Ansar Shah addressed the General Assembly’s Fourth Committee on 21 October to discuss the work of the United Nations' principal scientific committee on radiation effects. Shah stated, "we have put in place comprehensive regulatory measures to safeguard against the risks of ionizing radiation, in line with the safety principles and standards developed by the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency)."
The Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) conducts regular monitoring of radiation levels for patients and medical personnel in cancer treatment centres. Public safety is also a priority, as the PAEC assesses potential radiation exposure for people residing near nuclear sites.
Experts from 31 Member States currently comprise the Scientific Committee. The committee recently approved two major assessments regarding the effects of ionizing radiation on the circulatory system and epidemiological studies of cancer.
Sarah Baatout noted that the committee's task is not to prescribe policy or set safety standards. Baatout added, "This is not a decision to enlarge membership today. It is an opportunity for the Assembly to consider future participation through the agreed procedure."
The seventy-third session of the Scientific Committee has been pushed back to 2027.
