IAEA Director General Visits Pakistan to Enhance Nuclear Science Collaboration
IAEA Director General Visits Pakistan to Enhance Nuclear Science Collaboration: The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Mariano Grossi recently visited Pakistan for two days. During the visit, he met with the country’s leadership, including its Prime and Foreign Ministers, and visited numerous nuclear facilities across the country. The purpose of the visit was to increase collaboration between Pakistan and the IAEA in the peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology, particularly in agriculture and medicine, to the benefit of the country and its neighbours.
During his visit, Mr Grossi inaugurated several nuclear facilities, including the Pakistan Centre for Nuclear Medicine and the Centre for Advanced Studies in Physics. He also visited the Chashma Nuclear Power Plant and the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, where he was briefed on Pakistan’s nuclear energy program and its efforts to enhance nuclear safety and security.
This week’s visit by IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi to Pakistan differed from previous visits, which focused on inspections and reviews of the country’s nuclear facilities. In 2005, the IAEA Director-General visited Pakistan to discuss the country’s nuclear program and efforts to enhance nuclear safety and security. The IAEA conducted a review of Pakistan’s nuclear security and safety practices in 2008, followed by a visit in 2011 to assess Pakistan’s progress in implementing the recommendations from the 2008 review. In contrast, Mr. Grossi’s visit focused on increasing collaboration between Pakistan and the IAEA in the peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology, particularly in agriculture and medicine, to the benefit of the country and its neighbours. The visit was seen as a positive step towards strengthening the partnership between Pakistan and the IAEA in this area.
During his recent visit, Mr. Grossi and Prime Minister Sharif discussed the worsening effects of climate change on Pakistan and how nuclear science and IAEA support can help the country. They also discussed the importance of using nuclear science and technology for peaceful purposes, particularly in agriculture and medicine, which can have significant benefits for Pakistan and its neighbours.
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The visit concluded with a joint statement, in which Pakistan and the IAEA reaffirmed their commitment to increasing cooperation in the peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology. The statement emphasized the importance of using nuclear science and technology to address global challenges, including food security, energy security, and the environment.
Overall, the visit was seen as a positive step towards strengthening the partnership between Pakistan and the IAEA, and enhancing the peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology in the region.