Statement by Dmitry Chumakov, Deputy Permanent Representative of Russia to the UN, at the meeting of the IATF on Chernobyl
Dear Colleagues,
We would like to express our appreciation to the UNDP for its leadership and coordination of the activities on the Chernobyl track and personally to Mr.Steiner for continued efforts to support the work of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Chernobyl. Such meetings traditionally provide us with a good opportunity to compare notes and receive an updated information from the Member States and the United Nations agencies on the activities related to Chernobyl.
Russia remains engaged in planning and implementation of international cooperation projects in Chernobyl, aimed at social and economic development and rehabilitation of affected areas.
We are particularly thankful to our friends from the Republic of Belarus for their substantive contribution and efforts to keep this issue in focus of the UN at the proper level. We stand ready to further support you in this endeavor. We need to unite our efforts to never let this tragedy be forgotten and lessons left unlearnt.
In 2019 Russia and Belarus in the framework of the Union State have started a two-year Program of joint activities for the protection of the population and the rehabilitation of affected territories. Its work is financed from the Union State resources. The goal of this Program is to create conditions of secure livelihoods of population on the territories affected by the Chernobyl disaster.
We have also begun development of a pilot off-road vehicle capable of fighting forest fires in the areas with high level of radioactive contamination. It is also planned to make a unified catalog of public exposure doses. We think it is very relevant in current circumstances around Chernobyl areas.
The Government of the Russian Federation attaches particular importance to implementation of national projects and programs in order to assist the affected population, including the provision of social and medical support, as well as compensations for the damage of property. These activities are implemented under federal act which is subject to periodic review and aimed at ensuring that it’s up-to-date, needs-oriented and people-targeted. In support of its implementation, the Government runs related federal programs, namely on the well-being of children, the provision of housing for Chernobyl’s liquidators and the restoration of the affected territories.
I would like to conclude with acknowledging the fact that much has been done to overcome the consequences of Chernobyl tragedy, but yet much remains to be done. The Russian Federation is determined to further address this issue both in planning of internal policies and development of cooperation with our neighbors.
We look forward to hearing today some update on Chernobyl especially from the UN country teams. We express particular concerns over the forest fires around Chernobyl areas since the beginning of April. We use this opportunity to reiterate that should we receive a request from the Ukrainian authorities to provide assistance, we stand ready to consider it.
I thank you.
