Vienna Chapter
Mr. Chairman, The Group of 77 & China wishes to express its
appreciation to the Director General for the report contained in document
GOV/2001/28-GC(45)/11 on the safety of Nuclear Research Reactors.
Following are our comments:-
The report of the Working Group, referred to in the document, reveals
succinctly the current status of 651 research reactors included in the
research reactor data base of the Agency, and based on the outcomes of
recent missions and on-going programmes addresses various safety issues,
including the effect of ageing. The Group of 77 and China agrees with the
concern expressed by the working group about the loss of expertise,
control and lack of operating and regulatory infrastructure associated
with the problem of ageing of research reactors.
The Group takes note that the Working Group Report itself concluded
that after examining several options, it recognizes that international
legally binding agreements on the safety of nuclear research reactors
would put an excessive burden on countries without necessarily improving
the safety.
We note that the Agency has suggested a number of mechanisms to
address the safety of research reactors. Establishing a Code of Conduct
for research reactors and following such other accepted good operating
practices are positive steps for ensuring the safety of research reactors.
Moreover, the IAEA activities aimed at providing assistance to Member
States to improve research reactor safety should continue and be further
strengthened.
With these comments, the G-77 & China take note of the document.
Thank you.
Mr. Chairman, The Group of 77 and China notes with interest the
findings, conclusions and recommendations of the Málaga Conference
held last March, and the intention of the Secretariat to convene a meeting
of a group of experts to formulate an Action Plan for Future International
Work Related to the Radiological Protection of Patients.
The Group also recognizes the continuing efforts of the Secretariat
in establishing appropriate safety standards, as well as improving
security of radiation sources and revising Plan of Action related to
radiation safety.
As stated by the Group in the March Board, it supports the expansion
of Model Projects for upgrading radiation protection infrastructure. In
the context of sustainability and TCDC, the Group requests the Agency to
continue to support the long-term training courses in radiation protection
conducted in Member States of this Group such as Argentina, Malaysia,
South Africa and Syria, leading to post-graduate diplomas. The Group is
also pleased to note that an additional course is to be established in
French in Morocco.
Mr. Chairman, The Group also notes that some of the events of the
Agency including those in radiation and waste safety, where there is
limited or no funding available, there has been little participation by
qualified participants from Member States of this Group. The problem is
further compounded by limited invitation to only some Member States from
developing countries resulting in participation mainly from developed
countries. For instance, the Technical Committee Meeting which was held in
July 2001 on the Scope of Regulatory Control of Radiation Exposure had
minimal participation of members of this group even though the findings of
this TCM would have possible future implications in international commerce
of commodities in developing countries. Given the limited regular budget
funding available, the Group requests the Secretariat to encourage
extra-budgetary funding to support wider participation of developing
Member States in such activities.
Mr. Chairman, The Group of 77 and China commends the Secretariat for the
preparation of document GOV/2001/30, this being the first time this
important issue is discussed as a separated agenda sub-item.
The Group has stated its concern over the risks involved in the
possible non-adherence to adequate safety standards and IAEA regulations
during international maritime transport of radioactive materials. In this
sense, the G-77 and China shares the concern expressed by Member States,
Regional Groups and international Organizations through various statements
regarding this item, of the potential harmful effects for human life and
the ecosystems of coastal transit states.
Mr. Chairman, at the moment there are many issues to be clarified by
the international community regarding the transport safety of radioactive
material, such as, for instance, the legal aspects involving
responsibility for liability mechanisms in case of accidents that could
affect human health, environment as well as the risk of economic loss. All
these issues could be studied with the technical support of the Agency in
order to make effective progress and to advance in such matters.
Mr. Chairman, Finally, the Group welcomes the intention of the
Secretariat to convene a Conference on the Safety of Transport of
Radioactive Material early in 2003, as well as other positive steps
mentioned in document GOV/2001/30.
Mr. Chairman, The increased world-wide scarcity of potable water is a
major concern of the international community because of its vital
importance for all mankind. This was emphasised in Agenda 21 of the Rio
summit on Development and environment and subsequently recalled at the
19th special session of the United Nations General Assembly. Since 1993,
the Agency has developed a frame work program to address this issue
through the Nuclear seawater desalination. In this respect, the
Director-General has established an International Nuclear Desalination
Advisory Group (INDAG) which ended its first term in the year 2000. The
INDAG has recommended inter-alia, that seawater desalination using nuclear
energy is technically feasible and in general cost effective. The G77 and
China notes with interest that this advisory group held the first meeting
of its second term in July 2001. We are looking forward to receiving a
report on the progress made in this field and the action program of the
Agency relating to the seawater desalination.
Mr. Chairman, Several Member States are conducting feasibility
studies on the production of potable water economically through
interregional projects of the Agency. Nevertheless the G77 and China is
concerned by the delay in these studies and would like to see as soon as
possible the practical implementation through establishment of integrated
nuclear power and desalination system design. In our view, the feasibility
studies should include, besides the technical aspects, economic and social
impacts on the end users. The safety standards are also to be considered.
Mr. Chairman, Some key studies whose publication is announced by
Document GOV/2001/32 are not yet issued by the Secretariat such as "Design
concepts of nuclear desalination Plants ", "Market Potential for
non-electric Applications of Nuclear Energy".
We are convinced that the dissemination of the available information
among Member States is one of the important ways to accelerate the
establishment of a network program leading to the alleviation of the
scarcity of potable water.
Mr. Chairman, The G77 and China is aware that small and medium size
reactors are of interest for desalination in many developing Member States
because the thermal energy required to produce fresh water is considerably
less than the amount of heat produced by large reactors. For this reason
we note with appreciation the efforts of the Secretariat on this topic and
look forward to seeing the progress foreseen for this activity.
Mr. Chairman, The steering committee meeting of May 2001, has defined
the organisational chart for INPRO and approved the structure and
preparation of the report on " Innovative nuclear reactors and fuel
cycles ". Many activities of the Agency were carried out during the
year 2001, but here again, reports on these activities are still under
process of preparation in the Secretariat. We look forward to the report.
Coming back to financial aspects, the group is happy to note that
some Member States and regional Organisations have made extra budgetary
contributions to the work of the Agency in relation to the Nuclear
desalination, SMRs and INPRO and hopes that this trend will continue in
the years to come through addition of new contributors to the list.
Mr. Chairman, The Group of 77 and China wishes to express its
appreciation to the Director-General for the report contained in document
GOV/2001/34 - GC(45)/17 pursuant to resolution GC(44)/RES/24. We also wish
to thank the Deputy Directors-General of Technical Cooperation and that of
Nuclear Sciences and Applications for the various measures taken on the
implementation of the topics that came under this resolution.
The effective development and application of the SIT for the control
and eradication of mosquitoes would contribute to improve the
socio-economic conditions in Member States, as capacity building in
radiation therapy for the treatment and curing of Solid Cancers would
ensure that the gains made by the increase in life expectancy is not lost.
Similarly, the application of nuclear techniques for the detection of
landmines would further the cause of alleviating devastating effects of
landmines.
Mr. Chairman, On the development of SIT for the Control or
eradication of mosquitoes, the Group notes the expert meeting held to
formulate polices and develop a draft project document, the upgrading of
the status of the project from CAURBS to a core project with an allocation
of US$100,000 seed money and complemented by extra-budgetary resources.
However, in view of the high incidence of annual death caused by
mosquitoes and its implications for the socio-economic development of
affected developing member states, we urge the Secretariat to increase the
Regular Budget allocation to this project in view of the fact that the
field applications of the SIT on mosquitoes is yet not existent and would
require adequate resources other than extra budgetary resources which is
neither reliable nor predictable. It should be added that this project
falls directly under the mandate of the Agency. We further urge the
Secretariat to continue to pursue further research and development
activities in this direction as well as extend its collaboration with
concerned regional and international organizations in solving this
problem.
Mr. Chairman, We acknowledge with appreciation those Member States
who have already made extra-budgetary contributions to this project and we
would work closely with those who are contemplating to do the same.
With these comments, the Group authorizes transmission of this report
to the General Conference.
Mr. Chairman, The Group of 77 and China expresses its appreciation for
the report contained in document GOV/2001/38-GC(45)/21 entitled Staffing
of the Agency's Secretariat.
We take cognizance of the various measures taken in response to the
1999 GC resolution on this subject and note with satisfaction the increase
in application and selection from developing Member States, as compared to
the previous reporting period (i.e., August 1997-99). We regret, however,
that due to staff turnover the number of P-level posts held by staff from
developing countries is practically the same as in July 1999.
The Group of 77 and China is particularly concerned that the
representation of developing Member States at senior staff level of the
Agency appears to be declining rather than improving. We hope that this
decline, particularly in comparison to August 1996 and 1997, will be
addressed in the ongoing recruitment process mentioned in para. 21 of the
document.
The Group 77 and China regrets the fact that despite all the
Director-General's and the Secretariat's efforts, under-representation of
developing countries still persist and the Group urges the
Director-General to continue his efforts to find ways for overcoming the
problem.
With these brief comments, the Group of 77 and China takes note of
document GOV/2001/38-GC(45)/21 and reaffirms its readiness to continue
working constructively with the Secretariat to encourage recruitment of
well-qualified applicants from developing countries.
I thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Chairman, The Group of 77 and China expresses its appreciation to
the Director-General for his report on the agenda item under
consideration, as contained in document GOV/2001/39-GC(45)/22, and
commends the quality of the document.
The Group takes note of the various measures taken in response to the
1999 GC resolution on this subject. However, the Group notices that the
document does not report on the work done regarding Integration of the
Platform for Action developed at the UN Fourth World Conference on Women,
nor does it report on the Secretariat´s participation in the Fifth
World Conference on Women as requested in the second operative paragraph
of the resolution.
The Group notes with concern that the gender imbalance is still
prevailing at the senior staff level in the scientific and engineering,
and administrative occupational groupings. Despite the rise, though
marginal in the number of well-qualified women applying for posts in the
scientific and engineering fields over the past two years, the present
percentage of women in the professional and higher category staff is the
lowest as compared to previous four years.
While recognizing the scarcity of women with nuclear specialization
world-wide, the Group still foresees that more should be done to attain a
better balance in the gender percentage.
The Group would like to thank the Secretariat for the measures taken
in the previous two years for recruitment of women in particular those
from developing countries, and encourages the Secretariat and Member
States to continue to pursue their efforts in this direction.
With these observations, the Group of 77 and China takes note of the
report.
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