IAEA Showcases Global Impact of Nuclear Cooperation at 69th General Conference

One of the most engaging side events focused on the NUTEC Plastics initiative, an IAEA-led global effort aimed at combating plastic pollution through nuclear technology.

The 69th International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) General Conference, held in Vienna in September 2025, brought together over 3,000 participants, including 57 ministers and 37 vice ministers, reaffirming global commitment to harnessing nuclear science and technology for peace, prosperity, and sustainable development.

The conference — the world’s largest annual event in the field of nuclear cooperation — highlighted the achievements of the IAEA’s technical cooperation (TC) programme, which plays a crucial role in supporting Member States through capacity-building, innovation, and knowledge transfer. Side events, exhibitions, and bilateral meetings showcased the programme’s impact in areas such as food security, environmental protection, health, and education.

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Showcasing the Technical Cooperation Programme

At the IAEA’s Technical Cooperation Exhibition, visitors explored a wide range of information materials covering thematic areas such as energy, health, agriculture, environment, and industrial applications. A friendly and knowledgeable team of IAEA staff explained how the programme delivers tangible benefits in developing nations — from improving food safety to managing water resources.

A highlight of the exhibition was the presentation of findings from a new study on the impact of technical cooperation fellowships, which emphasized how training and exchanges have strengthened national institutions and built human capital in partner countries. These fellowships are widely credited with advancing the professional skills of scientists, engineers, and regulators who now play key roles in their countries’ development programmes.

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Tackling Plastic Pollution: The NUTEC Plastics Initiative

One of the most engaging side events focused on the NUTEC Plastics initiative, an IAEA-led global effort aimed at combating plastic pollution through nuclear technology. Participants learned about recent breakthroughs in marine microplastics monitoring and upcycling innovations using electron beam technology.

Through these techniques, plastic waste can be converted into valuable materials such as railroad ties, construction components, and composite products — a process that not only reduces environmental impact but also promotes circular economies.

Currently, over 100 countries are participating in the NUTEC Plastics initiative, which also supports the establishment of a global marine microplastics monitoring network. The initiative is a key example of how nuclear science contributes to environmental protection and sustainability.

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Advancing Food Security Through Nuclear Techniques

Another major highlight was a side event on Atoms4Food, a joint initiative of the IAEA and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The programme assists countries in strengthening food systems and agricultural productivity through nuclear and isotopic techniques.

The event, titled Advancing Food Security in Africa through Atoms4Food, brought together policymakers and scientists to discuss the programme’s transformative impact. Liberia’s Minister of Agriculture, Alexander Nuetah, and Sudan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Magdi Mofadal Elnour, shared how nuclear solutions are helping African nations address soil degradation, pest control, and food insecurity.

A researcher from Burkina Faso presented findings from an Atoms4Food Assessment Mission, revealing how nuclear-assisted crop improvement techniques have boosted rice yields and enhanced climate resilience. These successes illustrate how science-based interventions can empower farmers, reduce hunger, and promote sustainable agricultural practices.

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Inspiring the Next Generation of Nuclear Scientists

The IAEA also showcased initiatives aimed at encouraging youth participation in nuclear science, particularly in Africa and Asia. The International Nuclear Science Olympiad and a special collaboration with Women in Nuclear (WiN) were among the highlights.

Seventeen outstanding students — winners of the IAEA-WiN nuclear science competition — were recognized for their innovative video presentations on major IAEA initiatives. Their participation underscored the Agency’s ongoing commitment to gender equality and STEM education, ensuring that young scientists, especially women, play a central role in shaping the future of nuclear innovation.

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Regional Cooperation: Building Partnerships Across Continents

Regional collaboration remained a central theme throughout the conference. Annual coordination meetings of the four IAEA regional cooperative groups — AFRA (Africa), RCA (Asia and the Pacific), ARASIA (Arab States in Asia), and ARCAL (Latin America and the Caribbean) — provided platforms to assess progress and plan future projects.

• At the AFRA meeting, delegates reviewed the region’s growing network of research centres and discussed new projects in health, agriculture, and environmental management.

• The ARASIA group discussed strategic and programmatic priorities. On the sidelines, Jordan and Kuwait signed agreements establishing two new Regional Resource Centres for environmental monitoring, expanding the region’s scientific capacity.

• During the ARCAL session, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi praised the group’s evolving partnerships: “ARCAL is taking on a new dimension by expanding collaboration and embracing creative, open engagement with other institutions,” he said.

• The RCA meeting for Asia and the Pacific launched two new socioeconomic impact assessments on air quality monitoring and food safety, covering a remarkable 24-year period (2000–2023). Over this time, the IAEA trained more than 350 scientists and policymakers and helped establish 128 food safety facilities in the region.

In total, the technical cooperation programme organized 46 regional training courses and trained over 900 specialists in 2025, reflecting its broad commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and institutional resilience.

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Strengthening National Frameworks for Development

On the margins of the General Conference, eight countries — Argentina, Brazil, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Pakistan, Romania, and Tajikistan — signed new Country Programme Frameworks (CPFs) with the IAEA.

These frameworks serve as national blueprints outlining how each country will collaborate with the IAEA to align nuclear science initiatives with sustainable development priorities. CPFs help countries identify needs, allocate resources efficiently, and coordinate regional and international cooperation more effectively.

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A Renewed Commitment to Sustainable Progress

The 69th IAEA General Conference underscored how nuclear science and technology are transforming societies, addressing real-world challenges from food insecurity and pollution to health and education. Through its technical cooperation programme, the IAEA continues to ensure that the benefits of nuclear innovation are accessible, equitable, and impactful across all regions.

As Director General Grossi reaffirmed, “Our mission is to translate the power of atoms into tangible benefits for people everywhere — to build a safer, healthier, and more sustainable world.”