Islamabad, April 21, 2022 (PPI-OT):The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Wednesday organized a webinar with a ambassadorial-level meeting of the Group of 77 and China on the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Technology, says a press release received here today from New York. In his welcome remarks, G-77 Chairman Munir Akram appreciated IAEA’s Director-General Martiano Grossi to meet with the Group’s members and apprise them of the several programmes advanced by the agency for development, especially in health, food and agriculture and the environment, including climate change mitigation and adaptation.

“While the IAEA may be best known for its activities in the peaceful uses of nuclear technology and in number non-proliferation, its work for development is in less importance, particularly in the aftermath of Covid pandemic,” he said. Commending the leadership of the organization, Director-General Grossi, he mentioned Mr. Grossi’s focus on various areas of nuclear science and technology, “such as (a) providing emergency assistance to rapidly detect COVID-19;

(b) helping national laboratories build capacity to detect future disease outbreaks early, to avert another pandemic – the “ZODIAC” – Zoonotic Disease Integrated Action – initiative; (c) using nuclear technology to control plastic pollution in the ocean – the “NUTEC Plastics” initiative; (d) contributing toward a more inclusive workforce by building capacity for women to pursue nuclear science and technology-related careers – the “Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship Programme; and, more recently, (d) Fighting cancer to improve human health by supporting the establishment and expansion of radiotherapy services – the “Rays of Hope” initiative”.

“The IAEA’s successful delivery of the largest technical cooperation project in terms of both the number of beneficiary countries and the disbursement of resources to help countries confront COVID-19 is commendable” he said.

This interactive session between Mr. Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Permanent Representatives of the Member States of the Group of 77 and China posted in New York at United Nations Headquarters on the rewarding benefits of the peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology in the areas of health, food and agriculture, and the environment, including climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Welcome remarks were delivered by H.E. Ambassador Munir Akram, Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations and Chair of the Group of 77 and China. Later IAEA Director-General Ms. Vivian Okeke, Representative of the IAEA Director General to the United Nations delivered an introductory remark.

Keynote was delivered by Mr. Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the IAEA. An Interactive Discussion was also moderated by H.E. Ambassador Munir Akram. The G77 and China actively promote the development aspect of atomic energy by having a strong stance on the importance of Technical Cooperation with the IAEA on the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

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