Speech prepared for delivery at the sixty-eighth session of the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR)
Gillian Hirth, Chair of UNSCEAR,
Ghada Waly, Director-General/ Executive Director of the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV)/ United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC),
Rafael Grossi, Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency,
Excellencies, Members and Observers of the sixty-eighth session of the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR),
Congratulations to the Scientific Committee on its 65th anniversary and for its long contribution to protecting people and the environment. The Committee’s pursuit of objective and peer-reviewed science is essential to the use of ionizing radiation in a peaceful way, for the benefit of all.
UNEP and UNSCEAR have a long history of engagement, which we hope to continue and strengthen in several areas.
One, science as the core of action for protection of the public and the environment.
Our organizations share a common understanding that objective science is essential to informed decisions. In fact, the value of science has only been emphasized in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. UNEP is looking forward to working with UNSCEAR to identify new areas to collaborate on strong science that brings the most impact – such as on sustainable energy, people’s safety and a safe environment.
Two, support to UNSCEAR and its secretariat.
I am pleased that the recruitment of the Deputy Secretary is underway, and I assure you we at UNEP will do everything within our power to support UNSCEAR’s financial and human resources. UNEP is also proud to administer the UNSCEAR General Trust Fund and I would like to thank all Member States that responded to my call in 2020 by contributing to the Fund.
Three, reaching out to key stakeholders and the public.
Science is most useful when it reaches the right audience, so UNEP remains committed to supporting the outreach activities of this Committee and engaging with national and international partners.
Thank you again for all of your hard work. I look forward to further strong and fruitful collaboration as we look to protect people and the environment, while building a better and more prosperous world.
Thank you.
Executive Director
