Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Science, Technology and Applications and the Technical Cooperation Programme

In November 2024, the IAEA hosted the Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Science, Technology and Applications and the Technical Cooperation Programme, jointly organized by the Departments of Technical Cooperation and Nuclear Sciences and Applications.

The event brought together ministers, senior officials and policymakers from over 120 countries to address global challenges in health, food safety and security, water resource management and climate change through the application of nuclear techniques. Over 1400 national representatives attended the Ministerial Conference, held from 26 to 28 November, including at least 50 high-level officials and ministers.

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Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Science, Technology and Applications and the Technical Cooperation Programme

The 2024 IAEA Ministerial Conference will take place on 26-28 November 2024 in Vienna, Austria, bringing together ministers and senior officials from IAEA Member States to discuss the role of nuclear science and technology in addressing some of the challenges we face today, including health, food security and safety, water resource management and climate change. Nuclear techniques are an integral part of the technological solutions needed to tackle these.

This conference will strengthen international cooperation and explore innovations in nuclear advancements, whilst highlighting the role of nuclear technology in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In order to generate a more significant impact in some of these areas, the IAEA has recently launched four cross cutting initiatives: Atoms4Food (together with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations), NUclear TEChnology for Controlling Plastic Pollution (NUTEC Plastics), Rays of Hope and Zoonotic Disease Integrated Action (ZODIAC).

The conference will be articulated around the four following topics:

1. Food Security & Safety: Nuclear science can enhance food security in many different ways, for example, with the development of high-yield and disease-resistant crop varieties, or with the application of the Sterile Insect Technique to control agricultural pests. Nuclear techniques are also used to ensure food safety by, for instance, detecting contaminants and pathogens.
    
2. Climate Change: Nuclear science has an important role to play in this challenging topic by using technology for climate change mitigation, monitoring and adaptation.
    
3. Health: Focusing on the notion of One Health, this session will emphasize the use of nuclear technology in healthcare, environmental sustainability, and pandemic preparedness.
    
4. Water Resource Management: Water is vital for life, this topic will focus on how nuclear techniques, such as isotope hydrology, can be employed to manage water resources more effectively. Some of these techniques help to understand groundwater systems, water quality, and the sustainable use of aquifers.

Overall, the conference will serve as a platform for policymakers, experts, and stakeholders to review progress, share best practices and explore new opportunities for using nuclear science and technology to tackle pressing global issues.