The IAEA highlighted the importance of nuclear science and technology in addressing the world’s challenges at the fifth United Nations Conference on Least Developed Countries (LDCs), held in Doha, Qatar this month.
“Nuclear science is unique in the scale and breadth of its applications: scientists have unlocked the power of atoms to deliver reliable low carbon energy; to fight diseases; to study scarce water resources; to develop hardier crops; and to tackle pollution in the ocean and on land,” said Hua Liu, Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Technical Cooperation, who led the IAEA delegation at the conference. “The data that nuclear science and technology provides us with – reliable, accurate, evidence-based data – is a vital support for the policy and decision makers responsible for the sustainable use of resources and the delivery of services.”
The decennial conference, which took place from 5-9 March, was convened by United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres and brought together UN Member States, including 46 heads of state, as well as UN LDC Resident Coordinators and representatives of international organizations. In a series of high-level roundtables and plenary sessions, attendees discussed the need for tangible commitments to help the 46 LDCs reach the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The IAEA’s participation served to underscore the IAEA’s support for the Doha Programme of Action. Through roughly 600 ongoing technical cooperation projects, the IAEA contributes to least developed countries’ efforts to achieve the SDGs.
The IAEA works in partnership with other institutions to ensure sustainable results. The Agency joined private sector representatives, government officials and financial institutions at a three-day Private Sector Forum, which was organized in the framework of the conference, in cooperation with the Microsoft Corporation. The Private Sector Forum was aimed at forging new partnerships and encourage investment in the LDCs. At the conclusion of the conference, the Doha Programme of Action saw new pledges from several stakeholders as clear commitments towards further support.
“We are grateful that the IAEA provides support to 46 countries in Africa, in areas such as food and agriculture, health, water and the environment, and radiation technology. The AFRA Regional Collaborating Centres play a valuable role in building regional expertise. Experts from LDCs can come to more developed countries to train in specific areas,” said Professor James Kahindi, Chair of AFRA’s High-Level Steering Committee for Human Resource Development and Nuclear Knowledge Management, who participated in an IAEA side event at the conference.