delays in the shipment of radioactive material, particularly shipment by air and urges Member States to facilitate the transport of radioactive material, and to identify, if they have not done so, a national focal point on denials on shipment of radioactive materials to achieve a satisfactory and timely resolution of this issue.
10. The Group notes the activities developed by the Agency in the area of decommissioning and environmental remediation, such as in support to Member States’ decommissioning programmes by providing guidance and training material on safe decommissioning and the development of TECDOCs.
11. The Group commends the Agency for conducting advisory missions on the regulatory infrastructure for radiation safety, as well as for addressing radiation safety infrastructure in Member States that have expressed an interest in establishing or enhancing their cancer control capacity through imPACT (‘integrated missions of the Programme of Action for Cancer Therapy’) review missions.
Mr. Chair,
12. 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. We reiterate our support for the Agency’s efforts to aquire, preserve and transfer knowledge and organizational memory in nuclear safety to Member States.
13. The Group appreciates the Agency’s activities in the area of emergency preparedness and response (EPR) and encourages the Agency to continue them. The Group highlights the importance of supporting the work of regional forums and networks through the conduct of regional EPR workshops in Asia and the Pacific, Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean.
14. With these remarks, the Group of 77 and China takes note of document GOV/2018/31.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Agenda item 4: Nuclear security
Mr. Chair,
1. The Group of 77 and China wishes to thank the Secretariat for preparing the Nuclear Security Report 2018, which covers the period 1 July 2017 – 30 June 2018, as contained in document GOV/2018/36-GC(62)/10 . 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 27 August.
2. The Group reiterates its view that the responsibility for nuclear security within a State rests entirely with that State. The Group urges the Secretariat to always reflect this important principle in full in accordance with the Nuclear Security Resolutions.
3. The Group remains of the view that nuclear security considerations should not hamper the utilization of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, and international cooperation in that regard, 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 notes that successive General Conference resolutions have affirmed the Agency’s central role in strengthening the nuclear security globally and in coordinating international activities in the field of nuclear security. The Agency has responded to these GC resolutions by organizing or participating in a number of major meetings and coordination efforts. The Group appreciates the Agency’s efforts in this regard and requests the Secretariat to provide more information in this respect in its future Nuclear Security Reports.
6. 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 infrastructure.
7. The Group welcomes the voluntary reporting of Member States to the Agency's Incident and Trafficking Database (ITDB). The Group notes that the Agency does not have the mandate or capability to verify such reporting. The Group also notes the information provided by the Secretariat on external users of the ITDB and their access level and on the occasions where the Agency shared the information from the ITDB to States. The Group requests the Secretariat to provide further reassurance that the information on the ITDB is handled with care, especially those with sensitivity and confidentiality.
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 improvements including through capacity building and increased coordination.
9. The Group welcomes the continued improvement 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 continued enhancements of the IPPAS Good Practice Database, the International Network for Nuclear Security Training and Support Centres (NSSC Network) database, and the common calendar to provide information on all training courses and other events hosted by NSSC Network members.
10. The Group further notes the continued maintenance and update of the Nuclear Security Information Management System (NUSIMS), a web-based platform for States to perform nuclear security self-assessment on a voluntary basis.
11. Recognizing the growing requests of Member States for the Agency’s support in information and computer security, the Group appreciates the Agency’s efforts in responding to those requests through developing additional nuclear security guidance and providing a number of training courses.
12. The Group also reiterates its appreciation to the Nuclear Security Guidance Committee, the Interface Group, the Advisory Group on Nuclear Security, the International Nuclear Safety Group and the Secretariat for their work on and contributions toward the Agency’s Nuclear Security Series publications. The Group notes the Secretariat’s efforts to facilitate the participation of 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 facilitate a broader participation of representatives from developing countries in its meetings to ensure greater transparency and consensus in the development and review of such publications.
13. Concerning the Agency’s advisory services, the Group notes that the Agency’s International Physical Protection Advisory Service (IPPAS) mission was conducted, upon request, in Member States and that the Agency completed drafting the new guidelines for International Nuclear Security Advisory Service (INSServ) mission, which will begin to be implemented during the next reporting period.
14. 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).
15. The Group notes with satisfaction that, during this reporting period, the Agency has provided instructor-led training to over 2,400 participants from 149 States and e-learning modules to 877 users from 104 States. The Group further encourages the Secretariat to enhance its activities oriented at capacity-building in Member States, particularly developing countries, thus helping to ensure their adequate human resources.
16. 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.
17. The Group notes the Agency’s main goals and priorities concerning nuclear security for 2018-2019, which include the organization of the International Conference on Security of Radioactive Material in Vienna this December, the promotion of further adherence to the Amendment to the CPPNM with the aim of its universalization and continued preparations for the Review Conference on the Amendment to the CPPNM to take place in 2021, as well as initiating preparations for the next International Conference on Nuclear Security to be held in Vienna in the first quarter of 2020.
18. With these remarks, the Group takes note of the Nuclear Security Report 2018.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Agenda Item 5: 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 document GOV/2018/29-GC(62)/4, in response to General Conference resolutions GC(60)/RES/12 and GC(61)/RES/11. (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 ‘General’ part of the non-power nuclear applications, the Group is pleased with the continued efforts by the Co-Chairs of the 2018 Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Science Technologies and Applications for peaceful uses and their delivery to Member States through the Agency’s Technical Cooperation Programme, with the convening of several open-ended informal consultations with Member States to prepare the draft programme and draft outcome document. The Group looks forward to further engage constructively in order to meet the aspirations of Member States for a successful conference.
4. The Group notes with appreciation the progress made in the area of human health and medical radioisotopes and radiopharmaceuticals production, as well as the strengthening of Agency’s relationship with WHO and UNICEF. The Group also appreciates the Agency’s continued efforts to work with Member States’ Collaborating Centres, to implement its programmatic activities and promote the practical use of nuclear techniques, and the Agency’s support in facilitating effective research through Coordinated Research Projects (CRPs) to allow research institutes in both developing and developed Member States to collaborate. Recognizing the positive impact of CRPs in the Technical Cooperation Programme, and their resulting publications, the Group urges the Secretariat to further ensure benefits from possible synergies and avoiding duplication in this regard.
5. On Annex 2, 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 notes with appreciation the 2018 signing of a practical agreement between the Agency and the African Union Commission that expands areas of cooperation and include PATTEC. The Group takes note of the conclusion in Annex 2, stating that African trypanosomosis affecting livestock continues to pose a significant constraint to development in much of sub-Saharan Africa, especially in the rural areas where poverty and lack of infrastructure are most acute. The Group encourages the continuation of the Agency’s support toward the AU PATTEC initiative to successfully eradicate tsetse and Trypanosomosis from the African continent. The Group encourages Member States to contribute additional funds in order to ensure the sustainability of the programme.
6. On Annex 3, related to the “Development of the sterile insect technique for the control or eradication of malaria, dengue, Zika and disease-transmitting mosquitos”, the Group appreciates the Agency’s continued efforts, in particular the Joint FAO/IAEA and the IPCL in Seibersdorf, to develop, validate, and optimize the sterile insect technique (SIT) package as a complementary tool for the management of mosquito populations. The Group particularly notes the great achievement made in the development and validation of a mosquito release system mounted on remotely piloted aircraft that paves the way for large-scale and cost-efficient releases over sparsely or densely populated areas. The Group takes note of the conclusion on Annex 3, stating that mosquito-borne disease remains among the most severe threats to the health of millions of people worldwide. In this regard, the Group encourages the Agency to continue to pursue its efforts to develop SIT package for mosquitos to effectively combat disease-transmitting mosquitos.
7. 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 delivered including through CRPs and technical cooperation projects The Group appreciates the efforts done in development and enhancement of laboratory networks including the VETLAB and RALACA networks. The Group further welcomes the Agency’s securing of extrabudgetary funds for this important area. . The Group takes note of the conclusion on Annex 4, and encourages the FAO/IAEA Joint Division to continue its efforts to increase the contribution of nuclear science and technology to raising agricultural productivity and sustainability, and also to respond major global trends framing agriculture development, including the adaptation to and mitigation of the effects of climate change.
8. On Annex 5, in relation to the “Renovation of the Agency’s Nuclear Applications Laboratories at Seibersdorf”, 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 building construction has made steady progress since it commenced in July 2016 and remains on schedule and on budget, with ReNuAL elements fully completed and ReNuAL+ elements well under way. The Group notes with appreciation that the new Insect Pest Control Laboratory (IPCL) will be operational by the end of 2018. The Group also notes that construction of all three planned laboratories of the new Flexible Modular Laboratory (FML) will be completed by the end of 2018 and the fit-out of the FML will be continued into the third quarter of 2019. The Group commends the efforts of the Secretariat and the Co-Chairs of the Friends of ReNuAL in mobilizing resources from Member States and non-traditional donors, including introducing an initiative to seek further private sector partners utilizing the UN Global Marketplace portal.
9. On Annex 6, “Plan for Producing Potable Water Economically Using Small and Medium Sized or Modular Reactors”, the Group supports the various activities undertaken by the Agency to assist Member States in developing sea water desalination using nuclear energy and to collaborate with international organization in this area. The Group appreciates the comprehensive compilation of activities in this regard in various Member States of the Agency. The Group notes the publication of two Nuclear Energy Series entitled Opportunities for Cogeneration with Nuclear Energy and Industrial Applications of Nuclear Energy. The Group encourages the Secretariat to continue to support Member States in the conduct of innovative projects involving non-electric applications of nuclear power.
10. On Annex 7 related to “General, Communication and Agency Cooperation with other Agencies, and Operation of Existing Nuclear Power Plants”, the Group notes the Agency’s efforts to provide support to interested Member States for the development of national capacities in the operation of nuclear power plants (NPPs) and in embarking on new nuclear power programmes, as well as future efforts to address climate change through participation in key forums. The Group commends the Agency’s pro-active roles to further communication and cooperation with other Agencies in the field of nuclear power, such as organizing UN Side Event on Energy Policy Trade-offs within the Broader Sustainable Development Challenge. The Group also notes that a variety of meetings and activities were organized by the Agency to promote effective collaboration mechanism between Member States to strengthen excellence in operation of existing nuclear power plants, as well as to provide supports through its safety review services to address ageing and plant life management and challenges of maintaining high standards for future nuclear workforce.
11. On Annex 8 “Agency Activities in the Development of Innovative Nuclear Technology”, the Group notes the work carried out by the Agency’s International Project on Innovative Nuclear reactors and Fuel Cycles (INPRO) to promote collaboration in developing innovative, globally sustainable nuclear energy systems. . The Group reiterates its view that the support to INPRO from the Agency’s regular budget should be enhanced.
12. On Annex 9, “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 Groups notes the Secretariat’s continued efforts on integrating Agency assistance for Member States embarking on or expanding their nuclear power programmes through oversight across the Agency. The Group also notes the Secretariat’s activities in applying the Milestones Approach’ and its efforts to refine the evaluation methodology for Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) Phase 3 missions incorporating the practical lessons learned from pilot missions.
13. 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 Group encourages the Agency to 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.
14. On Annex 10, related to “Nuclear Knowledge Management”, the Group notes the various activities undertaken by the Agency to strengthen interdepartmental efforts to address preservation and enhancement of nuclear knowledge, and to further increase the level of awareness of efforts in managing nuclear knowledge. The Group also notes the Agency’s activities related to capacity building and implementing nuclear knowledge management including to development through targeted interventions in higher education, training and related research in nuclear science and technology. The Group commends the creation of networks such as CLP4NET and INIS (International Nuclear Information System) that serve as platforms for knowledge management, considering capacity building, human resource development and knowledge management are key to sustainability and a successful programme. The Group encourages the Agency to continue its efforts in this area.
15. With these comments, the Group takes note of document under this agenda item (GOV/2018/29-GC(62)/4).
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Statement of the G-77 and China during the IAEA Board of Governors Meeting, 24 September 2018 delivered by H.E. Ambassador Carlos Játiva, Permanent Representative of Ecuador
Agenda item 5: Any other business
Madam Chair, [H.E. Ambassador Ms. Leena AL-HADID, Permanent Representative of Jordan]
1. I have the honor to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China to thank the outgoing Chair, H.E. Ambassador Darmansjah DJUMALA, Permanent Representative of Indonesia, for his successful Chairmanship of the Board of Governors between the 61st and 62nd sessions of the General Conference.
2. The Group of 77 commends Ambassador DJUMALA and his team for their dedication and hard work over the past year. We wish him all the very best in his future endeavors.
3. The Group would also like to take this opportunity to express its appreciation to the President of the General Conference, Her Excellency Ms. Marta Ziaková of Slovakia, for her excellent work and for her able stewardship of the 62nd session of the General Conference.
4. The Group commends Mr. Alberto Glender Riva of Mexico for his outstanding Chairmanship of the Committee of the Whole.
Madam Chair,
5. On behalf of the Group, I wish to congratulate you Madam Chair for assuming the chairmanship of the Board of Governors for the coming year. Our congratulations go as well to your Vice-Chairs, H.E. Ambassador Mr Arman Kirakossian, Governor for Armenia, and H.E. Ambassador Mr Ghislain D’Hoop, Governor for Belgium.
6. The G-77 and China is confident 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.
