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

Programme

SUNDAY, 24 NOVEMBER 2024

15:00 – 18:00   Registration

MONDAY, 25 NOVEMBER 2024

07:30 – 18:00   Registration

TUESDAY, 26 NOVEMBER 2024

Emcee: Ms Najat Mokhtar, Deputy Director General, Head of the Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, IAEA 

Opening Film of Ministerial Conference 

09:30 - 10:30    Opening Session

Mr Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General, International    Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) 

Mr Kai Mykkänen, Minister of Climate and the Environment, Finland (Co-chair of the Conference) 

Mr Kwaku Afriyie, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Ghana (Co-chair of the Conference) 

Mr Dongyu Qu, Director General, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) 

Dr Ailan Li, Assistant Director-General, Universal Health Coverage/Healthier Populations, World Health Organization (WHO)   

Ms Shaimaa Al-Sheiby, Vice President for Public Sector and Strategy, the OPEC Fund for International Development 

Mr Demetrios Papathanasiou, Global Director, Energy and Extractives Global Practice, the World Bank

Mr Tom McCulley, Chief Executive Officer, Anglo American Crop Nutrients 

10:30 – 10:45    Presentation of the Conference Outcome Document

10:45 – 13:00    Ministerial Segment: Member States will deliver their national statements.

13:00 - 14:30     Lunch break

13:00 – 14:30     Side Events

14:30 – 18:00    Ministerial Segment (continued)

18:00 – 20:00    Welcome Reception

WEDNESDAY, 27 NOVEMBER 2024

08:00 – 08:45     Side Events 

09:00 – 10:30    Ministerial Segment (continued)

10:30 – 13:00    Session 1: One Health: Closing the circle for a better life

To address needs related to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of health conditions, in particular non-communicable diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases, the application of nuclear techniques plays a crucial role. The IAEA’s aim is to help Member States’ build capacities to support them in establishing high-quality health care worldwide. This session brings together experts and Member States to explore the interconnected realms of healthcare, environmental sustainability, and pandemic preparedness. Through dynamic panels, attendees delve into innovative approaches to cancer care, proactive measures in pandemic prevention, and the urgent need for environmental stewardship. From scaling up cancer care with cutting-edge technologies to fostering global collaboration in pandemic preparedness and advocating for sustainable practices, this session embodies the holistic ethos of One Health. By bridging disciplines and forging synergies, participants collectively strive towards a future where human, animal, and environmental health are intricately intertwined, thereby paving the way for a better, more resilient world. A special focus will be given to the major IAEA initiatives: Rays of Hope, ZODIAC and NUTEC.

10:30-11:20     Panel 1.1: Rays of Hope

Moderator: Ms May Abdel-Wahab, Director, Division of Human Health, Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, IAEA 

Panellists: 

Ms Carla Marina Paredes Reyes, Minister of Health, Honduras

Mr Niko Hyka, Vice-Minister of Health and Social Protection, Albania

Mr Elias Melly, CEO, National Cancer Institute of Kenya (NCI-K), Kenya  

Ms Debora M. Barasa, Minister of Health, Kenya  

Mr Tomoaki Tamaki, Chairman, Department of Radiation Oncology and Professor at Fukushima Medical University, Japan 

Mr Antero Abrunhosa, Director of the Institute for Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health, Universidade de Coimbra, Portugal  

Mr Habib Nehme, Chief Commercial Officer, Elekta Solutions AB 

Mr Mike Sathegke, Professor and Head of Nuclear Medicine Department, University of Pretoria and Steve Biko Academic Hospital, South Africa 

11:20-12:10     Panel 1.2: ZODIAC: Pandemic Preparedness

Moderator:  Ms Diana Paez, Head, Nuclear Medicine and Diagnostic Imaging Section, Division of Human Health, Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, IAEA 

Panellists: 

Mr Manlaijav Gunaajav, Secretary of the Nuclear Energy Commision, Nuclear Energy Commission, Mongolia

Mr Georg Langs, Head of the Computational Imaging Research Lab (CIR), Medical University of Vienna, Austria  

Mr Kibum Ahn, Senior Researcher, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI), Republic of Korea 

Mr Christoph Russ, Technical Program Manager, Healthcare Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML), Amazon Web Services 

Mr Adis Softic, Research Advisor, University of Sarajevo - Veterinary Faculty, Bosnia and Herzegovina 

12:10-13:00     Panel 1.3: Environmental Health

Moderator:  Ms Celina Horak, Section Head Radioisotope Products ＆ Radiation Technology, Division of Physical and Chemical Sciences, Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, IAEA 

Panellists: 

Mr Kwaku Afriyie, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Ghana  

Mr Jordan F. Madrid, Research Specialist, Department of Science and Technology, Philippine Nuclear Research Institute, Philippines  

Ms Amira Zaouak, Assistant Professor, National Center for Nuclear Science and Technology, Tunisia 

Mr Alexander Hofmann, Head, Department of Recycling Management, Fraunhofer Institute for Environment, Safety and Energy Technology 

Mr Winchester Lemen, President, Envirotech Waste Recycling Inc. 

Ms Maria Jose Marin Jarrin, Professor, Faculty of Maritime Engineering and Marine Sciences, Escuela Superior Politecnica del Litoral (ESPOL) 

13:00 - 14:30      Lunch break

13:00 – 14:30     Side Events

14:30 – 16:30    Session 2: ATOMS4FOOD: Tailor-made solutions for food security and safety

Global agrifood systems face the critical challenge of fulfilling the food security and nutritional needs of a growing population while mitigating their environmental footprint. The urgency for transformation is highlighted by the alarming figures of hunger and food insecurity, with 738.9 million people hungry and over 3.1 billion unable to access healthy diets as of 2022, worsened by the pandemic and other global crises. Using nuclear techniques, the IAEA assists Member States in reaching their food security goals throughout the value chain from farm to the table, including soil and water management, plant breeding, animal health and production, food safety, sterilizing techniques, and including food irradiation, the detection of contaminants, verification of the origins and authenticity of food, and the establishment of international standards. This session convenes experts to explore nuclear technological approaches aimed at promoting food security and safety. Through dynamic panels, attendees delve into topics ranging from postharvest management and soil optimization to climate-smart agriculture and consumer protection. Discussions highlight cutting edge solutions such as radiation-induced mutations for crop improvement and nuclear techniques in food preservation. By addressing key challenges and leveraging advanced technologies, and through collaborative endeavours to bolster regulatory frameworks, innovation, enhance capacitybuilding initiatives, and facilitate knowledge exchange, the session endeavours to foster resilience and sustainability in the global food security and safety, in particular, the pivotal role the IAEA will continue to play ultimately enhancing the well-being of communities worldwide.

Keynote speaker:  Mr Qu Dongyu, Director General, FAO 

14:30-15:30     Panel 2.1: Green and sustainable food production

Moderator: Mr Shaukat Abdulrazak, Director, Division for Africa, Department of Technical Cooperation, IAEA  

Panellists: 

Mr Kobenan Kouassi Adjoumani, Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Food Production, Cote D’Ivoire 

Mr Angel Manuel Manero Campos, Minister of Agrarian Development and Irrigation, Peru  

Ms Mounira Azouz, Researcher in Food Science, Food Safety Agro Food Technology and Human Nutrition, National Institute for Agricultural Research, Algeria 

Mr Le Duc Thao,  Deputy Director General, Agricultural Genetics Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Viet Nam 

Ms Meseret Tesema Terfa, Associate Professor of Plant Physiology at Hawassa University, Ethiopia

15:30-16:30     Panel 2.2: Food-consumer protection and marketability

Moderator: Mr Martin Krause, Director, Division of Programme Support and Coordination, Department of Technical Cooperation, IAEA 

Panellists: 

Ms Monique Lacroix, Professor, National Institute of Scientific Research (INRS), Canada 

Mr Michael Bank, Senior Scientist, Institute of Marine Research, Norway  

Mr Kepher K. Kateu, Director, Directorate of Government Analytical Laboratories, Uganda 

Mr Russel Frew, Chief Scientist, Oritain Global Limited 

Mr Alain Strasser, General Manager, Aerial 

16:30 – 17:10    Session 3: Women in Science: The role of women in science for sustainable future

The goal of this session is to provide an overview of women’s journey in science. From the challenges they have faced to their successes, women from different stages of their careers will share their experiences, helping to pave the way for future generations of women to become more involved and feel more empowered. Speakers will stem come from different spheres including technical – hands-on experts, the private sector and academia. The session will also provide concrete examples of how the application of nuclear science and technologies has helped women around the world to better their lives and those of their communities, providing new ways for them to prosper, flourish and thrive. The goal of this session is to provide an overview of women’s journey in science. From the challenges they have faced to their successes, women from different stages of their careers will share their experiences, helping to pave the way for future generations of women to become more involved and feel more empowered. Speakers will stem come from different spheres including technical – hands-on experts, the private sector and academia. The session will also provide concrete examples of how the application of nuclear science and technologies has helped women around the world to better their lives and those of their communities, providing new ways for them to prosper, flourish and thrive. 

Moderator:  Ms Laura Holgate, Ambassador and Resident Representative,  Permanent Mission of the United States of America (USA) to the IAEA 

Panellists: 

HH Princess Mashael Bin Saud Al-Shalan, Chairwoman of the Board, Women and Energy Association, Saudi Arabia (VIDEO MESSAGE) 

Ms Anahit Avanesyan, Minister of Health, Armenia 

Ms Rajaa Cherkaoui, Regional Vice President, African Academy of Sciences 

Ms Klau Chimelskowa, Executive Director, Lafiya Nigeria & Nizami Ganjavi International Centre Young Leader

Mr Shaukat Abdulrazak, Director, Division for Africa, Department of Technical Cooperation, IAEA

17:10 – 20:30    Ministerial Segment (continued)

THURSDAY, 28 NOVEMBER 2024

08:00 – 08:45    Side Events

09:00 – 11:30    Session 4 : Climate Change: Together for a sustainable planet

Climate change is one of the biggest environmental challenges affecting the planet and humanity. The IAEA helps countries use nuclear science and technology to monitor emissions and environmental changes to the ocean and ecosystems, mitigate sources of greenhouse gas emissions, and adapt to new climate realities including food and water shortages and ecosystem losses, convenes stakeholders to address the multifaceted challenges of climate change and collaboratively pursue solutions for a sustainable future. Through dynamic panels, participants explore the contribution of nuclear power to decarbonize energy systems and other sectors, strategies for climate mitigation and adaptation, efficiency improvement in industrial processes, and addressing the interconnected dynamics of climate, water, and oceans. Discussions encompass innovative approaches such as leveraging nuclear energy for low-carbon transitions, utilizing radiation technology for materials production, and mobilizing climate financing to support sustainability initiatives. By fostering collaboration, knowledge exchange and based on Member States experience the session aims to catalyze collective action towards a resilient and equitable response to climate change, safeguarding the health of the planet for future generations, in particular through the development of net zero pathways supported by the IAEA Atoms4NetZero initiative.

09:00-09:50     Panel 4.1: Climate mitigation

Moderator:  Mr Wei Huang, Director, Division of Planning, Information and Knowledge Management, Department of Nuclear Energy, IAEA 

Panellists: 

Ms Samantha Jane Graham-Maré, Deputy Minister of Electricity and Energy, South Africa 

Mr Lixin Shen, General Manager, Department of International Cooperation, China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), China  

Mr Abdullah Bugrahan Karaveli, President, Turkish Energy, Nuclear and Mineral Research Agency (TENMAK), Türkiye  

Mr Hamad Al Kaabi, Ambassador and Resident Representative, Permanent Mission of the United Arab Emirates to the IAEA 

Mr Atte Harjanne, Researcher and Member of the Finnish Parliament, Finland 

Mr Junhua Li, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (VIDEO MESSAGE) 

Ms Sama Bilbao y León, Director General, World Nuclear Association  

Mr Guido Maiulini, Strategic Advisor, Latin American Energy Organization (OLADE)

09:50-10:40     Panel 4.2: Climate monitoring

Moderator:  Ms Florence Descroix-Comanducci, Director, Marine Environment Laboratories, Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, IAEA 

Panellists: 

Mr Francisco Arias, Director General, The Institute for Marine and Coastal Research  (INVEMAR), Colombia 

Ms Helen Findlay, Professor, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, United Kingdom

Mr Milos Markovic, Senior Director of Sales Worldwide, Picarro 

10:40-11:30     Panel 4.3: Climate adaptation

Moderator:  Ms Dongxin Feng, Director, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, IAEA

Panellists: 

Mr Orlando Vega, Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Ministry of Science, Innovation, Technology and Telecommunications, Costa Rica  

Mr Luxiang Liu, Executive Director General, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China

Mr Mohamed Ibrahim Nasr Salem, Ambassador and Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Egypt to the United Nations in Vienna

Mr Ahmed Kablan, Senior Science Advisor, United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Food Safety and Inspection Service, USA  

Ms Cecilia Kinuthia-Nienga, Director, Intergovernmental Support and Collective Progress Division, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) 

Ms Mamta Sharma, Deputy Regional Director, Asia Cluster Leader, Precision Phenotyping for Biotic, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) 

11:30 – 13:00    Session 5: Water Resources: Managing scarcity by powering innovative solutions

Access to sustainable and safe drinking water is a major factor in meeting the needs of a growing population and to maintain human health. It is also crucial for sustainable food and energy production, as well as environmental protection. Nuclear isotopic techniques provide key information about water sources and the impact of climate in water availability. The IAEA promotes the application of nuclear techniques to all aspects of freshwater resource assessments and water management and protection. It also provides training in isotope hydrology data analysis and measurement methods, as well as expert services and analyses. This session delves into the critical issue of water scarcity, offering insights into innovative solutions driven by nuclear technology. Through dynamic panels, participants explore the multifaceted challenges of water availability and sustainability, as well as the role of nuclear technology could play.

11:30-12:10     Panel 5.1: Harnessing nuclear technology for water availability across the water cycle

Moderator: Ms Jodie Miller, Head, Isotope Hydrology Section, Division of Physical and Chemical Sciences, Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, IAEA 

Panellists: 

Ms Karina Meredith, Director, Environment Research and Technology Group, Australia's Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), Australia 

Mr Miloš Bavec, Director, Geological Survey of Slovenia, Slovenia  

Ms Farai Angela Tunhuma, Global Senior Advisor Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), UN Children's Fund (UNICEF)  

Mr Amgad Elmahdi, Regional Manager, Middle East and North Africa (MENA), Green Climate Fund  

Ms Priscilla Lartsey, Research Fellow, University of Ghana, Ghana 

12:10-13:00     Panel 5.2: Isotopes for better management

Moderator: Ms Tzanka Wheldon, Director, Division of Physical and Chemical Sciences, Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, IAEA 

Panellists: 

HRH Royal Highness Prince Lonhkokhela, Minister of Natural Resources and Energy, Eswatini 

Mr Nader Al Awadhi, Executive Commissioner, International Cooperation, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, Kuwait  

Mr Michael Schembri, Chief Policy Officer for Energy and Water Agency, Malta  

Mr Hamid Marah, Director General, National Center for Energy Sciences and Nuclear Techniques (CNESTEN), Morocco 

13:00 - 14:30      Lunch break

13:00 – 14:30     Side Events

14:30 – 17:30    Session 6:  Technical Cooperation for Sustainable Development

Participants engage in dialogues centered on the IAEA's Technical Cooperation Programme, which facilitates the transfer of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes to Member States, aiding them in addressing pressing challenges across various sectors. It will provide a platform for sharing success stories, best practices, and lessons learned from Technical Cooperation Projects implemented in collaboration with the IAEA. Additionally, the role of the IAEA laboratories in developing new tailormade technologies for Member States needs will be featured. Participants will explore strategies for enhancing the effectiveness, efficiency, and impact of the Technical Cooperation Programme in supporting sustainable development initiatives, particularly in developing countries. Emphasis is placed on fostering partnerships, building capacity, and leveraging innovation to address emerging development priorities.

The technical cooperation programme is the IAEA’s primary mechanism for transferring nuclear technology to Member States, helping them to address key development priorities in areas such as health and nutrition, food and agriculture, water and the environment, industrial applications, and nuclear knowledge development and management. Through the technical cooperation programme and the use of these nuclear techniques, the IAEA contributes directly to 9 of the 17 SDGs. This session convenes experts to explore the essential contribution of technical cooperation in advancing sustainable development goals. Through three panels, participants delve into the unique features and achievements of the IAEA, showcasing its various modalities of providing technical assistance to the Member States. Moreover, discussions focus on strengthening partnerships and mobilizing resources, emphasizing South-South and Triangular collaboration, collaborating centers, and engaging youth and non-traditional donors. By fostering dialogue and knowledge exchange, the session aims to inspire collective action towards leveraging technical cooperation for sustainable development worldwide.

14:30-15:30     Panel 6.1: From the lab to the field: the unique features of the IAEA

Moderator: Ms Tzanka Wheldon, Director, Division of Physical and Chemical Sciences, Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, IAEA 

Panellists: 

Mr Eduardo Martinez Diaz, Vice Prime Minister, Cuba 

Mr Ibrahim Othman, Director General, Syrian Atomic Energy Commission (SAEC), Syrian Arb Republic 

Mr Tomislav Bokulic, Assistant Professor, University of Zagreb's Department of Physics, Croatia  

Ms Josefina Hamutoko, Vice-Chairperson, Namibian Hydrogeological Association, Namibia 

Mr Jaya Gurung, Senior Research Specialist and Executive Committee Member, Nepal Development Research Institute (NDRI), Nepal 

Mr Jonathan Burnett, Head, Terrestrial Environmental Radiochemistry Laboratory, Division of Physical and Chemical Sciences, Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, IAEA 

15:30-16:30     Panel 6.2: The Technical Cooperation Programme in the 21st Century- Showcase

Moderator: Mr Luis Carlos Longoria Gandara, Director, Division of Latin America and the Caribbean, Department of Technical Cooperation, IAEA & Mr Saul Perez Pijuan, Section Head, Division of Technical Cooperation for Latin America and the Caribbean, IAEA

Panellists: 

Mr Belete Mola Getahun, Minister of Innovation and Technology of Ethiopia and Chair of African Regional Co-operative Agreement for Research, Development and Training related to Nuclear Science and Technology (AFRA)   

Ms Lili Xiao, Chair, Regional Co-operative Agreement for Research, Development and Training Related to Nuclear Science and Technology (RCA) 

Mr Bilal Nsouli, Chair, Co-operative Agreement for Arab States in Asia for Research, Development and Training related to Nuclear Science and Technology (ARASIA) 

Mr Alex Wetzig, Chair, Co-operation Agreement for the Promotion of Nuclear Science and Technology in Latin America and the Caribbean (ARCAL) 

Mr Viktor Mazepov, Director for International Cooperation, Rosatom Technical Academy, Russian Federation 

16:30-17:30     Panel 6.3: Strengthening partnership and resource mobilization

Moderator: Ms Lisa Stevens, Director, Division of Programme of Action for Cancer Therapy, Department of Technical Cooperation, IAEA 

Panellists: 

Mr Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Minister of Health, Indonesia (VIDEO MESSAGE) 

Dr Ala Nemerenco, Minister of Health, Republic of Moldova  

Mr Byungyeoup Chung, Director of Advanced Radiation Technology Institute (ARTI), KAERI, Republic of Korea  

Mr Ilhom Mirasizoda, Director, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Safety & Security Agency, Tajikistan  

Ms Debora Lepre, Ambassador and Resident Representative, Permanent Mission of the Republic of Italy to the IAEA 

Ms Dima Al-Khatib, Director, United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC)

Mr Roland Rott, President and CEO Imaging, GE Healthcare 

17:30 – 18:00    Closing Session