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PRESS RELEASE
International Chernobyl Cooperation
Washington, D.C., April 8, 2005
The main objective of international Chernobyl cooperation is
to attract various types of foreign assistance to deal with Chernobyl
problems. To meet this objective, systematic work is organized, including
objective assessment of radiation-ecological and socio-economic situation in
the affected regions. Continuous efforts are being made to inform
international community about measures taken by the state to mitigate
negative consequences of the disaster and about unresolved problems of
contaminated territories.
At a press conference held on April 5, 2006 in Minsk,
Belarusian officials from Chernobyl Committee, Humanitarian Activities
Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs underlined fruitful work with the
bodies of the UN system, including UNDP, UNESCO, World Bank, UNICEF, IAEA,
as well as with OSCE and TASIS program. Active cooperation is organized with
governmental organizations and NGOs of European donor countries such as
Switzerland, Italy, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland. For a number of
years, considerable amounts of humanitarian aid are coming from the United
States and Japan. By the volume of humanitarian aid obtained by Belarus in
2004, the United States ranks second after Germany.
The main result of the efforts taken by Belarusian
authorities is the revival of interest of many international organizations
to Chernobyl problems, whereby these problems are positioned among priority
directions of these organizations and countries.
Among the most remarkable events organized recently to boost
international Chernobyl cooperation are international fact-finding missions
of UN, World Bank, visits of the UN Undersecretary General, IAEA Director
and Deputy Director, foreign ambassadors to the most heavily contaminated
regions. The launch of such initiatives as IAEA Chernobyl Forum,
International Chernobyl Research and Information Network (ICRIN) are of
great importance. A number of international information and education
exhibitions have been organized. A new Chernobyl resolution was adopted by
the 58th Session of the UN General Assembly.
A novel International Program “Cooperation for
Rehabilitation” (CORE) has been developed in conformity with the principles
of the new international Chernobyl cooperation strategy. The program
received international recognition with the signing of the CORE Declaration
of Principles by a number of international organizations. Practical
implementation of 30 thematic projects under the program in 4 contaminated
regions is going on. 26 donors are providing assistance. CORE projects of
socio-economic, ecological, agricultural rehabilitation of affected areas
are carried out with active participation of local specialists and
residents.
Belarus will continue to attract humanitarian aid for
Chernobyl programs. The objective now is, however, to redirect from
emergency aid to assistance aimed at sustainable economic development. The
assistance should be made available to those who really need it in the most
disadvantaged areas.
On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Chernobyl
accident, on April 19-21, 2006, a major International Conference is to be
organized in Minsk. The Conference will consider a new strategy of dealing
with Chernobyl problems through socio-economic and radiation rehabilitation
of the affected people and territories. High-level representatives of
Russia, Ukraine, donor countries, international organizations, eminent
scientists and leaders of major foreign NGOs will be invited to attend the
Conference. To prepare for the Conference, National, International and
Scientific Organizational Committees have been established. |
