U.S. Mission to International
Organizations in Vienna

Report of the Technical Assistance and Cooperation Committee 2022

Good morning Chair,

I would like to begin by commending the Director General, the Secretariat, Deputy Director General Liu, and the Technical Cooperation Department staff for their hard work implementing the Technical Cooperation Program. The United States acknowledges the Agency’s critical role in providing technical assistance that effectively responds to the most pressing needs of its Member States and promotes the widespread use of nuclear energy, science, and technology for peaceful purposes. Our history of strong support to the TC Program demonstrates the U.S. commitment to expanding the benefits of peaceful uses pursuant to Article IV of the Non-Proliferation Treaty. It also underscores our deep appreciation that the Technical Cooperation program continues to be an invaluable mechanism for delivering assistance that improves the lives of people around the world.

For over 60 years, the United States has dedicated significant financial and in-kind support to IAEA Technical Cooperation activities. U.S. extrabudgetary contributions, including under the Peaceful Uses Initiative, are being used to address national development priorities spanning the full spectrum of TC activities in health and nutrition, food and agriculture, and other fields. We welcome continued Agency efforts to mobilize support for the new flagship initiatives Rays of Hope, NUTEC Plastics, and ZODIAC, which address challenges that know no boundaries, such as cancer, infectious diseases, and marine pollution.

Given the scale of these challenges, it is important to build understanding of how nuclear science and technology can contribute to achieving national development priorities and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. We are committed to creating new avenues to increase outreach, acceptance, and access to the benefits of peaceful uses, so that those benefits can be felt by more people. Together with the United Kingdom, we are continuing to engage with the Agency and interested partners to advance the new Sustained Dialogue on Peaceful Uses with the goal of finding new opportunities for cooperation to complement and amplify the Agency’s work.

Chair,

As demonstrated at the Nuclear Power Ministerial recently held in Washington, D.C., the United States recognizes the important role that nuclear power plays in providing zero-carbon, reliable electricity in a way that promotes sustainable development while mitigating climate change.  With this in mind, we acknowledge the Agency’s activities, including through its TC Program, to support Member States that seek to include nuclear power in their national energy mix in a sustainable way that adheres to the highest standards of safety, security, and safeguards.

Chair,

The United States warmly welcomes and strongly supports the proposed new Technical Cooperation project on “Strengthening Radiation Therapy and Medical Imaging in Ukraine.” We stand ready to support relevant activities under this off-cycle, multi-year project with $10 million in extrabudgetary resources pledged by the U.S. Secretary of Energy to increase access to cancer care and help modernize medical infrastructure in Ukraine.

We welcome the work of the Office of Internal Oversight Services in reviewing and making recommendations for improved management and transparency in the planning and implementation of the Technical Cooperation Program. We wish to note our support for its program of work in 2023.

Chair,

With these comments, we would like to thank Canada for ably serving as the Rapporteur for this year’s Technical Assistance and Cooperation Committee report. The United States is pleased to join consensus in approving this report.

Thank you.