Intl Atomic Energy Authorities
The 52nd Session of the International Atomic Energy Authorities' (IAEA)General Conference was held recently in Vienna.
At this meting three new member countries, namely, Oman, Papua New Guinea and Lesotho joined the IAEA.
Dr. Giammi Ghisi, Ambassador of Italy was elected as the President of the 52nd General Conference of the IAEA. The outgoing President was Mr. Mouin Hamza of Lebanon.
Professor Tissa Vitarana, the Minister of Science & Technology who participated at this conference emphasized on the importance of IAEA which undertakes its role to develop nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, based on the safe use of technology for economic and social development. "We believe that balanced, impartial and non-political pursuit is essential to ensure global peace, security and sustainable development in partnership with all the member states. It is heartening that the IAEA withstood much of these pressures and acted in an impartial and objective manner." said the Minister.
The Minister highlighted the fact that the world is faced with a huge energy crisis with the impending end of the era of fossil fuels." Research to advance sources of renewable energy holds great promise. Nuclear energy has cheaper ways of trapping solar energy, the main established technology that can meet the increasing demands for adequate power."
Professor Vitarana stated that every country should have the right to obtain the benefits of nuclear energy through fission in a responsible manner, avoiding the grave dangers of the misuse of this technology. "To enable this IAEA should actively support and supervise these efforts."
"The correct environment for progress in this field would exist only when all nations destroy existing nuclear weapons and sign an agreement for a total ban on the production and use of nuclear weapons." Professor Vitarana urged all governments to speedily move in this direction. He stated that without commitment to this, in the context of global power struggles, the implementation of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons becomes difficult. "However it must be ensured with the cooperation of the IAEA." He said.
Professor Vitarana stated that the assistance of the Agency through technical cooperation has enabled Sri Lanka to develop capacity building in major sectors such as industry, agriculture, human health, nutrition and radiation protection. According to him during the past years Sri Lanka has obtained technical assistance for the important national areas such as improving micronutrient health status of adolescent girls through dietary modification and improving the quality of radiotherapy services in Sri Lanka. "The technical assistance obtained for the molecular diagnosis of major infectious diseases has contributed to benefit the people of Sri Lanka directly as its technology and trained manpower has been effectively utilized to diagnose the outbreak of diseases such as Dengue, Malaria and Chikungunya.
He pointed out that cancer incidences in Sri Lanka is increasing and suggested to launch a Programme of Action for Cancer Therapy to curb and reduce cancer in Sri Lanka. The Minister also stated that the government of Sri Lanka has already made it mandatory for screening of females over 40 years of age and in the initial stage all female teachers working in government schools have been screened for cancer at government expense. "The Atomic Energy Authority closely coordinates with the Ministry of Health and the National Cancer Control Programme to implement the recommendations given by the PACT mission." The Minister mentioned that Sri Lanka provides free medical facilities to all its citizens and stated that considering the importance of the health sector for the people of our country. Hence the assistance of the Agency is required for future development initiatives.
The Minister pointed out that the government of Sri Lanka needs further technical assistance from the IAEA in a number of areas such as a programme of nuclear power planning with technical cooperation to solve the energy crisis.
The INSServ mission is scheduled to visit Sri Lanka from 6-10 October 2008 and the outcome of their mission will be important to the country programme in regard to nuclear security.
Sri Lanka has already signed and ratified the UN Convention for Suppression of Nuclear Terrorism. The country has also taken several initiatives to prevent illicit trafficking of nuclear materials through Sri Lankan ports. It has also taken measures to inspect and monitor radiation materials and strictly adheres to licensing procedures for the physical protection of such materials in the country.
Professor Vitarana also suggested that IAEA provides assistance for developing national capabilities of Sri Lankans to respond to radiological emergencies which Sri Lanka considers a high priority. He said that the establishment of a national centre for environmental radiation and monitoring facility to meet radiological emergencies has become important. "Sri Lanka is one of the first four countries to collaborate in coordinating international assistance in case of radiological accidents, as was reported at UN headquarters in February 2008."
According to the Technical Cooperation report, the implementation rate of the programme was 74.9% for 2007 and a large portion of funds to the Agency has been allocated to areas related to human health and food and agriculture - 28.3% and 12.8% respectively.
"The Technical Corporation Fund Target is not sufficient to meet the needs of developing countries. We believe that sufficient and predictable funds must be allocated to the Technical Corporation Fund."
Professor Vitarana stated that signing of the agreement with an Indian supplier to purchase the Multipurpose Gamma Irradiation Facility is a milestone of the government's effort to harness nuclear technology for socioeconomic development. "The government of Sri Lanka has given a high priority for this programme and Sri Lanka needs further assistance from the Agency for the successful implementation of this project."
The Minister explained that Sri Lanka hosted three international events in Colombo related to IAEA, RCA and RCARO activities of the Agency. He stated that Sri Lanka looks forward to host similar IAEA events in the future.
He emphasized the importance of discussing and debating further about the recommendations made in the report.
