1. MSs’ View on the Sustainable Development of RCARO
Alumanda M. Dela Rosa, Ph.D.
RCA National Representative
Philippines
Presented at the RCARO Workshop on Partnership Promotion and Sustainable Development
Ramada Hotel, Jeju, Koreea, 7-9 July 2009

2. OUTLINE Guiding Principle Achievements of RCARO to date
Factors affecting RCARO’s sustainable development
Role of RCA
Conclusion

3. Guiding Principle for the Establishment of the RCARO
Mandate from the RCA MSs establishing the RCA Regional Office to increase RCA visibility in the region and to promote the viability of RCA

4. Achievements of the RCARO to date
Established the physical office at KAERI, recruited capable staff, made operational the selection of Director
Cultivated a robust and professional relationship with the SAC
Developed a procedure of selecting the temporary staff from MSs

5. Achievements of the RCARO to date
Produced database on international organizations based in the region; produced database on end-users
Participated actively in international conferences on behalf of RCA
Interacted with regional organizations on behalf of RCA

6. Achievements of the RCARO to date
Extended IEC support to RCA (ws, RCA brochure, success stories brochures, etc.)
Administered nuclear knowledge preservation/HRD project
Secured funding for the tsunami project

7. Achievements of the RCARO to date
Most importantly, it enabled the RCA to demonstrate that an agreement can establish a regional office and make it work for its benefit

8. RCARO’s Sustainable Development
Factors
- Political
- Technical
- Financial

9. Political Factors
The RCA MSs are committed to the RCARO within the legal boundaries governing the Agreement
There is now greater appreciation of the work of the RCARO by the MSs
RCA has demonstrated that a regional office can be established. This adds prestige to RCA.

10. Technical Factors
Support activities for the RCA program abound notwithstanding the current work being done by the RCARO
The work on the MTS and the regional profile offer support opportunities for the RCARO
Support activities in addressing major challenges in the region, e.g., NP, global warming, new technologies

11. Financial Factors
Great task still to be fulfilled is securing funding for a big-ticket project/program that will enable RCA to fund the RCARO
The Korean Government is currently funding the operation of the RCARO with in-kind contribution from MSs through fielding of temporary staff

12. Financial Factors Additional organizations to tap: GEF, UNEP
RCA should exert more effort to conceptualize and prepare a big-ticket program attractive to funding agencies with big funds

13. Conclusion RCARO is an asset to RCA
While outcomes may not be coming this early, RCARO has accomplished significant outputs for the benefit of the RCA
The funding of the RCARO in the long-term should be addressed by the RCA to ensure its sustainability

14. THANK YOU!