Vienna Chapter
Mr. Chairman,
The Group wishes to thank the Director General for his report in
document GOV/2006/41 on the Programme Performance Report for 2004-2005.
The Group wishes to inform that it reserves its right to submit its
comments on this Agenda item in the near future.
Mr. Chairman,
The Group of 77 and China would like to thank H.E. Mrs. Aruni Yashoda
Wijewardane Ambassador of Sri Lanka and H.E. Mr. Bengt O. Johansen
Ambassador of Norway for the balanced report of the Working Group on the
Technical Cooperation Fund Targets and Indicative Planning Figures. The
Group further expresses its appreciations for their efforts as
co-chairpersons of the Working Group and in particular for the able manner
in which they have conducted the consultations. Our thanks go also to the
Secretariat for their support and the information provided. The Group
wishes to seize this opportunity to request that the two papers produced
by the Technical Cooperation Department be attached to the report of the
Co-chairs.
The Group wishes to reiterate the great importance that it attaches
to the Agency's technical cooperation activities, as they are the main
statutory vehicle for transferring nuclear technology to developing
countries for their socio-economic development. We could not fail to
emphasize that the promotion of peaceful applications of atomic energy
constitutes a fundamental element of the statutory activities of the
Agency.
Mr. Chairman,
Over the years, the Group has participated actively in the
discussions and negotiations regarding the TC Programme. By doing so, our
membership has sought to ensure that the IAEA technical cooperation
activities are strong, efficient and effective in meeting national and
regional needs in a sustainable manner. Our Group wanted also that the
Technical Cooperation Programme continues to keep up with the growing
needs of developing countries in key areas for their sustainable
development, such as the peaceful applications of nuclear technology in
human health, power generation, industry, water management and
agriculture.
One of the most important conditions to achieve this goal is, as
stressed by the General Conference resolutions, to ensure that the
Agency's resources for technical co-operation activities are assured,
predictable and sufficient.
In spite of all efforts made and the introduction of the Rate of
Attainment, this objective is far from being achieved. Furthermore, TCF
targets have been frozen or registered an insignificant increase from 1999
to 2004, which has led to an insufficient level of the TC programme with a
large number of footnote a/ projects without funding. In the meantime, a
new system of NPCs has been introduced and payment by developing Member
States improved, thus giving an additional indication of a strong
commitment by these countries and a further financial contribution to the
TCF.
With all this in mind, G-77 and China contributed to the
consultations on the TCF targets for 2007-2008 and the Indicative Planning
Figures for 2009-2011. The Group has based also its participation on the
package of 2003 and the agreement of 2004, which both set the ground of an
increase in the TCF target. I would like in this regard to recall that,
upon agreeing on the set of measures contained in the package agreement of
2003, the Group stressed that:
Quote "we are confident that the goodwill of all parties and
their commitment to the elements of this package will not fade away after
the budget increase for safeguards begins to take place" Unquote.
During the meetings of the Working Group, as well as in its
consultations with the Co-chairpersons, our Group was engaged in good
faith in the negotiations that led to the present consensus and has shown
great flexibility that made it possible. Although its initial proposal to
set the target for 2007-2008 at 81.5 million USD was moderate and reflects
the price increase, as well as it addresses the need for a real increase,
the Group indicated that co-chairs proposal of 80.5 million USD
constitutes a good basis for a consensus. However, the Group had to make
an additional concession and accept a lower figure to avoid the failure of
the negotiations due to some intransigent positions.
Indeed, Mr. Chairman, the target of 80 million USD and IPFs of 82
million USD do not meet the expectations of developing countries and do
not reflect the expressed support to Technical cooperation. While agreeing
to this compromise, our Group wishes to underline the following:
The reference in the compromise before us to the package of 2003,
which indicates that from 2005 onward, TCF targets shall be negotiated
based on the changes in the level of the Regular Budget and the price
adjustment factor, is highly important for the Group. It should be
recalled that the set of measures contained in the package attempted to
ensure the necessary balance between all statutory activities of the IAEA.
Our Group will remain vigilant to ensure that the spirit in which this
package was negotiated and approved will not be abandoned or weakened.
The requirements of the Technical Co-operation Program and the will
of the international community, rather than any financing formula, should
determine the quantum of the TCF targets and Indicative Planning Figures
(IPFs).
The promotional role of the IAEA is a mandate clearly established in
many articles of its Statute (articles 2, 3 and 11). Furthermore, that
original mandate should now be seen in the light of important new
commitments and endeavours undertaken by the international community at a
series of recent Summits on economic, financial and social issues
(including the Millennium Declaration). Those meetings called for greater
synergy within the United Nations system with respect to international
cooperation for development - a task with which there is clearly a need
for greater involvement by the Agency through its promotional dimension.
There is a basic political commitment underlying the creation of the
Agency, which presupposes that the interests of all Member States must be
taken into account through the balanced advancement of all its areas of
activities. Thus, maintaining a balance between all statutory activities
of the Agency is crucial in maintaining a sound, efficient and credible
Agency. There is a need for Member States to send a political message that
it attaches equal importance to all aspects of its mandate.
Our Group is willing to engage in dialogue about several important
issues raised during the consultations.
In this context, it is fundamental for the Agency to start
considering seriously the issue of making the funding of the Technical
Cooperation Programme sufficient, assured and predictable. It is timely to
explore all means of achieving such an objective, including through
reconsideration of funding sources of the TCF.
The Group takes this opportunity to express appreciation to the
delegations that showed flexibility at an early stage of our consultations
and for the firm support to Technical Cooperation reaffirmed during the
meetings of the Working Group.
Finally, the Group is confident that the goodwill and a spirit of
compromise will prevail in our future consultations and allow as to
harmoniously find solutions acceptable to all parties.
Thank you.
The Group of 77 and China wishes to thank the Director-General for his
introductory statement in which he highlighted the main topics of the
agenda, and commends the Secretariat for preparing all relevant documents
including document GOV/2006/40 on "Measures to strengthen
international cooperation in nuclear, radiation and transport safety and
waste management" in response to resolutions GC(48)/RES/10 and
GC(49)/RES/9. The Group wishes also to thank DDG Taniguchi for introducing
this agenda item.
Mr Chairman,
The Group commends the work carried out by the Secretariat during
2005 in order to strengthen nuclear, radiation and transport safety and
waste management pursuant to the pertinent General Conference resolutions.
The Group welcomes the integration of all Agency's review services
related to strengthening and enhancing the effectiveness of regulatory
infrastructure and nuclear regulatory bodies in Member States into a new
Agency safety service called the Integrated Regulatory Review Service
(IRRS). Such an integrated approach based on a self-assessment methodology
is expected to have beneficial outputs in developing Member states as long
as the Agency's assistance is maintained.
The Group underlines, in this respect, the need for enhancing the
Agency's assistance to developing Member States with the view of upgrading
their national radiation protection and regulatory infrastructures. In
this regard, the Group takes note of the outcome of the International
Conference on Effective Nuclear Regulatory Systems and welcomes in
particular its recommendations on the necessity for the IAEA to develop
its programmes to assist Member States in human resource development by
organizing training courses in radiation protection, waste safety, nuclear
safety and security training courses at international, regional,
sub-regional and national levels.
In this context, the Group emphasises the importance of the related
regional projects and postgraduate training courses and requests that the
Agency enhance its financial support to these activities. The Group
appreciates the activities of the Agency to assist Member States in
training assessment methodologies and notes its efforts for a sustainable
education and training programme in all safety related fields. In this
regard, the Group wishes to request further information on the efforts of
the Secretariat to make long term agreements with regional centres hosting
the postgraduate educational courses in radiation protection and the
safety of radiation sources, as requested by the relevant General
Conference resolutions.
On Radiation Safety, the Group welcomes the ongoing efforts by the
Secretariat and the World Health Organization in preparing guidelines on
the implementation of the International Action Plan for the Radiological
Protection of Patients. The Group requests the Secretariat to prepare a
paper on the capacities and training needs of individual developing Member
States in this important domain.
Mr Chairman,
The Group attaches high importance to the Safety Standards and
appreciates the progress in implementing the Action Plan for the
Development and Application of IAEA Safety Standards. The Group welcomes
the efforts of the Secretariat to enhance the implementation of these
standards through information and promotional materials.
The Group also welcomes with appreciation the publication of Safety
Guide NS-G1.13 on the Protection Aspects of Design for Nuclear Power
Plants and the ongoing development of guidelines dealing with other
occupational radiation protection
The Group encourages further involvement of users, including facility
operators, in the preparation and review of safety standards and considers
that the revision of the standards should be kept to the minimum at
reasonable intervals to allow Member States enough time for their
implementation that might require revision of national legislations.
With these remarks Mr. Chairman, the Group takes note of the Director
General's report.
Mr. Chairman,
Regarding the two documents submitted for the Board approval, the
Group would like to thank the Secretariat for preparing the draft
Fundamental Safety Principles as contained in Gov/2006/42 and the draft
Safety Requirements of Decommissioning of Facilities Using Radioactive
Material contained in Gov/2006/51. The Group expresses also its
appreciation for the sponsorship and cooperation provided by other
international organizations in developing the first document.
The Group stresses the importance of giving due attention to the
financial and regulatory requirements of raising safety standards,
particularly in developing countries, and to providing appropriate support
for their implementation.
With these comments, the Group agrees to the recommended action on
the "Fundamental Safety Principles" and the Draft "Safety
Requirements".
Mr. Chairman,
G-77 and China considered the Report of the Chairman of the Meeting
of technical and legal experts for Consultations with States with a view
to establishing a formalized process for a periodic exchange of
information and lessons learned and for the evaluation of progress made by
States towards implementing the Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security
of Radioactive Sources in Vienna and the attachment to that report on the
proposed "Process for the Sharing of Information as to States".
Recalling that it expressed support for the action plan for enhancing
the safety of radiation sources and the security of radioactive materials,
the Group wishes to emphasise that it welcomes steps taken by the Agency
to improve the Safety and security of Radioactive Sources, particularly
assisting developing Member Sates in implementing appropriate
infrastructure for the safe management and secure protection of
radioactive sources.
The Group would like also to reiterate that Codes of Conduct are
legally non-binding and that implementation of measures deriving from such
codes are voluntary commitments by Member States.
While it supports in principle efforts of Member States, with the
assistance of the Agency, to promote exchange of nuclear safety and
security related information, the Group is of the view that the proposed
mechanism for information sharing involves organisational and financial
aspects and requires careful consideration. Furthermore, the Group regrets
that the document under consideration has been distributed as annexe to
the safety report and was only circulated in August while the meeting of
experts took place early June.
In this context, the Group considers that some aspects still require
further clarifications, and requests that these comments and concerns are
taken into account and requests that, the action of the Board of Governors
will have no impact on the non binding nature of the code, nor on the
financial obligations by Member States.
I thank you Mr. Chairman
Mr Chairman,
The Group of 77 and China would like to thank the Secretariat for the
preparation of the Agency's report contained in Document GOV/2006/47-GC
(50)-14. We would also like to thank DDGs Burkart and Sokolov for
presenting this Agenda item.
The Group has always given importance to the development of nuclear
energy and recognises the role of its peaceful applications in the
socio-economic uplift of the developing countries. For this reason, the
Group commends the Agency for its efforts in implementing nuclear
applications in areas such as the sterile insect technique for the control
or eradication of malaria-transmitting mosquitoes, support to the African
Union's Pan African Tsetse and Trypanosomosis Eradication Campaign,
Programme of Action for Cancer Therapy, innovative nuclear technology,
nuclear power infrastructure development and nuclear knowledge. The Group
encourages the Agency to continue to intensify its efforts in these areas
which are directly linked to human needs in the developing countries.
The Group considers that there is a need for further strengthening
these activities with greater participation of Member States, including
through increased participation of national and regional resource centres
of the developing countries, while ensuring a stronger assistance through
training and education, and support to national laboratories. The Group
underlines the importance of increased level of transfer of technology to
developing countries and a higher interaction of the scientists among all
the Member States. In this regard the Group would recommend strengthening
of CRP mechanism and its greater synergy with the technical cooperation
programme.
I wish now to make some specific comments on the Annexes to the DG
report
The Group of 77 and China expresses its appreciation for the efforts
undertaken by the Agency since 2004 in the field of using Sterile Insect
Technique for the control or Eradication of Malaria-Transmitting
Mosquitoes. We notice with appreciation that important activities were
carried out in Sudan and in île de la Réunion. Research and
Development on mosquito population genetics have been undertaken during
2004-2005 with the aim of assessing their suitability for an SIT
feasibility study and to understand mosquito population distribution and
isolation as a basis for better strategic planning of malaria
intervention.
Furthermore, the Group is pleased to register that the Agency through
its laboratories at Seibersdorf intensified research on sterilisation,
mass rearing and sexing during 2004-2005. Two CRPs were approved in the
reporting period relating respectively to colonization and mass rearing
aspects of mosquitoes, and on adult male biology post-release.
In the field of training and expertise, we commend the Agency and
concerned Member States for having trained nine fellows from malaria
endemic countries, as well as we notice that an expert mission was
implemented in order to assess the technical feasibility of an SIT
programme for the control of malaria vectors at specific sites. We
encourage the Agency and Member States to continue providing training,
assistance and equipment in order to help making further progress in the
implementation of the Objectives of this strategy adopted in this regard.
We also share the view with the Secretariat that the Agency should
combine the work in the laboratory and in the field, to achieve a
meaningful feasibility study of SIT for malaria transmitting mosquitoes
and to prepare its implementation.
In addition, the Group would like to reiterate its support to the use
of the Sterile Insect Technique and other nuclear techniques in combating
Malaria transmitting mosquitoes, tsetse, and Locust and encourages the
Agency to continue its efforts in this regard.
In this context, In addition, the G-77 and China is pleased to note
that in accordance with the resolution GC (49) RES 12, a regional
Conference on approaches for integrated combating of locusts was held in
Algiers from 23 to 24 July 2006 with the participation of many African
countries and of representatives from the FAO and IAEA.
The Conference recommended the integration of nuclear applications in
combating locust in order to set up a new cooperative and integrated
approach and called for the establishment of a regional centre for studies
and training. In this regard, we encourage the Agency to provide
appropriate assistance in implementing this initiative.
Concerning Annexe 2 dealing with the support to the African Union's
Pan African Tsetse and Trypanososmos Eradication Campaign (AU-PATTEC), the
G-77 and China is pleased to see that the Agency is continuing its
contribution to the implementation of the PATTEC Plan of Action through
regional and national projects in different African countries who received
technology transfer on feasibility assessment, training, expert services
and equipment. It is also encouraging to notice that a financial support
was established with the African Development Bank.
In the same vein, we encourage the Agency to continue exploring
partnership with International Organisations including FAO and WHO to
facilitate the implementation of the campaign in the context of overall
sustainable agriculture, livestock and rural development.
Furthermore, the Group encourages the Agency to continue its support
through TC project ETH/5/012" Integrating Sterile Insect Technique
for Tse Tse Eradication. We also commend the Secretariat for the efforts
aiming at fostering partnership for PATTEC through its representation to
different meetings held with other stakeholders with a view to improve and
enhance the implementation of projects and assuring additional financial
resources.
As far as programme of action for cancer therapy is concerned, the Group
of 77 and China wishes to express its appreciations to the Pact Programme
Office (PPO) and its staff for the devotion and all efforts they are
making to ensure an effective and efficient implementation of PACT.
The Group is pleased to register that the Agency together with other
international organisations and partners are joining their efforts on
cancer prevention and control. The Group welcomes the outcomes of the
important meeting held in April 2006, with the objective to establish
joint work with the PPO on integrated missions to assist countries in
setting up their national strategies and to prepare a concept paper on
cervical cancer with a view to approaching potential donors. The Group is
also pleased that a memorandum of understanding was signed in April 2006
with the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (EMRO) to
support the advancement of cancer prevention and treatment in the region.
A proposal for joint action for enhancing cancer control is currently
being considered by EMRO.
While acknowledging the efforts of the Secretariat to address the
shortfall in the funding of PACT, the Group regrets that the Board, in its
meeting of June 2006, was not able to reach consensus regarding the use of
the 2004 cash surplus to partly finance PACT during 2006-2007. Given the
importance and humanitarian nature of the issue, and in view of the urgent
need to provide funding for PACT, the Group hopes that the Board can adopt
the draft resolution contained in the document GOV/2006/25/Mod.1 dated 26
April 2006 and the recommended action in GOV/2006/25/Rev.1, which is
before us today, by consensus.
The Group wishes to emphasize that supporting PACT should be seen as
part of the international community's appropriate response to the
projected 10.3 million people that could be killed by cancer by 2020,
unless the international community acts. The available technology, know
how and material covers only a fraction of the needed radiation treatments
facilities. Over 30 countries still have no access to radiotherapy, an
essential part of the treatment of cancer. In this context, PACT embodies
in a clear way the peaceful use of atomic energy for civilian and
humanitarian purposes. The Group will therefore be tabling a resolution on
PACT at the 50th regular session of the General Conference, and will
continue to do so until concrete and sustainable action is made by the
international community to adequately address this disease.
The Group is therefore pleased to note the Report by the Director
General on the Agency's Cancer Policy, which seeks to develop an
Agency-wide strategy for the implementation of PACT, making use - inter
alia - of available Agency information, identified resources, and of
synergies and interactions across all relevant departments, as well as
raising funds from extra-budgetary resources.
The Group wishes to take this opportunity to express its appreciation
for the financial and other contributions and pledges made by Member
States and others to PACT, and encourages other Member States to similarly
contribute to the PACT to enable the PPO to implement its strategy
including establishing regional networks on cancer training centres in
Africa, Asia and Latin America over the next three to five years. The
Group calls upon all contributors to provide the Secretariat with required
flexibility in the use of their voluntary contributions.
Mr. Chairman,
The Group welcomes the increasing membership and developments under
INPRO, since the last General Conference, and notes with appreciation in
particular the completion of Phase-1B. The Group looks forward to the
publication of the User's manual covering all areas of INPRO methodology,
which will assist Member States in assessing innovative nuclear energy
systems (INS) and identifying promising ones, which can contribute to
sustainable development.
The Group further notes the development of INPRO portal and the
organization of training at a workshop on the application of INPRO
methodology for participants from 28 countries including 10 non-INPRO
members.
The Group notes the proposal to review the INPRO manual chapter on
economics by the GIF working group and encourages complementary and
increased cooperation with Generation IV International Forum for
innovative technology development.
Under Major programme 1, the Group notes with appreciation the
efforts of the Agency to assist interested Member States in innovative
nuclear technology development through scientific and technical
information exchange and collaborative R&D, specifically through the
publication of TECDOCS at the conclusion of relevant CRP's leading to the
establishment of Thermo-Physical Materials Properties database for light
water reactors and Heavy water reactors.
In the area of issues related to Fast reactors, the Group notes the
organisation of technical meetings providing a global forum for
information exchange.
The Group notes and encourages collaborative efforts by the Agency
with OECD/NEA on ADS for energy production and transmutation of long lived
nuclides, the research activities in High Temperature Gas Cooled reactors,
software up gradation in nuclear desalination and initiation of a new
Coordinated Research Project (CRP) on Small and Medium sized reactors
without on-site refuelling and on nuclear data relevant for the
Thorium/Uranium fuel cycle providing data for design calculations of
innovative fuel cycles. It also notes the publication of reports issues
related to Small and Medium-sized Reactors (SMRs).
On non-power applications, the Group looks forward to the progress of
the new project on nuclear hydrogen production, which will facilitate
information exchange and coordinate research and development work and the
tool for the economic evaluation of nuclear and non-nuclear production
methods.
The Group notes that in view of the increased demand for uranium, the
Agency has reoriented its programme to meet the needs of Member States and
organised Technical Meetings and intends to publish reports based on the
outcome of these in order to outline the best practices in Uranium
exploration and production cycle.
The Group appreciates all Agency's initiatives aimed at improving
power reactor fuel performance and the management of spent fuel through
relevant CRPs and looks forward to the publication of the report on
fissile material management strategies for sustainable nuclear energy
beyond 2050.
Mr. Chairman,
The Group notes that there has been a significant increase since
GC-49 in the number of Member States expressing interest in nuclear power.
In this context, the establishment of an inter-departmental group in
the Secretariat to develop a coordinated approach to providing support to
interested Member States is noted. It is further noted that this group has
identified several policy issues and has proposed means of improving
coordination within the Agency of the required actions.
The Group also notes that under MP-1 project, strengthening national
and regional nuclear power structures, the publication of a TECDOC
providing initial guidance on the infrastructure a country needs to
develop in order to ensure its preparedness for introducing nuclear power.
The Group also looks forward to publication of another document, which
will serve as a supplement to the earlier one on all related issues. The
Group further notes that this will provide guidance on what can be
achieved on short-term basis by Member States planning to introduce
nuclear power.
The Group notes that there are currently TC projects related to the
development of Nuclear Power Plants for six Member States as well as
others for production of desalinated water and also several others for
energy planning for countries which do not operate NPPs and would like to
be kept informed on the status and progress of these periodically.
On future issues, the Group encourages the Agency to work out cost
effective strategies to address the various aspects identified.
Mr. Chairman,
The Group wishes to express its full support to all activities of the
Agency undertaken and envisaged under Nuclear Knowledge. In particular, it
notes the strategy paper "Role and Strategy of the IAEA in helping
Member States to Manage Nuclear Knowledge" which identifies several
key areas to be addressed by the Agency with a view towards meeting this
objective.
The Group also notes with appreciation the publication of guidance
documents on 'Knowledge Management for Nuclear Industry Operating
Organizations' and 'Risk management of Knowledge loss in Nuclear Industry
Organizations' and the organization of workshops in the four TC regions
under the Agency's TC programme.
The Group endorses the Agency support to the World Nuclear University
Summer Institute fellows. The Group firmly believes that this activity
provides a very cost-effective solution of ensuring the availability of
qualified manpower for the nuclear sector and encourages the Agency to
continue to support a significant number of candidates from developing
countries as during the first summer institute.
The Group commends the Agency on its ANENT platform established in
2004 and operational in 2005, which provides a long-distance learning
platform for teachers and students and also for adopting guidelines for
developing human resources for nuclear science and technology including
the establishment of African Education Network in Nuclear Science and
Technology (AFRA-NEST) at a regional meeting in Senegal in July 2005.
In the context of preserving Nuclear Knowledge, the Group appreciates
the Fast Reactor Knowledge preservation initiative and the active
contribution of International Nuclear Information Service (INIS) to the
preservation of information with the digitization of over 1.5 million
pages as part of non-conventional literature (NCL) collection.
The Group encourages the Agency to explore and assess options for
coordinated implementation and synergies between INIS and Library and
Information Support to be used for Agency's nuclear knowledge preservation
activities.
Mr Chairman,
The Group of 77 and China thanks the Secretariat for the revised
version of the report on Programme of Action on Cancer Therapy (PACT) and
wishes to express its appreciations to the Pact Programme Office (PPO) and
its staff for the devotion and all efforts they are making to ensure an
effective and efficient implementation of PACT.
The Group is pleased to note that a consensus is now possible on the
proposed decision to suspend the rule 7.03 (c) of Financial Regulations
until 31 October 2006 on an exceptional basis. This decision will allow
Member states to notify the Secretariat whether they wish to voluntarily
contribute all or part of their respective individual allocations of the
final cash surplus from the 2004 regular budget towards the minimum
funding requirements of PACT in 2006 and 2007.
G77 and China congratulates you for this achievement and expresses
appreciation to Member States for their flexibility and to the Secretariat
for the efforts to address the shortfall in the funding of PACT. The Group
calls on all Member States to notify to the Secretariat, by October 31st,
that they give up their share of the cash surplus from the 2004 to permit
its use for meeting the urgent requirements and probably funding other
activities of the programme.
Mr Chairman,
Given the importance and humanitarian nature of the issue, the Group
wishes to emphasize that supporting PACT should be seen as part of the
international community's appropriate response to the projected 10.3
million deaths that could be caused by cancer by 2020, unless the
international community acts. In this context, PACT embodies in a clear
way the peaceful use of atomic energy for civilian and humanitarian
purposes. The Group is therefore pleased that its draft resolution on
PACT has been adopted by consensus at the 50th regular session of the
General Conference.
The Group wishes to take this opportunity to express its appreciation
for the financial and other contributions and pledges made by Member
States and others to PACT, and encourages other Member States to similarly
contribute to this programme to enable the PPO to implement its strategy
including establishing regional networks on cancer training centres in
Africa, Asia and Latin America over the next three to five years. The
Group encourages all contributors to provide the Secretariat with required
flexibility in the use of their voluntary contributions.
I thank you Mr Chairman.
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