Statement by the Delegation of Ukraine at the UN General Assembly Fourth Committee under agenda item 47 ‘Effects of Atomic Radiation’ (21 October 2024, New York)

Madam Chair,

At the outset, our Delegation would like to express our appreciation to Ms. Sarah Baatout for participating in today’s meeting and presenting the report on the activities of the UN Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR).

As Ukraine aligns itself with the Statement delivered on behalf of the European Union and its Member States, we would also like to make some additional remarks in our national capacity.

Ukraine, as a country that experienced the catastrophic effects of radiation after the Chornobyl disaster, recognizes the important work of UNSCEAR in the field of assessing the effects of ionizing radiation on human health and the environment.

Ukraine welcomes the substantial contribution that the Committee has been making in providing wider knowledge and understanding in this regard.

The high-quality scientific research is critical not only for understanding the long-term consequences of such accidents, but also for preventing similar risks in the future.

We appreciate the Committee’s attention to the research that would not only cover man-made accidents, but also other sources of radiation exposure, such as medical and natural exposure.

In addition, Ukraine underlines the importance of considering the potential impact of military actions on nuclear safety and further developing of recommendations by UNSCEAR for such situations.

Ukraine, as an active member of UNSCEAR, stands ready to actively engage with the Committee to update and consolidate some of the findings and conclusions of the Committee’s assessment of the radiological consequences of the nuclear accidents.
 
We are ready to further contribute to the preparation and publication of the UNSCEAR’s relevant documents, based on our national experience and researches on the effects of radiation on human health and the environment. In our view, UNSCEAR should continue its consultations with scientists and experts from interested Member States in the process of preparing its future scientific reports.

In conclusion, Madam Chair, Ukraine underscores the importance of further cooperation of UNSCEAR with other international organizations, including IAEA and WHO, in dealing with issues of radiation safety and health protection.

Thank you.