Agenda Item 10: The IAEA and the Covid pandemic
International Atomic Energy Agency
Board of Governors’ Meetings (June 15, 2020)
Agenda Item 10: The IAEA and the Covid pandemic
Statement by Sh. Subhash P. Gupta, Counsellor and Cd’A a.i.
Madam Chair,
1. We associate ourselves with the Statement made by the distinguished Ambassador of Malaysia on behalf of G-77 and China and would like to add the following remarks in our national capacity.
2. We express solidarity with all Member States of the Agency who have been affected by the COVID-19 global pandemic.
3. We appreciate the efforts of the Director General and the Secretariat to ensure that the activities of the Agency continue to be carried out as much as possible, in spite of the current difficult situation pertinent to the pandemic. We also wish to acknowledge the important role of Member States' national authorities and relevant national entities in ensuring Agency's continued access to nuclear facilities, movement across borders and other facilitation provided in these difficult times.
4. We commend the initiative of the Director General in providing assistance to Member States in their efforts to tackle the effects of the pandemic, including through the nuclear derived techniques and related equipment. In this regard, we take note of the new initiative titled ZODIAC (Zoonotic Disease Integrated Action) presented by the Director General in his report focusing on assisting Members States in building and strengthening resilience to future outbreaks of zoonotic diseases by making available access to equipment, technology packages, expertise, training and certification support. We look forward to further information about this initiative.
5. India took early action to combat corona virus starting with travel restrictions in January and a nationwide lockdown in March earlier this year. The high value attached to human life has shaped our approach. While continuing with measures to effectively combat Corona virus, we are in the process of gradual removal of restrictions imposed during the lockdown. To revive the economic growth, Government has announced the New Deal for Atmanirbhar Bharat, a resilient India, which amounts to almost 10% of our GDP.
6. We have extended assistance to friendly countries including supply of medicines. We have shared our experiences, through regional and plurilateral organisation such as SAARC, BRICS, G-20 as well as in the UN, in dealing with Covid -19 and discussed the way to develop a positive agenda for the post Covid-19 period. The Prime Minister has announced a USD 10 million COVID-19 Emergency Fund which has been operationalized to deliver urgent medical supplies, equipment and humanitarian assistance to our neighbours.
7. The world is confronted with a grave peril presently,and our response to it will define our future. India will continue to work with the international community, and the IAEA, to overcome the challenges posed by this Global pandemic.
Thank You.
