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DDG-TC's Official Visit to Mexico

15 March 2017
DDG-TC's Official Visit to Mexico, February 2017. Photo © Reinhard Link, Mexico - Chichén Itzá, the Kukulcán pyramid, 12/9/2015 Mr Dazhu Yang, IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Technical Cooperation, made an official visit to Mexico from 19 to 22 February 2017. He visited multiple partner institutions and scientific research centres working with the IAEA, and had an opportunity to see first hand several IAEA technical cooperation (TC) projects ongoing in the country.Local experts at the National Institute of Nuclear Investigations (ININ), Mexico City, demonstrate radiation detection systems and instrumentation modules built for the Laguna Verde Nuclear Power Plant. Ms Lydia Paredes, Director General, National Institute of Nuclear Investigations (ININ) presents the procedure for the storage of radioactive waste at the Central Storage Facility for Radioactive Waste (CADER), in line with the required safety standards. CADER is a temporary storage centre operated by ININ. It holds low- and medium-level radioactive waste generated by non-power activities in Mexico, such as the application of radioactive materials in industry, medicine and research from all over the country.Mr Yang inspecting equipment that was procured through the IAEA, at the Central Storage Facility for Radioactive Waste (CADER). Mr Yang met staff from the Ministry of Energy (SENER) and nuclear sector institutions. SENER is the main partner of the IAEA in Mexico. During the meeting, the IAEA's contribution to strengthening Mexico's nuclear capabilities was widely acknowledged. The importance of signing the Country Programme Framework in January 2017, as a guide to technical cooperation projects and activities on the peaceful uses of nuclear energy in topics as diverse as energy generation, nuclear safety and security, human health, agriculture and environment, was highlighted.While in Mexico, Mr Yang met Mr Antonio Molpeceres, United Nations Resident Coordinator and Ms Gerry Eijkemans , WHO Representative in Mexico, and Ms Alicia Ituarte of FAO. The UN representatives discussed the role of the United Nations agencies and programmes in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), taking into account Mexico's development needs. Opportunities for collaborative work between the IAEA and PAHO in Mexico were discussed in areas such as cancer control, radiation safety, efforts against Zika, obesity and nutrition. The FAO presented projects they have carried out to support the fishing industry in Campeche.During his visit to the National Institute of Nuclear Research, Mr Yang was able to witness the impact of ININ-IAEA’s collaboration in the areas of quality control and radiological protection in medical imaging, as well as the Gamma irradiation plant, the nuclear forensic research laboratory, the laboratory of research and development of radiopharmaceuticals, the hot-cell laboratory, and the Triga Mark III nuclear research reactor.During his visit, Mr Yang met physicists, chemists, and nuclear medicine engineers from ININ that have received support from the TC Programme to participate as fellows, scientific visitors and in training courses. The group is shown here with the Director of ININ and Mexico’s National Liaison Officer.Mr Yang observes ININ’s hot cell for the production of radiopharmaceuticals.ININ uses drones and mobile units for environmental monitoring and to detect radioactive sources, and conducted a demonstration for the visiting IAEA staff.Examining one of the ININ drones used for the detection of orphan sealed radioactive sources. Pictured, Mr Dazhu Yang (DDG-TC), Mr Raul Ramirez (Section Head-TCLAC) and Ms Lydia Paredes (Director General, ININ).ININ drones are equipped with real-time video and radiation monitoring for use in a nuclear emergency situation, as well as in routine radiation monitoring and mapping activities.The IAEA is committed to the fight against cancer in Mexico and worldwide. The IAEA delegation visited the National Institute for Cancer (INCAN) on 22 February. Pictured with the IAEA delegation in front of the INCAN cyclotron: Ms Bibiana Gomez (Director for International Nuclear Affairs, SENER, and National Liaison Officer, IAEA), Mr Osvaldo Garcia, (Head of Nuclear Medicine Department INCAN), Mr Enrique Gil (Advisor on Chronic Diseases PAHO).Special thanks to: Ministry of Energy (SENER), National Institute of Nuclear Investigations (ININ), Central Storage Facility for Radioactive Waste (CADER), National Institute for Cancer (INCAN) Photos from the field provided by: SENER, Mr Armando Humberto Iturbe (ININ), Mr Héctor Ruiz López (INCAN) Captions & Arrangement: Carla Cueva and Julia Krickl, IAEA Department of Technical Cooperation ©2017 IAEA Department of Technical Cooperation

Mr Dazhu Yang, IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Technical Cooperation, made an official visit to Mexico from 19 to 22 February 2017.

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Last update: 15 February 2018

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