Special Political and Decolonization (Fourth) Committee
26 October 2006
Tabling statement on the draft resolution on Agenda item 29, “Effects of atomic radiation”.
Statement by Clare Gatehouse, First Secretary
Australia Permanent Mission to the United Nations
(Check against delivery)
Mr Chairman
Australia, in its capacity as Chair of the fifty-fourth session of the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) has the honour of introducing a draft resolution that endorses UNSCEAR's mandate and encourages its activities.
Since its establishment by the General Assembly in 1955, UNSCEAR has served the vital function of providing authoritative scientific review of the sources and effects of ionizing radiation. March 2006 was the fiftieth anniversary of the first meeting of UNSCEAR and on behalf of my Government I would like to express my congratulations and appreciation to the Committee. Its mandate in the United Nations system was to assess and report levels and effects of exposure to radiation, and the role of the committee has been adapted to address new challenges arising from radiation exposure and the effects on humans and on non-human biota.
As a result, governments and organisations throughout the world now rely on the Committee's estimates as the scientific basis for evaluating radiation risk, establishing radiation protection and safety standards and regulating radiation sources. Within the UN system, these estimates are used by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in discharging its statutory functions of establishing health standards with respect to radiation and providing for their application. In addition, the information provided by the Committee assists the General Assembly in making recommendations, in particular with respect to international cooperation in the field of health.
In this regard, I would like to express my appreciation to the European Union, the IAEA, the International Commission on Radiological Protection, the International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements and the World Health Organisation for their participation in the fifty-forth session of the Scientific Committee as observers.
Mr Chairman
This year marked the twentieth year since the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. In this connection, I also welcome UNSCEAR's continuous contribution in providing the scientific background to gain a better understanding of the radiation health effects of this accident and its commitment to review in detail the effects of the accident on people and the environment after twenty years.
At the same time, there has been some concern that the present level of funding for UNSCEAR's work is inadequate, leading to diminished effectiveness at a time when authoritative reviews of the effects of radiation are likely to take on an increasing importance in many areas, including: assessing the potential effects resulting from the malevolent use of radioactive materials; in the debate on climate change and the role of nuclear power in achieving energy security; and in gaining a deeper understanding of any effects associated with the long-term management of radioactive waste.
This year's draft resolution requests the Scientific Committee to continue to review important issues in the field of ionizing radiation. It also requests the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to continue providing support for the effective conduct of the work of the Scientific Committee, and to review and take steps to ensure the strengthening of the present funding, so that the Committee can reliably discharge its responsibilities and mandate.
Mr Chairman
It is our delegation's sincere hope that the draft resolution will be adopted by consensus, as has been the case in previous years. I would like to extend my appreciation for the support of the current 30 co-sponsors of the draft resolution. Other delegations are also welcome to become co-sponsors of the resolution prior to its adoption.