1. WHY ARE WE HERE? Background Context

2. IT IS ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE RCA PROGRAMME

3. CRISIS POINTS Increased RCA Membership 17 to 27+ Brunei, Bhutan, Cambodia, Fiji, Laos, Marshal Islands, Nepal, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu Brunei, Bhutan, Cambodia, Fiji, Laos, Marshal Islands, Nepal, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu Many newcomer GPs have little or no background in nuclear technology and will require substantial support at the basic level. Many newcomer GPs have little or no background in nuclear technology and will require substantial support at the basic level.

4. CRISIS POINTS The IAEA TC Programme is limited in terms of static level in TCF fund and in staffing level. The IAEA TC Programme is limited in terms of static level in TCF fund and in staffing level. TC Support of RCA Programme TC Support of RCA Programme Limited Financial Input Limited Financial Input Limited Human Resource Support Limited Human Resource Support

7. CRISIS POINTS Cannot increase TC contribution to RCA Programme. Cannot increase TC contribution to RCA Programme. Cannot increase the number of RCA events implemented by TC. Cannot increase the number of RCA events implemented by TC. Have to align the RCA Programme with the TC Cycle – lead time 3 years. Have to align the RCA Programme with the TC Cycle – lead time 3 years. Have to comply with the IAEA Board approved budget – cannot exceed. Have to comply with the IAEA Board approved budget – cannot exceed.

8. Fulfilling the Full Scope of the RCA Programme The RCA Agreement is for Research, Development and Training Related to Nuclear Science and Technology. The RCA Agreement is for Research, Development and Training Related to Nuclear Science and Technology. Research Programme is defined in the Guidelines and Operating Rules. Research Programme is defined in the Guidelines and Operating Rules. BUT no specific research projects have been carried out for ~15 years – a credibility gap. BUT no specific research projects have been carried out for ~15 years – a credibility gap.

9. If the RCA Programme is going to meet the needs of the GPs then ways and means have to be found to: increase the funding for the RCA full Programme (Research, Development and Training); increase the funding for the RCA full Programme (Research, Development and Training); increase the human resources to implement the increased Programme activity; increase the human resources to implement the increased Programme activity; increase the response time of the RCA Programme; and, increase the response time of the RCA Programme; and, increase the GPs ownership, management and operation of the RCA Programme. increase the GPs ownership, management and operation of the RCA Programme.

10. RCA RCARO Response The RCARO has recognised that there are impending problems with the RCA Programme and has identified key 3 areas that it might be able to support to address the identified needs: Supplementary Projects – address lag time problem Supplementary Projects – address lag time problem Ad hoc training/education requests – address large knowledge gap in the newcomer GPs Ad hoc training/education requests – address large knowledge gap in the newcomer GPs Research Projects – address absence in the RCA Programme and need for research to stimulate the technology transfer programme Research Projects – address absence in the RCA Programme and need for research to stimulate the technology transfer programme

11. Tasks for the 2 nd WGM To establish specific criteria for the application and operation of SPs within the RCA programme; To establish specific criteria for the application and operation of SPs within the RCA programme; To establish specific criteria for the application and operation of RPs within the RCA programme, as well as mechanisms for their operation and conduct; To establish specific criteria for the application and operation of RPs within the RCA programme, as well as mechanisms for their operation and conduct; To develop guidelines, procedures and criteria for undertaking ad hoc training for GPs; To develop guidelines, procedures and criteria for undertaking ad hoc training for GPs; To investigate the possibility of the broader educational support being provided. To investigate the possibility of the broader educational support being provided.

12. BUT These procedures do not address issues that are uniquely tied to implementation by the RCARO – these are essentially generic. These procedures do not address issues that are uniquely tied to implementation by the RCARO – these are essentially generic. Any GP that wished to provide support to the RCA Programme could use these as a template to address the identified problems. Any GP that wished to provide support to the RCA Programme could use these as a template to address the identified problems.

13. Thank you!