Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 25-29 September, the 67th session of the General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was held in Vienna, in which representatives of 177 member states took part, Dunyo news agency reported.

During the week, participants discussed the annual report for 2022, the budget for 2024, strengthening nuclear science and safety, as well as the IAEA’s activities in these areas. About 110 side events were held on climate change, zoonotic diseases and the Agency’s Rays of Hope initiative.

In parallel with the conference, the scientific forum “Nuclear Innovation for Net Zero” was held, associated with the IAEA Atoms4NetZero initiative, which explored innovative ways to use nuclear power for a greener, more affordable and secure energy transition.

At the opening of the conference, Director General Rafael Grossi reported on the work and achievements of the agency over the past year and took the oath of office in connection with re-election to a second four-year term.

The IAEA General Conference was attended by a delegation of Uzbekistan consisting of Director General of the Uzatom Agency Bahram Mansurov, President of the Academy of Sciences Bekzod Yuldashev, Deputy Minister of Health Farrukh Sharipov and others.

During the plenary session of the IAEA General Conference, the head of the Uzbek delegation made a report in which he listed successful joint projects of Uzbekistan with the IAEA in the field of development of nuclear infrastructure, nuclear medicine, operational safety of a nuclear research reactor and strengthening of educational laboratories.

During the General Conference, the delegation of Uzbekistan held a number of meetings and negotiations.

During the meeting with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, issues of developing bilateral cooperation, strengthening cooperation and expanding the volume of assistance to Uzbekistan were discussed. Gratitude was expressed for Uzbekistan’s participation in the COMPASS project, aimed at developing a system for accounting and control of nuclear materials and safety measures, it was proposed to expand cooperation in the field of nuclear medicine and cancer treatment within the framework of the Rays of Hope program, and the importance of maintaining the independence of the republic’s regulatory body in field of radiation safety.

The Uzbek side thanked for the support and confirmed its commitment to international obligations in the field of nuclear safety, observing the requirements and recommendations of the IAEA.

At a meeting with Deputy Director General, Head of the IAEA Department of Nuclear Energy Mikhail Chudakov, the implementation of the Integrated Work Plan (IWP) regarding the development of nuclear infrastructure in the country was discussed. The Uzbek side was invited to take part in the 2nd International Conference on Climate Change and the Role of Nuclear Energy, which will be held from October 9 to 13 this year in Vienna.

The parties agreed to organize an interregional seminar in 2024 in Uzbekistan with the participation of representatives of the countries of the region, dedicated to advanced technologies in the field of nuclear reactors and will be held within the framework of the INPRO program (Innovative Projects in the Field of Nuclear Energy Development).

At a meeting with the Deputy Director General of the IAEA, Head of the Department of Nuclear Science and Applications, Nazhata Mokhtar, the current state and achievements in the use of nuclear technologies in various fields, including economics, medicine and agriculture, were discussed.

Uzbekistan’s achievements in the field of scientific research, applied work and the use of ionizing radiation sources for various purposes, including diagnosis and treatment of diseases, sterilization of products and radiation protection were highly appreciated.

During the meeting, the Deputy Director General of the IAEA invited the delegation of Uzbekistan to take part with an exhibition stand at the IAEA ministerial conference scheduled for November 2024. This conference will be devoted to discussing issues related to nuclear science and the use of nuclear technologies.

At a meeting with the Deputy Director General, Head of the IAEA Safeguards Department, Massimo Apparo, Uzbekistan’s strict fulfillment of its obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the Agreement on the Application of Safeguards was welcomed. Massimo Aparo expressed gratitude to the Government of the Republic for strict compliance with international obligations, requirements and recommendations of the IAEA to ensure nuclear safety, as well as for participation, among the first countries, in the COMPASS project, aimed at developing the country’s capacity to implement an effective system for accounting and control of nuclear materials and security measures.

Meetings were also held with Deputy Directors General, Head of the IAEA Department of Nuclear and Security Lidie Evrard, Head of the IAEA Technical Cooperation Department Liu Hua, delegations of China and the United States and others.

Following the meetings of the IAEA General Conference, resolutions were adopted on “Application of IAEA safeguards in the Middle East”, “Implementation of the Agreement between the IAEA and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea on the application of safeguards in connection with the NPT”, “Nuclear safety, nuclear security and safeguards in Ukraine” , “Restoring Sovereign Equality at the IAEA.”