A National Seminar on the Peaceful Applications of Nuclear Techniques, organized by the IAEA in cooperation with the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR), has taken place from 30 to 31 May under the patronage of Dr. Samira A. S. Omar, KISR’s Director General. The aim of the Seminar was to take stock of progress made in Kuwait with regard to the peaceful application of nuclear science and technology, and to identify and discuss opportunities for the further promotion of safe and secure nuclear technologies as viable tools for scientific advancement and socioeconomic development in Kuwait.
The May Seminar was attended by over 60 eminent national scientists, researchers and health professionals, together with international IAEA experts. In her welcome statement, KISR’s Director General Dr. Omar expressed her appreciation for the excellent relationship and the strong ties forged over the past years with the IAEA. She referred in particular to the instrumental role of the IAEA’s technical cooperation programme as the key mechanism to support national efforts for the sustainable promotion of peaceful applications of nuclear technology.
Dr. Nader Al-Awadhi, National Liaison Officer (NLO) for the IAEA, who was deeply involved in the organization of the Seminar, made a comprehensive presentation on ‘Kuwait-IAEA Cooperation: Nuclear Science and Technology Serving National Socio-Economic Development’. He provided insights into the IAEA’s core mandate and the Agency’s programmes and mechanisms for technology transfer, as well as milestones reached in the cooperation between Kuwait and the IAEA. Dr Al-Awadhi also described the IAEA technical cooperation projects currently active in Kuwait, as well as their accomplishments to date. He focused on achievements made in building national capacities and in applying appropriate nuclear technologies in order to respond to Kuwait’s priority needs and to address broader issues of regional and international significance.
The Seminar provided a forum for scientists and researchers to exchange information, to present ongoing activities, and to collaboratively explore new opportunities and plans for future developments in the priority areas identified by Kuwait. Participants also benefitted from the first-hand experience of stakeholders, who were able to describe—in concrete terms, and with concrete outcomes—national progress thus far achieved in applying nuclear solutions to the country’s most pressing development challenges. To further enhance the outcomes of the Seminar, the organizers arranged for bilateral consultations between the international experts and the prospective national counterparts. These consultations focussed on the design of the new national technical cooperation projects that have been submitted by the State of Kuwait to the IAEA for consideration as part of the 2018–2019 TC programme cycle.
Background
Nuclear science and technology is widely applied around the world, contributing to sustainable development in a range of socioeconomic fields, including human health, agriculture, water management, industrial applications, and environmental protection. The Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR), which has hosted the National Liaison Office (NLO) for the IAEA since 2002, is leading national efforts to maximize the development benefits of nuclear science and technology. Supported by the IAEA, KISR is spearheading close collaboration with various national stakeholders in support of the development of relevant applications in many areas.
