The second Country Programme Framework (CPF) document of Botswana was signed on 21 September within the framework of the IAEA General Conference by Hon Johnie K Swartz, Minister of Infrastructure, Science and Technology, Botswana and Ms. Ana Maria Cetto, Deputy Director General, Head of the IAEA Department of Technical Cooperation. The CPF constitute the frame of reference for technical cooperation programme between Botswana and the International Atomic Energy Agency for the period 2011-2016. In the mutually agreed strategy for matching nuclear technology to national priorities for sustainable development, the focus of the cooperation will be on the following areas:
1. Human health- establishing radiotherapy and nuclear medicine, nutrition intervention programmes, tracking drug resistance.
2. Agriculture development-Tsetse and Trypanosomosis control, monitoring transboundary animal diseases, crop improvement and nutrition.
3. Water resources-ground water resources assessment, and development of national hydrological database
4. Safety and security of radioactive sources and nuclear material-occupational, public and medical exposure control, environment protection and emergency preparedness.
Being the second planning initiative since the first CPF was implemented; the current CPF has the benefit of lessons learnt and a more informed approach to effective and beneficial implementation of technical cooperation activities. Its credibility hinges on the structured consultative process between the Agency and competent national authorities at the policy and operational levels taking into consideration the current national development plans.
Botswana has been a member of IAEA since 2002