Agenda Item 3. Measures to strengthen international cooperation in Nuclear, Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety
International Atomic Energy Agency
Board of Governors’ Meetings
(September, 2018)
Agenda Item 3
Measures to strengthen international cooperation in Nuclear, Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety
Statement by the Governor for India
Ambassador Renu Pall
Mr. Chairman
We associate with the G-77 and China Statement delivered by the distinguished Ambassador of Ecuador and would like to add a few additional remarks.
Mr. Chairman
Nuclear safety is the bedrock of the future of nuclear energy and its various applications. India, therefore, appreciates the Agency’s continued programme for periodically revising the IAEA Safety Standards and taking cognizance of the current state of technology development, innovative designs and experience of the current range of nuclear reactors. In this context we would like to encourage the Secretariat to put more focus on SMRs and innovative technology such as Sodium cooled fast reactors.
India has longstanding commitment to the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. India has been cooperating at the multilateral level in peaceful uses of nuclear energy and advancement of nuclear science and technology, through active participation in the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) and the Nuclear Energy Agency of OECD.
India and Bangladesh have an Inter-governmental Agreement since April 2017 to develop mutually beneficial economic, scientific and technical cooperation for the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. This collaboration includes the exchange of technical information and cooperation in the regulation of nuclear safety.
An Inter-Agency Agreement between the Global Centre for Nuclear Energy Partnership (GCNEP), India and the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC) was signed in April 2018 to facilitate cooperation in nuclear power plant projects in Bangladesh.
The GCNEP is developing as a global centre for excellence in research and training. Through this, India continues to forge global partnerships for development of technologies and processes, including safety and security aspects to promote sustainable, safe and secure uses of nuclear energy. India looks forward to the further strengthening of the partnership between the IAEA, interested Member States and the GCNEP.
Mr. Chairman
Radiation protection is becoming an increasingly important issue in the context of naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM), occupational exposure and medical exposure. We welcome the Agency’s programme to address this issue and encourage the idea that events related to radiation protection be held on a regular basis to benefit member states.
‘The Convention on Early Notification of a Nuclear Accident’ and the ‘Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency’ are the bedrock for coordinating international response during emergencies. India is committed to providing assistance through provision of technical experts and equipment, for responding to any emergency situation, as and when a specific request is received from the IAEA.
India is pleased to contribute to the IAEA through its participation in various Committees. In the past, India has hosted several IAEA Workshops and Technical Meetings and has also offered the services of its experts under Technical Cooperation Programmes.
Mr. Chairman
With these comments, our delegation endorses the recommended actions contained in document GOV/2018/31-GC (62)/11.
Thank You, Mr. Chairman
