Statement by Agenda Item 14: New York, 03 November, 2003
My delegation has listened with great enthusiasm and duly observed the comprehensive statement conveyed by the Director-General of IAEA, who has highlighted the work and the development of the IAEA during 2002-2003. The Indonesian delegation would also like to take this opportunity to express its continued appreciation to the Director-General and the Secretariat of the IAEA for their significant and valuable work in fulfilling the three pillars of the Agency’s mandate, namely the areas of technology, safety and verification. Indonesia pledges its full support and is of the strong conviction that the IAEA, as a related and respective agency within the UN System, must continue to uphold and maintain its central and universal role in addressing the enormous challenges ahead. Mr. President, Pursuant to the Technical Cooperation
(TC) Report for 2002 and the Agency’s underlying mission to
promote “Atoms for Peace”, and its commitment to expand
the contribution of nuclear technologies to enhance peace and development,
our delegation appreciates the efforts made in not only drawing from
the TC Fund but also in areas such as the nuclear science and applications
program, where the Agency commits around 50 to 60 % of its resources,
directly and indirectly to TC. We note with satisfaction that 87 country
program frameworks (CPF), utilized as planning tools to design TC
projects within the context of national priorities are now in place.
My delegation expresses its satisfaction with the Agency’s efforts
to expand and intensify the application of nuclear science and technology
with a view to promoting the quality of life of the people in particular
in the developing countries. We appreciate the TC programs, which
have significantly assisted member countries in developing human resources
and technical facilities to foster the capabilities in various important
areas. Mr. President, Indonesia notes the progress made in the field of nuclear verification. Based on the Safeguards Implementation Report (SIR) for 2002 of the IAEA, it is now the case that 145 States have safeguards agreements in force and the nuclear material and other items placed under safeguards remain in peaceful use or are otherwise adequately accounted for. Indonesia also notes the progress made by the Agency in approving the additional protocol, which will reach approximately 80 member states. However, Indonesia is concerned by the fact that only 35 states have brought the additional protocols into force and that 46 States party to the NPT still do not have the required safeguards agreements with the Agency. Therefore, in line with GC(47)/RES/11 on strengthening the effectiveness and improving the efficiency of the safeguards system and application of the Model Additional Protocol, Indonesia calls upon all States to conclude and bring into force the respective legal instruments in order to enable the Agency to give credible and comprehensive assurances regarding all States that have made non-proliferation commitments, including conclusions on the absence of undeclared nuclear material and activities. To this end, Indonesia has enforced both the comprehensive safeguards agreement and the additional protocol and now is in the process of implementing the framework for integrated safeguards. We strongly believe that these measures will strengthen the effectiveness and improve the efficiency of the safeguards system and the application of the model additional protocol, as well as the verification system of the Agency. Mr. Chairman, In the field of nuclear security and safety, Indonesia commends the Agency’s effort to assist Member States in increasing their nuclear security and the Agency’s high priority on setting up measures to prevent the theft of nuclear material and the sabotage of nuclear facilities. The Agency’s shared concern over the risk of radiological terrorism has given increased emphasis to improve the security of other radioactive material and to counter illicit-trafficking. Indonesia stresses the importance of the continuation of the activities proposed by the Director General reported to Board of Governors entitled Protection Against Nuclear Terrorism: Specific Proposals (GOV/2002/10). In this connection, Indonesia reiterates its shared view that nuclear security must be one of the world’s priorities and accordingly calls upon all concerned parties to do their utmost in supporting efforts to strengthen international cooperation in nuclear, radiation, transport and waste safety, as highlighted through the 47th General Conference resolutions, GC(47)/RES/7A and GC(47)/RES/8, on nuclear and radiological security – progress on measures to protect against nuclear and radiological terrorism. Considering the geographic condition of its territory, Indonesia solicited the Agency and its Member States to assist its capability in developing measures against nuclear terror, emergency actions and recovery measures in case of nuclear terror. In light of this, and in anticipation of some uncertainties with respect to nuclear security, Indonesia also shares some concerns of coastal states on nuclear transport safety, namely the increasing danger of “accidents” caused by nature, human error or by criminal or terrorist acts. Indonesia commends the Agency for having convened the International Conference on the Safety of Transport of Radioactive Material, which was held in Vienna from 7-11 July 2003 and welcomes the constructive discussions of the issues at the Conference and the President’s Summary and Findings. In line with GC(47)/RES/7C, Indonesia supports the requests that the Agency develop an Action Plan, in consultation with Member States on the safe transport of radioactive material. Thank you.
|
