Agenda Item 3 Nuclear and Radiation Safety
International Atomic Energy Agency
Board of Governors’ Meetings
(September, 2019)
Agenda Item 3
Nuclear and Radiation Safety
Statement by the Governor for India
Ambassador Renu Pall
Madam Chair
We associate ourselves with the Statement delivered by the distinguished Ambassador of Egypt on behalf of G-77 and China and would like to add the following additional remarks in our national capacity.
2. Nuclear safety is critical to the future of nuclear energy and its various applications. India, therefore, strongly supports the Agency’s continued programme for periodically revising the IAEA nuclear Safety Standards including those on radiation, transport and waste management safety, taking cognizance of the current state of technology development, innovative designs and experience of the current range of nuclear reactors. In this context, we welcome the publication of the safety requirement document titled ‘Site evaluation for Nuclear Installations’ and the twelve safety guides.
3. The importance of nuclear installation safety cannot be over emphasized in light of the growing utilization of nuclear technology for both power and non-power applications. We appreciate the steps taken by the Agency to focus on various dimensions of this aspect including improvement of overall safety culture and ageing management.
4. We support the Agency’s programs to assist Member States, considering or planning for the introduction of nuclear power or radiation technology, for establishing or strengthening their respective safety infrastructure, regulatory framework and competency in relevant areas. It is important, however, that these programs are regularly reviewed to update them taking into account the evolving needs and lessons learnt and that the Member States have access to regular updates. Such efforts would go a long way in wider and faster adoption and implementation of nuclear technologies among the Member States, and eventually help Member States in achieving their sustainable development goals. With our own experience in providing assistance to newcomers, India will be happy to support the Agency in this area.
Madam Chair
5. Radiation protection is becoming an increasingly important subject in the context of occupational exposure, medical exposure and Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM). We welcome the Agency’s efforts to address this issue and encourage it to organize events related to radiation protection on a regular basis.
6. The imPACT missions and activities carried out for developing training material and methodologies would further enhance cancer control capacity and also improve safety culture in medical applications.
7. India is pleased to contribute to the IAEA through its participation in various Committees and, as in the past, through hosting IAEA Workshops and Technical Meetings and offering the services of its experts under Technical Cooperation Programmes.
Madam Chair
8. With these comments, our delegation endorses the recommended actions contained in the document under this Agenda item.
Thank You, Madam Chair
