IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano Commends Egypt for Sharing Expertise in Nuclear Science and Technology
IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano (centre) meets with Egyptian
Foreign Minister Sameh Hassan Shoukry (right) as well as the Minister of
Energy and Electricity Mohamed Shaker (left). (Photo:T. Sarwat/IAEA)
IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano has acknowledged the importance
of Egypt as a partner of the Agency and commended its willingness to
share its expertise in nuclear science and technology with other
countries in the region.
Speaking at the Egyptian Ministry for Foreign Affairs on 7 April 2015, Director General Amano highlighted the benefits of the peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology in human and animal health, food production and management of water resources, as well as in the generation of electricity.
Speeding up cancer control
In the area of cancer control, which is one of his top priorities, the IAEA Director General mentioned how impressed he was with the high quality of care at the Children’s Cancer Hospital during his last visit to Egypt in 2010.
Working with partners such as the World Health Organization, the IAEA “helps to ensure that developing countries which lack access to proper cancer facilities will, before long, enjoy the benefits of hospitals as good as your Children’s Cancer Hospital,” he elaborated.
With the pace of innovation in cancer control speeding up as well as rapid advances in areas such as medical imaging, radiotherapy is becoming even more accurate and precise, he said. “The Agency will continue to do all it can to help ensure that the best cancer care becomes available to patients in all the countries of the world, regardless of their level of development.”
Egypt is also a mentor country in “the IAEA Virtual University for Cancer Control network, known as VUCCnet. This is an exciting venture which combines e-learning and traditional teaching approaches to provide high-quality training to cancer specialists in Africa,” Director General Amano said.
Through the IAEA technical cooperation programme and other services, developing countries can have access to peaceful uses of nuclear technology in areas such as human and animal health, food production and water resources management.
Energy as the engine of development
At this event, Director General Amano also noted Egypt’s decision to launch a nuclear power programme to help meet its energy requirements.
The need for electricity is rising at a time of heightened concerns worldwide over energy supplies, climate change, economic development and global security. One of the compelling issues is how energy demands can be fulfilled in conjunction with increased consumption and sustainable development. “Energy is the engine of development and economic growth. Demand for energy continues to grow steadily in all countries,” he said.
“We are proud to be your partner as you embark on the road towards nuclear power,” expressed Mr Amano. Egypt already has considerable expertise in the nuclear field, with two operational research reactors and other relevant facilities.
“Nuclear power can help to improve energy security, mitigate the effects of climate change, and make economies more competitive. Nuclear can deliver the steady supply of baseload electricity needed to power a modern economy,” stated Mr Amano.
Safety and security key to nuclear power plants
Using nuclear power for peaceful purposes also requires stringent safety and security standards to be maintained and implemented. “It goes without saying that safety is key to the future development of nuclear power,” Mr Amano said.
Lessons learnt from nuclear power plant accidents such as in Fukushima Daiichi in March 2011 have resulted in “significant and lasting improvement in safety at nuclear power plants all over the world,” Mr Amano pointed out. “I have seen major improvements in safety features in every nuclear power plant that I have visited since the accident. This gives me confidence that nuclear power will remain an important part of the energy mix of many countries for decades.”
The IAEA looks forward to strengthening its cooperation with Egypt in the coming years in all peaceful applications of nuclear technology as well as in strengthening nuclear security, Mr Amano said.
Nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East
Another topic that Director General Amano touched upon in his statement was the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East. “In 2011, I hosted an IAEA Forum on the subject in Vienna. One of the key lessons I took away was that it is possible to have a constructive dialogue on the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone, despite the complexity of the issue and differences of view among States concerned. The IAEA will continue to do everything in its power to assist with the establishment of a new nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East,” he said.
During his official visit to Egypt, Mr Amano also met with the Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab, the Foreign Minister Sameh Hassan Shoukry and the Minister of Energy and Electricity Mohamed Shaker.
Speaking at the Egyptian Ministry for Foreign Affairs on 7 April 2015, Director General Amano highlighted the benefits of the peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology in human and animal health, food production and management of water resources, as well as in the generation of electricity.
Egypt is an important partner for the IAEA and participates actively in all areas of our work.“Egypt is an important partner for the IAEA and participates actively in all areas of our work,” Mr Amano said. “In recent years, the IAEA has also worked with Egypt in areas such as the production of radioisotopes for medical purposes, water resource management and food security. Egypt also shares its expertise in nuclear science and technology with other countries in this region, for which I am very grateful.”
Speeding up cancer control
In the area of cancer control, which is one of his top priorities, the IAEA Director General mentioned how impressed he was with the high quality of care at the Children’s Cancer Hospital during his last visit to Egypt in 2010.
Working with partners such as the World Health Organization, the IAEA “helps to ensure that developing countries which lack access to proper cancer facilities will, before long, enjoy the benefits of hospitals as good as your Children’s Cancer Hospital,” he elaborated.
With the pace of innovation in cancer control speeding up as well as rapid advances in areas such as medical imaging, radiotherapy is becoming even more accurate and precise, he said. “The Agency will continue to do all it can to help ensure that the best cancer care becomes available to patients in all the countries of the world, regardless of their level of development.”
Egypt is also a mentor country in “the IAEA Virtual University for Cancer Control network, known as VUCCnet. This is an exciting venture which combines e-learning and traditional teaching approaches to provide high-quality training to cancer specialists in Africa,” Director General Amano said.
Through the IAEA technical cooperation programme and other services, developing countries can have access to peaceful uses of nuclear technology in areas such as human and animal health, food production and water resources management.
Energy as the engine of development
At this event, Director General Amano also noted Egypt’s decision to launch a nuclear power programme to help meet its energy requirements.
The need for electricity is rising at a time of heightened concerns worldwide over energy supplies, climate change, economic development and global security. One of the compelling issues is how energy demands can be fulfilled in conjunction with increased consumption and sustainable development. “Energy is the engine of development and economic growth. Demand for energy continues to grow steadily in all countries,” he said.
“We are proud to be your partner as you embark on the road towards nuclear power,” expressed Mr Amano. Egypt already has considerable expertise in the nuclear field, with two operational research reactors and other relevant facilities.
“Nuclear power can help to improve energy security, mitigate the effects of climate change, and make economies more competitive. Nuclear can deliver the steady supply of baseload electricity needed to power a modern economy,” stated Mr Amano.
Safety and security key to nuclear power plants
Using nuclear power for peaceful purposes also requires stringent safety and security standards to be maintained and implemented. “It goes without saying that safety is key to the future development of nuclear power,” Mr Amano said.
Lessons learnt from nuclear power plant accidents such as in Fukushima Daiichi in March 2011 have resulted in “significant and lasting improvement in safety at nuclear power plants all over the world,” Mr Amano pointed out. “I have seen major improvements in safety features in every nuclear power plant that I have visited since the accident. This gives me confidence that nuclear power will remain an important part of the energy mix of many countries for decades.”
The IAEA looks forward to strengthening its cooperation with Egypt in the coming years in all peaceful applications of nuclear technology as well as in strengthening nuclear security, Mr Amano said.
Nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East
Another topic that Director General Amano touched upon in his statement was the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East. “In 2011, I hosted an IAEA Forum on the subject in Vienna. One of the key lessons I took away was that it is possible to have a constructive dialogue on the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone, despite the complexity of the issue and differences of view among States concerned. The IAEA will continue to do everything in its power to assist with the establishment of a new nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East,” he said.
During his official visit to Egypt, Mr Amano also met with the Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab, the Foreign Minister Sameh Hassan Shoukry and the Minister of Energy and Electricity Mohamed Shaker.
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