A/RES/73/261
Effects of atomic radiation
Considering that the high quality of the work and the scientific rigour of the
Scientific Committee need to be maintained in the future,
Recognizing the importance of disseminating the findings of the Scientific
Committee, in particular to the public, and widely publici zing scientific knowledge
about atomic radiation, and recalling in that context principle 10 of the Rio
Declaration on Environment and Development, 1
Noting the need for the resources of the Scientific Committee to be sufficient,
assured and predictable, and recognizing the importance of voluntary contributions
to the general trust fund established by the Executive Director of the United Nations
Environment Programme to support the work of the Committee,
Bearing in mind that the incorporation of new members will imply a
proportional increase in operational costs for the Scientific Committee, including
travel costs,
Commending the secretariat of the Scientific Committee for its ongoing efforts
to ensure the sustainable and effective work of the Committee, and encouraging all
States in a position to do so to provide support to the secretariat of the Committee,
Highlighting the statements of the International Atomic Energy Agency and the
World Health Organization, in which they expressed support and appreciation for the
Scientific Committee’s work in producing the most reliable and comprehensive
sources of scientific information about the levels and effects of ionizing radiation and
noted that, without it, safety guidance and safety standards could not be developed
and maintained and priorities for research in the areas of sources and effects of
ionizing radiation could not be determined,
Noting with concern the developments which resulted in the request by the
Scientific Committee at its sixty-fifth session to the Office of Internal Oversight
Services to conduct: (a) an investigation or inspection into the process to recruit the
Scientific Secretary to ensure that the successful candidate is selected on the basis of
scientific qualifications and credibility and that the process is aligned with Article
101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations; and (b) an internal audit or
evaluation to clarify whether the United Nations Environment Programme is the most
appropriate body to serve the Committee in the future, 2
Noting with concern also that the sixty-fifth session of the Scientific Committee
had to be postponed as a result of, inter alia, the continued delay in the appointment
of the Secretary of the Scientific Committee, while recognizing the important work
done by the Acting Secretary by preparing documents of a high scientific quality for
the rescheduled sixty-fifth session,
Noting the concern of the Scientific Committee with regard to the lack of a
mechanism for the deputization of the Scientific Officer as Secretary and disruptions
in staffing at the secretariat, which has made the Committee seriously vulnerable and
has hampered the efficient implementation of its approved programme of work and
progress with the project plans on second primary cancers after radiotherapy and on
epidemiological studies of radiation and cancer,
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1
2
2/5
Report of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, Rio de Janeiro,
3−14 June 1992, vol. I, Resolutions Adopted by the Conference (United Nations publication,
Sales No. E.93.I.8 and corrigendum), resolution 1, annex I.
See Official Records of the General Assembly, Seventy-third Session, Supplement No. 46
(A/73/46).
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