The Regional Cooperative Agreement for Research, Development and Training Related to Nuclear Science and Technology for Asia and the Pacific (RCA) has supported the development of technical and human resource capacities in more than 20 countries through more than 150 technical cooperation (TC) projects, since 1972. RCA representatives recently convened for the 50th Annual RCA Meeting to not only deliver reports regarding recent and ongoing activities, but to reflect on accomplishments made possible by the Regional Agreement. The 50th anniversary of the RCA Agreement will be observed in 2022.
More than 100 national representatives and delegates from across the region met online, 16 and 17 September before the 65th IAEA General Conference, to explore new directions to advance the work of the RCA.
“Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the RCA has continued to implement its regional programme successfully,” said Hua Liu, IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of the Technical Cooperation Department. “Seventeen regional training courses and meetings and 40 expert missions have been carried out in 2021, alone, with eight more training courses expected before the end of the year.”
Assessing impact
Two socioeconomic impact assessments on radiotherapy and non-destructive testing (NDT) launched during the meeting. The new assessments highlight the impact of IAEA-supported activities in Asia and the Pacific, regarding both radiotherapy services and industrial applications of non-destructive testing techniques in 22 countries over nearly 20 years.
“These assessments will help to mark the 50th anniversary of the RCA Agreement,” said Sinh Van Hoang, IAEA Programme Management Officer and focal person for the RCA Agreement. “The meeting highlighted the importance of regional cooperation and knowledge exchange under the RCA.” Two publications released in 2020 presented regional impact stories, including the success of plant mutation and breeding programmes.
