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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

THANK YOU! http://www.pnri.dost.gov.ph