Thank you Mr.
Chairman,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of
the Non-Aligned States Parties to the Treaty for the Non-Proliferation
of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) on the cluster of issues III on peaceful uses
of nuclear technology. Although reference to this issue has been made
in the NAM statement delivered during the General Debate, I wish to
highlight some important points.
2.
NAM States
Parties to the NPT again restate their principled position that it is
the basic and inalienable right of all Member States to develop atomic
energy for peaceful purposes as reaffirmed in Article IV of the NPT.
NAM also underscores the high importance towards achieving the
appropriate balance between the rights of Member States and of their
obligations, as well as maintaining appropriate balance between the
three main pillars of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
viz. technical cooperation, safety and verification.
3.
In this
context, the role of the IAEA as an independent intergovernmental,
science and technology-based organization, in the United Nations
system, not only serves as the sole verification agency for nuclear
safeguards but also the principal global focal point for nuclear
technical cooperation.
4.
The IAEA assists developing Member States
in planning for and use of nuclear science and technology for various
peaceful purposes, especially in the context of achieving social and
economic goals, including,
inter alia, the generation of
electricity, and also to facilitate the transfer of such technology
and knowledge in a sustainable manner
5.
NAM wishes to recall that Articles II, III A-1, III A-2, III
A-3,III A-4, III B of the IAEA Statute stipulate the rights of its
Member States for the use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes and
to promote socio-economic development throughout the world by way of
technical cooperation. Furthermore, Article III-A.2 refers to
the development and
practical application of
atomic energy for peaceful purpose, particularly the production
of electric power with due consideration for needs of the developing
countries of the world.
Mr. Chairman,
6.
Article IV of the NPT provides for the inalienable right of all
the Parties to the Treaty to develop research, production and use of
nuclear energy for peaceful purposes without discrimination and their
right for technical cooperation among themselves or other
international organizations keeping in view the needs of the
developing areas of the world
7.
Nevertheless, NAM States Parties continue to note with concern
that undue restrictions on exports to developing countries of
material, equipment and technology for peaceful purposes persist. NAM
re-emphasises that proliferation concerns are best addressed through
multilaterally negotiated, universal, comprehensive and
non-discriminatory treaty-based agreements. Non-proliferation control
arrangements should be internationally negotiated, transparent and
open to participation by all States and should ensure that they do not
impose restrictions on access to material, equipment and technology
for peaceful purposes required by developing countries for continued
development.
Mr. Chairman,
8.
The IAEA, under its statutory obligations, pursues the goals of
technical cooperation in peaceful applications of nuclear energy as
one of the three pillars of its activities. In order to meet the
objectives of technical cooperation for peaceful purposes as enshrined
in the Statute of the IAEA and in the NPT, the IAEA has to maintain
the balance between the technical cooperation programme and other
activities.
9.
All States Parties to the NPT Members of IAEA, pursuing the
same goals of technical cooperation and peaceful application of atomic
energy, have to ensure that the technical cooperation programme
remains firm and sustainable through adequate financial and human
resources in an assured and predictable manner.
We believe that the efficacy of the technical cooperation
programme can best be ensured by the formulation of the programme and
strategies strictly in accordance to the needs of the developing
countries.
10.
NAM States Parties to the NPT also recall the statement by the
IAEA Director General before the 47th Regular Session of
the IAEA General Conference that the peaceful uses and applications of
nuclear technologies has been increasing and will continue to be so in
the future, based on the provisions of the IAEA.
11.
It is in this framework that NAM States Parties to the NPT
Members of IAEA express their appreciation on the elements of the
package proposal approved by the IAEA in 2003 and consider its
necessary that strong commitment by all concerned parties be
demonstrated through actively pursuing the agreed elements of the
package proposal relevant to technical cooperation and other measures.
12.
Finally Mr. Chairman, NAM believes that the IAEA Technical
Cooperation Programme is one of the best ways to promote the peaceful
uses of atomic energy.
Thank you Mr. Chairman.