EU Statement at the seventieth session of the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR), 19 June 2023

Chair,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States. The following countries align themselves with this statement: North Macedonia^*, Montenegro^*, Serbia^*, Albania^*, Ukraine, Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina^* and Iceland⁺.

The EU and its Member States wish to express their satisfaction with the work undertaken by the UN Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) and its valuable contribution to assessing the effects of radiation on human health and the environment.

This work is in line with EU priorities and has played an important role in improving international scientific understanding of the potentially harmful effects of ionising radiation in all exposure situations on people and the environment.

Regarding the present programme of work of the Committee, the EU and its Member States welcome the Committee's work on medical exposure to atomic radiation, which is one of the EU priorities with respect to radiation protection. We are confident that the research projects launched in this area by the EU will contribute with key information to the international efforts. We further welcome the work on public exposure to ionising radiation from natural and other sources, which is another EU priority in the area of radiation protection.

The European Commission adopted in 2021 the EU’s comprehensive plan for action to support a safe, high quality and reliable use of radiological and nuclear technology in healthcare - SAMIRA Action Plan[1]. The initiative is supported by several EU programmes. In line with the SAMIRA Action Plan, the European Commission launched in 2022 the co-funded Euratom research Partnership PIANOFORTE to improve knowledge in radiation protection in the field of environmental, occupational and medical exposure.  In radiation protection and emergency preparedness, the PIANOFORTE Partnership, will be the main driving force for research for years 2021-2025, consolidating an EU-wide research and innovation community.

Chair,

We reiterate our deep concerns about the levels of radiation to which people and the environment might be exposed as a result of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine which endangers Ukraine’s nuclear facilities.  The situation at and around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is particularly worrisome especially following the destruction of the Kakhovka dam which challenges the cooling of the ZNPP reactors and spent fuel ponds.  We would like to underline that since 17 May, the Ukrainian authorities have been disconnected from radiation monitoring stations located around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.  As a consequence, the Ukrainian authorities cannot monitor radiation levels and provide the data to the IAEA. That is particularly worrying in case of accident, as the international community will not be informed in a timely manner of the data that are needed in order to take the right decision and to protect people.

We encourage the Committee to stand ready to carry out unforeseen additional work, if necessary and in coordination with the IAEA, to analyse the levels and effects of radiation exposure on people and the environment in Ukraine.

Finally, we are pleased to announce that the European Commission, through its Joint Research Centre (JRC), is finalising a Research Framework Arrangement with UNSCEAR. Under this Arrangement, both parties will cooperate, subject to the regulations, rules, policies and procedures applicable to each side, on radiation sources, levels and effects, and exposures of people and in the environment; reference measurements and materials for radiation assessment; scientific data relevant to radiation protection; and relevant Euratom and UNSCEAR research projects.

Thank you, Chair.

* Candidate Countries North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.

+ Iceland is a member of the EFTA and of the European Economic Area.

[1] The Strategic Agenda for Medical Ionising Radiation Applications (SAMIRA): SAMIRA Action Plan (europa.eu). SAMIRA is an initiative led by DG ENER, with the involvement of other services. The SAMIRA Action Plan, adopted in February 2021 as a deliverable under Europe's Beating Cancer Plan, was developed in close collaboration between DG ENER, DG SANTE, DG RTD and DG JRC and includes contributions from several other Commission services.