Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General on the 23rd Anniverary of the Chernobyl Disaster

The consequences of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster linger even today. On the 23rd anniversary of the disaster, the United Nations honours the emergency workers who laboured heroically at the damaged reactor; the hundreds of thousands of people who were evacuated from surrounding areas with little hope of return; and the millions living in affected areas who confront a legacy of stigma and fear.

The Secretary-General salutes the resolve of those affected by the accident to bring life in the region back to normal. Toward that end, local communities, national authorities and other stakeholders have reached an encouraging consensus that social and economic development is the key to overcoming Chernobyl's impact.

The United Nations, for its part, affirms its commitment to the Decade of Recovery and Sustainable Development proclaimed by the General Assembly for 2006-2016, and welcomes the adoption last year of the UN Chernobyl Action Plan to 2016, which contains a declaration of principles and priorities embraced by all UN agencies involved in Chernobyl recovery efforts.

The Secretary-General also applauds the launch, in conjunction with this anniversary, of the International Chernobyl Research and Information Network (ICRIN), a joint initiative of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN Development Programme, the UN Children's Fund, and the World Health Organization. Funded by the UN Trust Fund for Human Security, ICRIN is designed to provide practical, up-to-date information to affected communities in order to dispel widespread misconceptions about the accident's impact, to fight stigmatization and to encourage healthier lifestyles.

The Secretary-General calls upon the international community to show continued generosity in supporting Chernobyl-affected regions as they strive for a long-sought return to normalcy.