May 2022 India Statement Agenda 3 Prog Evaln Report- PBC2022

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IAEA Board of Governors

Programme and Budget Committee (May 9, 2022)

Agenda Item No. 3

The 2021 Internal Audit, Management Services and Investigations Report and the 2021 Programme Evaluation Report

Statement by Ambassador Jaideep Mazumdar

Mr. Chairperson,

          We endorse the observations made by the distinguished Ambassador of Morocco on behalf of G-77 and China under this Agenda item and would like to add the following remarks.

The Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), with its independent audit and evaluation functions, strengthens the Agency’s ability to ensure management efficiency and programme effectiveness and to enhance accountability. Their report contains a large number of observations and recommendations pertinent to improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the Agency’s performance. We recognize the benefits of these evaluations and urge the Secretariat to carefully consider the OIOS recommendations for implementation in consultation with Member States, as necessary.

OIOS has prioritized the audit and evaluation of different agency's programmes in a rational framework. We take note that five of the audited areas were rated as ‘some improvement needed’, and one as ‘major improvement needed’. It is heartening to note that the IT Security Testing has received an improved rating compared to the rating received in 2020. In the era of digitalization and use of electronic media for the long-term storage of agency records, it is important to have a robust security system to protect them from threats and ensure information security. We also welcome the audit of the Division of Operations of the Department of Safeguards for the first time and take note of the findings. With an expected increase in the contribution of nuclear power to  combat climate change and thus a proportionate increase in the number of safeguarded facilities, such an exercise is timely and appropriate.

An integrated approach between monitoring plastic pollution, remediation through recycling, employing in both nuclear/radiation techniques and the third component of technical cooperation to help member states access the technology is a novel strategic approach of the Agency, that currently supports more than 40 projects in this area. We support such an integrated approach and agree with the suggestion of the report to further leverage expertise from external institutes from member states. 

We note with satisfaction that OIOS will continue revisiting its internal methodologies and processes, and this will include assessing the feasibility of introducing newer methodologies, approaches and tools in the planning, execution and reporting of its work, while expanding the use of data analytics techniques.

We take note also of the presentation of common findings from the 2021 Program Evaluation Report, which should enrich the relevance and usefulness of evaluations to organizational learning and decision making. 

Mr. Chairperson,

With these comments, we take note of the 2021 Internal Audit Activity Report, as contained in document GOV/2022/9, and the 2020 Programme Evaluation Report, contained in document GOV/2022/10

Thank You.