IAEA Ministerial Conference to Spotlight Nuclear Science, Technology and Technical Cooperation Programme to Address Global Challenges

Ministers and senior officials of governments and international organizations will convene at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) next week to discuss the role of nuclear science and technology in tackling some of the world's most pressing challenges. The IAEA Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Science, Technology and Applications and the Technical Cooperation Programme will take place in Vienna, Austria, from 26 to 28 November 2024.

IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi will open the conference on Tuesday, 26 November, at 09:30 CET, alongside Co-chair of the Conference Kai Mykkänen, Minister of Climate and the Environment, Finland; Co-chair of the Conference Kwaku Afriyie, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Ghana; Dongyu Qu, Director General, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO); Ailan Li, Assistant Director-General, Universal Health Coverage/Healthier Populations, World Health Organization (WHO); Shaimaa Al-Sheiby, Vice President for Public Sector and Strategy, the OPEC Fund for International Development; Demetrios Papathanasiou, Global Director, Energy and Extractives Global Practice, the World Bank; and Tom McCulley, Chief Executive Officer, Anglo American Crop Nutrients. This is the second Ministerial Conference of its kind.

A ministerial declaration is expected to be adopted on 26 November, recognizing the role of nuclear science and technology and the Technical Cooperation Programme in addressing global challenges, advancing the 2030 Agenda and fostering international collaboration for peaceful purposes, with a focus on capacity building and equitable access for all Member States.

The conference will take place in Boardroom B/M1, M Building, Vienna International Centre (VIC). The conference, including the ministerial segments, technical sessions and panels, is open to media and will be livestreamed. The provisional programme is available here.

Nuclear applications are an integral part of the technological solution to address development challenges the world is facing today, including climate change, health, food safety and security, and water resource management. Since the first Ministerial Conference in 2018, the IAEA launched the Zoonotic Disease Integrated Action (ZODIAC), NUclear TEChnology for Controlling Plastic Pollution (NUTEC Plastics), Rays of Hope, Atoms4NetZero and, together with the FAO, the Atoms4Food initiative. Through these initiatives, the IAEA can support its Member States and mobilize resources to realize the full potential of nuclear solutions towards global goals.

Among 1400 participants, more than 50 high-level officials, including ministers, are expected to deliver national statements. The scientific and technical programme comprises panel discussions among ministers, scientists and experts on the latest developments in nuclear science, technology and applications. Member State's representatives will also share experiences on how the IAEA Technical Cooperation Programme has contributed to their national development.

Accreditation

All journalists interested in covering the meeting in person - including those with permanent accreditation - are requested to inform the IAEA Press Office of their plans. Journalists without permanent accreditation must send copies of their passport and press ID to the IAEA Press Office by 14:00 CET on Monday, 25 November.

We encourage those journalists who do not yet have permanent accreditation to request it at UNIS Vienna.

Please plan your arrival to allow sufficient time to pass through the VIC security check.