May 2022 India Statement Agenda 5 Prog and Budget PBC2022

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IAEA Board of Governors

Programme and Budget Committee (May 9, 2022)

Agenda Item No. 5

The Agency’s Draft Programme and Budget for 2022-2023

Statement by Ambassador Sh. Jaideep Mazumdar

Mr. Chairperson,

My delegation endorses the observations made by the distinguished Ambassador of Morocco on behalf of G-77 and China under this Agenda item and would like to emphasize the following in our national capacity.

We thank the Secretariat for presenting a readable and well-structured document outlining the Agency's Programme and Budget for the second year of the biennium 2022-2023.

We attach great importance to all the core activities of the Agency, namely, Nuclear Energy, Nuclear Applications, Nuclear Safety, Nuclear Security, Nuclear Safeguards and Technical Cooperation.  In this regard, we also firmly believe that there has to be a balance between the promotional and non-promotional activities of the Agency, keeping in mind in particular, the crucial role of the Agency in realization of the Sustainable Development Goals by its Member States.

We take note of the zero real growth in the budget for 2023 and also the continuing cost saving and efficiencies of more than 10 million euros per annum as reported in the agency’s programme and budget 2022-23. We also take note and welcome that the Agency has quickly and effectively adapted to the new environment imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and continued to deliver on its mandate

We also attach great importance to the efficiency in the working of the Agency while maintaining full effectiveness. A cap of 75% on the human resources component of the total operational Regular Budget for the 2022–2023 biennium and a target to abolish 10% of the FTEs (Full-time equivalent) that are expected to be vacated during the 2022–2023 biennium are right steps towards achieving efficiency.  In this regard, we would also like to highlight the various recommendations of OIOS and External Auditors to the Agency about methods and practices which can maximize efficiency, increase effectiveness and relevance.

With regard to Agency’s unfunded After Service Health Insurance (ASHI) liability, we await more options, taking into account good practices from United Nations system organizations and other international organizations and considering cost containment measures that would mitigate ASHI liabilities.

Mr. Chairperson

With these comments, our delegation takes note of the Agency’s Draft Budget Update for 2023, as contained in document GOV/2022/1.

I thank you.