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Strengthening of international cooperation and coordination of efforts to study, mitigate and minimize the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster

On December 17, 2003 the General Assembly of the United Nations has adopted the resolution 58/119 (Strengthening of international cooperation and coordination of efforts to study, mitigate and minimize the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster).

There are 48 states co-authors of the project of the given resolution (last year number of co-authors of the previous resolution there were 37 states). The majority of states-members of the European Union, including the Kingdom of the Netherlands, are among co-authors of the document. Adopted by the GA UN resolution again confirms adherence of countries-donors to resolve and to minimize the problem on of the long-term Chernobyl accident ‘s consequences.

The resolution contains a number of new provisions and reflects those basic events that had taken place within the framework of the international post-Chernobyl cooperation during last two years. First of all , it should be mentioned the preparation of the report of the United Nations «The Humanitarian Consequences of the Accident at the Chernobyl Atomic Power Station: Strategy of Rehabilitation »; secondly , the beginning of the activity under aegis of the United Nations of the International Research and Information Network on Chernobyl; thirdly , the creation of The International Scientific Forum on Chernobyl under aegis of the International Agency on Atomic Energy; fourthly the development of the program CORE « Cooperation for Rehabilitation ».

The Embassy of Belarus in the Kingdom of the Netherlands avails of this opportunity to express its gratitude to all state organizations and NGO, to all Dutch citizens of good-will who carry out cooperation and humanitarian help to the Belarusian people in overcoming the nuclear disaster's consequences.

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Details:

United Nations

General Assembly

Distr.: Limited 12 December 2003

A /58/L.44

Original: English

Fifty-eighth session Agenda item 40 (c)

Strengthening of the coordination of humanitarian and disaster relief assistance of the United Nations, including special economic assistance: strengthening of international cooperation and coordination of efforts to study, mitigate and minimize the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster

Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, China, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Luxembourg, Malawi, Netherlands, Norway, Panama, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, San Marino, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan: draft resolution

“Strengthening of international cooperation and coordination of efforts to study, mitigate and minimize the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster”

The General Assembly,

Reaffirming its resolutions 45/190 of 21 December 1990, 46/150 of 18 December 1991, 47/165 of 18 December 1992, 48/206 of 21 December 1993, 50/134 of 20 December 1995, 52/172 of 16 December 1997, 54/97 of 8 December 1999 and 56/109 of 14 December 2001, as well as resolution 55/171 of 14 December 2000 on closure of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, and taking note of the decisions adopted by the organs, organizations and programmes of the United Nations system in the implementation of those resolutions,

Recalling Economic and Social Council resolutions 1990/50 of 13 July 1990, 1991/51 of 26 July 1991 and 1992/38 of 30 July 1992 and Council decision 1993/232 of 22 July 1993,

Conscious of the long-term nature of the consequences of the disaster at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, which was a major technological catastrophe in terms of its scope and complexity and created humanitarian, environmental, social, economic and health consequences and problems of common concern, requiring for their solution wide and active international cooperation and coordination of efforts in this field at the international and national levels,

Expressing profound concern at the ongoing effects of the consequences of the accident on the lives and health of people, in particular children, in the affected areas of Belarus, the Russian Federation and Ukraine, as well as in other affected countries,

Acknowledging the importance of the national efforts being undertaken by the Governments of Belarus, the Russian Federation and Ukraine to mitigate and minimize the consequences of the Chemobyl disaster,

Noting with appreciation the contribution made by States and by organizations of the United Nations system to the development of cooperation to mitigate and minimize the consequences of the Chemobyl disaster, the activities of regional and other organizations and those of non-governmental organizations, as well as bilateral activities,

Recognizing the importance of continuing international support to the national efforts of the Governments and civil societies of Belarus, the Russian Federation and Ukraine, as the most affected countries, to mitigate and minimize the persisting negative effects of the Chemobyl disaster on the sustainable development of the affected areas as a result of the radiological, health, socio-economic, psychological and environmental consequences of the disaster,

Welcoming the increased role played by the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations resident coordinators and the United Nations country teams in Belarus, the Russian Federation and Ukraine in helping to address both the developmental and the humanitarian consequences of the catastrophe,

Taking note of the United Nations report entitled "The Human Consequences of the Chemobyl Nuclear Accident: A Strategy for Recovery", prepared on the basis of an international needs assessment undertaken in mid-2001 in the affected areas of Belarus, the Russian Federation and Ukraine,

Emphasizing the importance of the new developmental approach to tackling the problems caused by the Chemobyl accident, aimed at normalizing the situation of the individuals and communities concerned in the medium and long term,

Stressing the continued need for a response to the exceptional Chernobyl-related needs, in particular in the areas of health, ecology and research, as the transition is made from the emergency to the recovery phase of mitigation of the consequences of the Chemobyl disaster, as mentioned in the United Nations report entitled "The Human Consequences of the Chemobyl Nuclear Accident: A Strategy for Recovery",

Welcoming the launch of the International Chemobyl Research and Information Network, with the aim of supporting the ongoing international, national and civil society efforts towards the sustainable development of the affected territories by compiling, consolidating and coordinating relevant scientific research, commissioning further research where required, and making available and ensuring the effective dissemination of its findings, which should allow informed decision-making on the phases of long-term recovery and management with a view to improving the complex and diverse humanitarian, ecological, economic, social and medical situations in those territories,

Welcoming also the establishment of the Chemobyl Forum by the International Atomic Energy Agency, with the participation of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs of the Secretariat, the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Environment Programme, the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation, the World Health Organization, the World Bank and representatives of the three most affected States,

Welcoming further the coordination of the activities of the International Chernobyl Research and Information Network and the Chernobyl Forum, and efforts to ensure the substantial integration of the Forum's assessment of environmental and health consequences into the Network process,

Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General concerning the implementation of resolution 56/109.

1. Reaffirms that the United Nations plays an important catalytic and coordinating role in the strengthening of international cooperation to study, mitigate and minimize the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster, and commends the contribution made by all other relevant multilateral mechanisms to this end;

2. Welcomes the further practical measures that have been taken by the Secretary-General and the United Nations Coordinator of International Cooperation on Chernobyl to strengthen coordination of the international efforts in that area, especially the launch of the International Chernobyl Research and Information Network;

3. Welcomes also the efforts undertaken by the agencies of the United Nations system and other international organizations members of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Chernobyl to implement a new developmental approach to studying, mitigating and minimizing the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster, in particular through the development of specific projects, and requests the Inter-Agency Task Force to continue its activities to that end, including through coordinating efforts in the field of resource mobilization;

4. Acknowledges the difficulties faced by the most affected countries in minimizing the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster, and invites States, in particular donor States and all relevant agencies, funds and programmes of the United Nations system, in particular the Bretton Woods institutions, as well as non­governmental organizations, to continue to provide support to the ongoing efforts of Belarus, the Russian Federation and Ukraine to mitigate the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster, including through the allocation of additional funds to support medical, social, economic and ecological programmes related to the disaster;

5. Takes note with satisfaction of the recent development of the Cooperation for Rehabilitation programme, aimed at promoting better living conditions in and the sustainable development of the affected territories;

6. Emphasizes the important role of the authorities of the affected countries in mitigating the humanitarian and other consequences of the Chernobyl catastrophe, and welcomes the continued efforts of the affected countries in this regard, including the measures taken with a view to facilitating the work of humanitarian organizations, including non-governmental organizations, to mitigate the humanitarian and other consequences of the Chernobyl catastrophe;

7. Stresses the need for coordinated international cooperation in studying the consequences of the Chernobyl catastrophe, in particular through effective work of the International Chernobyl Research and Information Network, the Chernobyl Forum, the International Chernobyl Centre for nuclear safety, radioactive waste and radioecology, and other research centres from the most affected countries, and invites Member States and all interested parties to take part in their activities;

8. Welcomes the decision of the Council of Heads of State of the Commonwealth of Independent States to proclaim 26 April the International Day Commemorating "Victims of Radiation Accidents and Catastrophes in the States members of the Commonwealth;

9. Invites Member States to observe this International Day and to conduct appropriate activities to commemorate victims of radiation accidents and catastrophes and to enhance public awareness of their consequences for human health and the environment throughout the world;

10. Requests the Secretary-General to continue his efforts in the implementation of the relevant General Assembly resolutions and, through existing coordination mechanisms, in particular the United Nations Coordinator of International Cooperation on Chernobyl, to continue to maintain close cooperation with the agencies of the United Nations system, as well as with regional and other relevant organizations, while implementing specific Chernobyl-related programmes and projects;

11. Also requests the Secretary-General to consider possible ways to strengthen further the coordination, analytical, advocacy and technical capacities of the United Nations in the field, as well as at Headquarters, as described in the report of the Secretary-General, 1 with due regard to the existing administrative and budgetary capacity of the Organization;

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