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

WEDNESDAY, 27 NOVEMBER 2024 - Morning

• Leveraging Nuclear Technology and Solar Energy to Improve Women’s Healthcare, Environmental Sustainability and Pandemic Preparedness for Africa
  
  This side event will bring together leaders from African governments, leaders from the G7 and G20, alongside WHEN’s network of women investors, philanthropists, and private sector partners. Discussions will delve into blended financing models aimed at strengthening the resilience of health systems through the implementation of nuclear science and technology and the renewable energy electrification of health facilities in Sub-Saharan Africa, and build the political support that is needed to implement models on the ground. At the session, leaders will work collaboratively to create an investment roadmap delineating potential funding sources, mechanisms, and strategies to mobilize capital for blended financing projects that incorporate nuclear technology and renewable energy in the African health sector. It will further serve to identify high-impact case studies in key sectors, and outline metrics and indicators for social impact and financial returns of models for solar for health and nuclear science and technology. This event is organized by Kenya.
  
  This event will be held on Wednesday, 27 November 2024, from 8.00 a.m. to 8.45 a.m. in in Conference Room M2, M Building, 1 floor.
   

• The Importance of Irradiation to Global Wellbeing
  
  Will highlight how the application of irradiation technologies (gamma, electron-beam, and X-ray) supports health, safety, economies, and global environment. This event is organized by the INTERNATIONAL IRRADIATION ASSOCIATION
  
  This event will be held on Wednesday, 27 November 2024, from 8.00 a.m. to 8.45 a.m. in in Conference Room M3, M Building, 1 floor.

• Rosatom Tech: dozen years of successful cooperation with the IAEA on capacity building in embarking countries
  
  An event in a dialogue format between the experts and the Member States interested in sharing and gaining knowledge in developing nuclear power programme. This event is organized by the Russian Federation.
  
  This event will be held on Wednesday, 27 November 2024, from 8.00 a.m. to 8.45 a.m in Conference Room M5, M Building, Ground floor.

• From Labs to Riches: Scaling Up the Non-Power Applications of Atomic Energy

  
  Nuclear technology can lead to groundbreaking innovations that save lives, lift people out of poverty, transform entire industries, and bring to bear novel sustainable solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges. However, while the power-related applications of atomic energy have already been scaled up and commercialized, non-power applications have not received the same attention and support. 

  What happens to many non-power applications projects after they pass the proof-of-concept stage? What kinds of non-power research projects make it to industrial application? What are the challenges and barriers to entry? What entices industry partners to adopt the technology?

  “Labs to Riches” is a play on the famous phrase “from rags to riches.” The event seeks to examine best practices in scaling up non-power applications of atomic energy and will feature speakers from 3 countries: one who will share how their company is using recycled plastics to make furniture (Philippines); another who will share their experience in applying nuclear technology at scale in agriculture (Australia); and another who will share the progress on the projects under their technical cooperation programme (Viet Nam). The presentations will be followed by an open forum.

  Insights from the speakers and the audience are envisioned to be turned into a compilation of best practices in upscaling non-power applications. This event is organized by Philippines.
  
  This event will be held on Wednesday, 27 November 2024, from 8.00 a.m. to 8.45 a.m. in Conference Room M6, M Building, Ground floor.

• Getting the Dose Right: - Upholding Quality Standards in Radiotherapy
  
  For more than 60 years, the IAEA’s Dosimetry Laboratory in Seibersdorf has played a vital role in facilitating the safe and effective use of ionizing radiation in medical procedures. It establishes and disseminates best practices; supports the training of medical physicists and radiation metrologists; and provides critical dosimetry audit and calibration services to Member States across the globe Japanese experts and private companies are contributing to those services with their expertise and high-tech products. This side event will highlight how the IAEA and Japan's technological capabilities assure high-quality care that is an integral part of the Rays of Hope initiative and, in turn, helps to realize global cancer initiatives and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This event is organized by Japan. 
  
  This event will be held on Wednesday, 27 November 2024, from 8.00 a.m. to 8.45 a.m. in M7, M Building, Ground floor.

• Nuclear Applications for Newcomer Country-Türkiye
  
  Cultural artifacts and historical objects are often threatened by biological agents such as insects, fungi, and bacteria. Traditional methods of disinfection can be invasive and potentially harmful to delicate materials. Radiation technology offers a non-invasive alternative that ensures the preservation of artifacts without physical contact. Gamma and electron beam radiation are commonly used for the sterilization of cultural heritage objects.
  
  This type of radiation penetrates deep into materials, effectively killing pests and microorganisms. It is particularly useful for treating organic materials such as wood, textiles, and paper, which are susceptible to insect infestations and mold growth. In this regard, several studies on paper, textile and wood were carried out for Ottoman Archives, Sadberk Hanım Museum, Ethnography Museum, and other museums in several cities. Nuclear techniques contribute to the repatriation of cultural heritage, emphasizing their role in ensuring the integrity and proper handling of these invaluable objects. Authentication is a critical aspect of repatriation, as it helps verify the origin, age, and authenticity of artifacts.
  
  Nuclear techniques offer non-invasive and highly precise methods for these purposes, providing essential data that supports repatriation claims. In this context, illicitly taken several artifacts were repatriated to Türkiye after examination of those artifacts using nuclear techniques. On the other hand, understanding the internal structure and composition of cultural artifacts is crucial for their conservation.  In addition, X-ray radiography imaging technique is a widely used for detailed insights without causing harm, examining the internal structure of artifacts. It helps in identifying hidden features, such as underdrawings in paintings, previous restorations, or structural weaknesses. Writings on tablets hidden in envelope produced from clay. Babylonian, Sumerian, and Assyrian tablets were decoded exhibited in Museum of Anatolian Civilization by using X-Ray imaging techniques.
  
  Türkiye has an important production potential in terms of field crops (wheat, barley, chickpeas, etc.), horticultural crops (grapes, fruits, and vegetables), and ornamental plants. Türkiye keeps up a vigorous breeding program to create new cultivars that are more productive and of higher quality while having a high tolerance to diseases, pests, shifting climatic conditions, and soil deterioration.
  
  The significance of mutation breeding has grown, particularly since the 1985s. In this context, the Turkish Energy Nuclear and Mineral Research Agency (TENMAK) leads the adaptation and application of the mutation breeding technique to breeding studies and collaborates the Governmental Agricultural Research Institutes, relevant university departments, and private seed companies in the entire country.
  
  In economically significant species like wheat, barley, chickpeas, beans, grapes, apples, apricots, oranges, pistachios, tea, tomatoes, lettuce, green beans, and chrysanthemums, breeding for mutations and related biotechnological techniques are used to boost yield and quality as well as provide drought tolerance. Mutation breeding studies are carried out using gamma irradiation sources within TENMAK.
  
  Besides the gamma rays induced mutation studies, some studies are also being carried out simultaneously with chemical mutagens. Especially in the last ten years, studies supported by in vitro mutations and molecular techniques have been increased. This event is organized by Türkiye.
  
  This event will be held on Wednesday, 27 November 2024, from 8.00 a.m. to 8.45 a.m. in E-Space, M Building, 1 floor.

WEDNESDAY, 27 NOVEMBER 2024 - Lunchtime