China calls on IAEA to improve technical cooperation

VIENNA - China encourages the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to take effective measures to improve its technical cooperation fund (TCF) that has seen a declining trend in recent years, China's deputy envoy to the agency said on Tuesday.

Addressing a board of governors meeting, Huang Wei said technical cooperation is one of the agency's critical functions.

Over the past year, the agency provided direct and indirect assistance for 125 countries and regions, significantly promoting sustainable economic and social development in its member states, particularly in developing countries.

China firmly supported technical cooperation activities during this period and had been rigorously fulfilling its commitments by timely and fully paying its share to the cooperation fund since joining the agency, Huang said.

He also pointed out the TCF reached a "rate of attainment" of 88.3 percent in 2012, representing a slight increase compared to 2011, but still lower than expected.

He said China hoped the agency can strengthen communication with its member states, and take further effective measures to improve the declining TCF "rate of attainment."

Huang called on all member states to make efforts to ensure that the TCF remains sufficient, assured and predictable.

He added member states should continue to cooperate closely with the IAEA secretariat to improve execution of technical cooperation activities.