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Thank you Mr Chairman.
New Zealand thanks the Director General and the Secretariat for the 2010 Report on Measures to strengthen international cooperation in nuclear, radiation, transport and waste safety. Nuclear safety is a critical element of the IAEA’s mandate and New Zealand wishes to commend the Agency for its work in this very important area.
Mr Chairman
The safe maritime transport of radioactive materials is an issue of key importance for New Zealand. In this context we welcome the reference to the 2009 meeting of coastal and shipping states, which formed part of the ongoing dialogue aimed at improving mutual understanding, confidence building and enhanced communication in relation to the safe maritime transport of radioactive material. The next meeting of interested states will take place in the margins of the 2010 General Conference and will focus on responding to a maritime emergency involving the transport of radioactive material. It is New Zealand’s hope that these meetings will lead to further tangible progress towards addressing the concerns of both coastal and shipping states.
New Zealand also welcomes the Agency’s work to develop a draft proposal for discussion on how appropriate information can be made available to authorities responding to an emergency involving the maritime transport of radioactive material, and hopes that the 2010 meeting of coastal and shipping states can contribute to this proposal. Noting that the International Maritime Organisation has agreed to be involved in this process, we look forward to its discussion at the next meeting of the Transport Safety Standards Committee in Vienna.
Mr Chairman
New Zealand notes with interest the increase in activities undertaken in the field of incident and emergency preparedness and response. We believe that the ability to adequately respond to a nuclear or radiological emergency remains a central element of international nuclear safety, including but certainly not limited to transport safety. We welcome the Agency’s initiatives in this field and look forward to supporting their further development in 2011.
New Zealand notes the completion of the International Action Plan for Strengthening the International Preparedness and Response System for Nuclear and Radiological Emergencies. This Action Plan identified three main areas for strengthening the international emergency preparedness and response system, namely international communications, international assistance, and sustainable infrastructure. We note that the final report on activities, outputs and recommendations arising from Action Plan has been prepared and that a concerted effort is required by all Member States and international organisations to ensure their full implementation. New Zealand looks forward to playing its part in this process.
Mr Chairman
New Zealand would like to note its strong support for the continued work of the International Experts Group on Nuclear Liability (INLEX), particularly in its examination of gaps and ambiguities in the nuclear liability regime. In this regard we would like to highlight section E of this report dealing with civil liability for nuclear damage.
Having an effective nuclear liability regime in place to ensure against harm to human health and the environment, as well as possible economic loss due to an incident or accident during the maritime transport of radioactive materials is a key priority for New Zealand. This has particular significance in our region given the fragility of communities in the South Pacific that are dependent on the environment for their economic livelihoods. INLEX continues to serve as the Agency’s main forum for dealing with questions related to nuclear liability and we look forward to the Group’s further work in these areas.
Finally, Mr Chairman, New Zealand takes note of the draft safety requirements on the safety of nuclear power plants, specifically addressing plant commissioning and operation and support the related recommendations submitted for the decision of the Board.
Thank you Mr Chairman.
