Agenda Item 4 : Strengthening of the Agency’s technical cooperation activities Technical Cooperation Report for 2020
International Atomic Energy Agency
Board of Governors’ Meetings (07 June 2021)
Agenda Item 4 : Strengthening of the Agency’s technical cooperation activities Technical Cooperation Report for 2020
Statement by Sh. Jaideep Mazumdar , Ambassador of India
Madam Chair,
We associate ourselves with the statement delivered by the distinguished Ambassador of Costa Rica on behalf of G-77 and China, and would like to make the following additional remarks.
Madam Chair,
India believes that the Technical Cooperation Programme is central to the mandate of the IAEA in promoting the “contribution of Atomic Energy to Peace, Health and Prosperity throughout the world”. For this core statutory function to be successful, it is important that the Technical Cooperation Programme is adequately resourced. In this context, the rate of attainment of TCF target in 2020 at 91.1% is a welcome development. We would like to emphasize that the TC programme is a shared responsibility, and therefore exhort all Member States to fulfil their individual responsibility and contribute to the Technical Cooperation Fund on time and in full to assure its required funding. India consistently pays its contribution in full and on time, and participates as a donor, and also provides considerable technical expertise and support to many projects of the IAEA’s TC Programme.
Madam Chair,
India’s programmes for non-power applications of nuclear technology are comprehensive and cover production of radio isotopes, development of radiation technology and their applications in areas of healthcare, agriculture, food preservation, industry and research. These make a significant contribution to India’s developmental aspirations. India continues to contribute experts and training infrastructure to help the Agency disseminate Nuclear Techniques and Technology in the developing world. Our Global Centre for Nuclear Energy Partnership (GCNEP) plays a pivotal role in this and closely cooperates with the Agency.
Madam Chair,
We note with satisfaction the efforts under the Programme of Action for Cancer Therapy (PACT) to support cancer control efforts in Member States. The Agency’s successes in supporting Member States in their cancer control priorities and needs, through partnerships, outreach and resource mobilization are well recognised. India continues to support the Agency in the fight against cancer, which is a global challenge. India has donated the indigenous Bhabhatron radiotherapy machine to several countries, most recent being an upgraded version to Madagascar delivered in February 2021 capable of treating up to 50 patients per day. India has a well-functioning National Cancer Grid (NCG) of more than 200 cancer care centres, staffed with specialists. India launched NCG Vishwam Cancer Care Connect at a side event during the 63rd General Conference of IAEA in 2019. With this, the NCG is open to cancer hospitals and other relevant institutions in other countries. Eleven centres outside India are currently part of this grid and we welcome more such centres to join. The objective is to remove disparity in cancer care by sharing expertise and capabilities with other countries. In addition to the NCG and at the bilateral level, India has been supporting many countries in the their fight against cancer.
Madam Chair,
With these comments, we take note of the Technical Cooperation report for 2020, as contained in document GOV/2021/17.
I thank you.
