Agenda Item - 5 Strengthening the Agency’s activities related to Nuclear Science, Technology and Applications
International Atomic Energy Agency
Board of Governors’ Meetings
(September, 2019)
Agenda Item - 5
Strengthening the Agency’s activities related to Nuclear Science, Technology and Applications
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.
2. We appreciate the Agencys role in the area of nuclear science, technology and applications, with special emphasis on supporting the development of nuclear applications in Member States with a view to strengthening infrastructures and fostering science, technology and engineering for meeting sustainable growth and development goals.
3. We welcome the Agency’s effort in supporting member states, embarking on new nuclear power programmes, in building their national nuclear power infrastructure as well as to member states with existing nuclear power programmes.
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4. We also appreciate the steps taken by the Agency in relation to innovative reactor systems, including fast neutron systems, high temperature rectors, thermo-nuclear experimental reactors, that would lay the foundation for Member States, to plan construction and operation of these systems in the coming decade.
5. The support provided by the Agency in relation to the SMRs, to develop key enabling technologies would enhance energy availability and supply both in expanding and embarking countries. We encourage the Agency to continue its support in this area as the SMRs have the potential to play an important role in diverse applications.
6. We note the strengthening of the Agency’s activities in the area of fusion science and technology and the signing of practical agreements with International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) organization. India has been actively participating in the ITER project and we are pleased to state that we have contributed the single largest state of the art equipment of the ITER project – “the CRYOSTAT” that will house the whole tokamak in its womb.
Madam Chair
7. India believes that apart from the reactor technology area, the Agency’s programme and achievements under nuclear applications in food and agriculture, human health and nutrition, water resource management, protection of the environment, and industry will assist in meeting the aspirations of developing countries. In this context, the Agency´s support to Member States in the field of medical and industrial radioisotopes and radiopharmaceuticals production and in exploring the use of accelerators for various radiation technology applications deserve special mention.
8. We also appreciate the Agency’s collaborations and joint initiatives with various United Nations organizations, including WHO, to address the issues of malnutrition and non-communicable diseases.
9. India has developed a National Cancer Grid (NCG) with the broad vision of creating uniform standards of cancer care across the country, comprising of all the stakeholders in cancer care, including cancer centres, research institutes, patient advocacy groups, charitable organizations and professional societies. Within a short span of seven years, the National Cancer Grid has become a powerful tool for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of this disease. We would like to suggest a global cancer care network and we invite all Member states to attend our side event on this subject on the sidelines of the forthcoming 63rd General Conference in Vienna.
Madam Chair
10. We welcome the strengthening of Agency’s cooperation with United Nations Organizations and its programs which would serve the cause of addressing climate change in a more effective manner. The upcoming “International Conference on Climate change and the Role of Nuclear Power” in October this year would improve understanding of the potential contribution of nuclear power in addressing Sustainable Development Goals and climate change.
11. With these comments, we take note of the recommended actions contained in document GOV/2019/26-GC (63)/3 and endorse its transmission to the General Conference at its 63rd regular session.
Thank You, Madam Chair
