China hopes for resolution to funding gaps at IAEA

The Chinese delegation to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Monday said voluntary contributions to the body's technical cooperation funding showed a downward trend in recent years.

Addressing the IAEA board of governors meeting, the Chinese delegation noted funds in 2011 reached 89.3 percent of the target 86 million U.S. dollars and hoped the IAEA would seriously study the issue and take effective measures to resolve it.

China called on member states to fulfill their commitments to ensure their voluntary contributions, which is used to fund over 1,000 of the IAEA's technical cooperation program projects in 115 member states.

Project areas range from nuclear science, radiation and isotope technologies to nuclear energy. Member states contribute to the funds based on calculations established by using UN assessment rates. The target is established by the board of governors and finalized in a general conference resolution.