Summary: 16 October 2009, New York - Statement on behalf of the European Union by Mr. Staffan Hemrå, Counsellor, Permanent Mission of Sweden to the United Nations, at the Fourth Committee General Debate on the Effects of Atomic Radiation, United Nations
Thank you Mr Chairman,
I speak on behalf of the European Union.
The Candidate Countries Croatia*, Turkey and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*, the countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Hercegovina and Serbia, as well as Armenia and Ukraine.
The EU would like to commend the work of the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation. The work and assessments performed by the Committee is hugely important. Since 1955, the Committee has played an important role in improving international scientific understanding of the levels of exposure to ionizing radiation and its health and environmental effects. The evaluations of the Committee have often underpinned significant actions at the governmental level. On the
basis of its scientific authority the Committee is essential in supplying the international community with information within various areas connected to the sources, exposures and effects of ionising radiation. One such area where further knowledge is required is the effects and risks of chronic low level exposures on human health and the environment.
As put forward in the letter from the Chairman of the Committee to the President of the General Assembly, there is an identified need of streamlining the worldwide collection of data on radiation exposure. This in order to produce high quality assessments and to improve data collection, analysis and dissemination, given the increasing magnitude, complexity and diversity of relevant scientific data. The planned expert group meetings, connecting organizations and agencies involved in the use and
surveillance of radiation, is a positive step in this respect. The European Member States reaffirms its willingness to provide all relevant new information to the Committee for its examination.
It is unfortunate that the Committee was forced to postpone its fifty-seventh session. This illustrates the insufficient budgetary and personnel resources under which the Committee has to perform. Delay in publication of Committee reports is regrettable and the EU therefore gives full support to the planned expert group meetings intended to help keep the process in motion. The EU also notes that the need for increased funding, as pointed out both in reports of the Committee as well as in
previous resolutions, has been acknowledged, through the reallocation of existing resources, in the biannual budget request of the Secretary-General.
The EU looks forward to an informed early decision on the membership of the Scientific Committee, including the six observers. The EU also looks forward to the re-vitalizing of the Committee through development of criteria that will ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of the work of the Committee.
Thank you Mr. Chairman.
* Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process
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