The 1964 programme of help in atomic development

A wide variety of projects for the provision of experts and equipment to 32 countries has been approved by the IAEA Board of Governors for 1964. Further work is being financed under the United Nations Expanded Programme of Technical Assistance; altogether, the services of about 100 experts in the field are called for, in addition to those who are still at work on earlier assignments. The estimated cost of the Agency's 1964 programme is $804 600, of which $459 200 is for the services of experts, and $345 400 for the provision of equipment and supplies. In addition, $513 500 is being allocated for EPTA programmes. It is becoming increasingly difficult, however, for the Agency to meet the growing number of requests and lack of finance may prevent its programme from being carried out in full. Many of these requests come from newly independent countries which have become Member States, and which seek assistance in developing national atomic energy programmes. In addition, numerous research reactors and radioisotope laboratories are being built or have recently been completed under bilateral arrangements which are normally limited to the period of construction. Most of these new centres then require some form of assistance in their programmes of research and training. Such a group could help the new centres with the technical aspects of the programme, and could also be helpful in furthering regional collaboration. There is evidently no lack of local talent and initiative in the regions where these meetings have been held. Given the lead, they should be able to organize a more fruitful utilization of research facilities, with the Agency supplementing local effort by acting as a clearing-house for information and assistance, on the lines indicated in its long-range plan. The study group meetings are also helping to create greater awareness in the advanced countries about the work and needs of the developing centres. As a result, it may be hoped that the advanced centres will take greater interest in these new centres and establish closer relations with them. One method of achieving this could be through 'sister laboratory' arrangements, - whereby two centres join forces - at first in order to assist the newly established one, but eventually for mutual benefit completed under bilateral arrangements which are normally limited to the period of construction. Most of these new centres then require some form of assistance in their programmes of research and training. The programme outlined below forms a part only of the Agency's work in the field of technical assistance, which includes a number of other closely related activities, such as exchange of visiting professors, provision of fellowships, and organization of regional training courses - the latter often involving the provision of equipment. All these matters are now being administered by the Agency's Department of Technical Assistance. The projects approved by the Board for this year cover a fairly wide range of topics - from raw materials prospecting and treatment to reactor construction, and from use of radioisotopes in fisheries research to their use in medicine.