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Mr. Chairman,
Let me thank the Secretary of UNSCEAR for his presentation. Pakistan greatly appreciates the invaluable contribution that the UN Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation continues to make in promoting wider knowledge and understanding of the levels, effects and risks of atomic and ionizing radiation on human beings and environment, with scientific authority and independence, in fulfillment of its mandate by the General Assembly.
We would like to thank the delegation of Australia, in its capacity as Chair of the 55th Session of the Scientific Committee, for coordinating and introducing the draft resolution. The draft is a balanced and objective reflection of the issues related to the Scientific Committee’s work. Pakistan is pleased to co-sponsor this draft resolution.
The important work done by the Scientific Committee is for the collective benefit of the present and future generations. In supporting this work, it is incumbent on the member states to ensure the timely and efficient provision of adequate resources to the Scientific Committee to enable it to effectively carry out its mandate. It would be unfortunate to allow the work of the Scientific Committee to be hampered by minor administrative or financial constraints.
From the professional perspective, the scientific work of the UNSCEAR is also bound to benefit from assistance, cooperation, contribution and participation by member states. Vast expertise available around the world is there to be tapped to benefit and further enhance and enrich the work of the Scientific Committee. In that regard, we had welcomed that the General Assembly, in its resolution 109 of last year, had decided to consider the question of increase in membership of the Scientific Committee.
In response to the invitation by the General Assembly, Pakistan, along with five other member states, has expressed its keen interest to become a member of the Scientific Committee. Pakistan attaches great significance to enhancing international cooperation in the field of radiation protection. We have the capacity, relevant experience and professional expertise at personnel and organizational levels. Our scientists will bring important contribution to the work of the Scientific Committee.
Pakistan is satisfied that, pursuant to resolution 61/109, the draft resolution under consideration constitutes a further concrete step towards the increase in membership of the Scientific Committee. We look forward to participating as observer in the 56th session of the Scientific Committee and to work together with the members of the Committee. While Pakistan would have preferred a decision this year to increase the membership, we now hope that the financial and administrative issues would be addressed in the intervening period of one year, enabling us to assume full membership of the Scientific Committee immediately thereafter. The prerogative of the General Assembly to decide on this matter must not be delayed by such impediments, as I have mentioned. The consensus adoption of the draft resolution will be a strong signal in that direction. Thank you.