On 25 November, ahead of the IAEA Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Science, Technology and Applications and the Technical Cooperation (TC) Programme, over 160 National Liaison Officers from 122 countries gathered at the IAEA headquarters in Vienna in regional groups to review the implementation status of the technical cooperation programme, receive updates on the flagship initiatives, and plan and design projects for the next technical cooperation cycle.
The event was opened by IAEA Director General Mariano Grossi who highlighted the importance of such exchanges. "These exchanges can help in the efficient implementation of the IAEA technical cooperation programme," Mr Grossi said.
In addition to providing an overview of the IAEA's latest initiative, Atoms4Food, the Director General also launched a three-volume report during the NLO Meeting, Prospects and Achievements of the IAEA Technical Cooperation Programme in the 21st Century. The report, summarizes the achievements realized through the TC programme during the past two decades in around 150 countries, including at least 35 least developed countries.
This is the second time that NLOs from all regions have met in person to participate in a combined meeting-the first was at the 2017 International Conference on Technical Cooperation.
Understanding the Programme's Impact
More than 160 National Liaison Officers from close to 30 countries in all four technical cooperation regions attended the day-long event. (Photo: J. O'Brien/IAEA)
The successful implementation of the TC programme relies on the National Liaison Officers and Assistants (NLAs), who together form the principal interface between the IAEA and its Member States on matters related to the planning, formulation and implementation of projects. Appointed by their national governments, NLOs manage the strategic direction of their country's TC programme, aligning it to national development needs and priorities.
For NLOs to lead the national process of designing and implementing effective projects, familiarity with the technical cooperation programme, available nuclear technology and the results previously achieved through IAEA support are all necessary.
The Prospects and Achievements of the IAEA Technical Cooperation Programme in the 21st Century report responds to this need by offering programme stakeholders, policymakers, IAEA partners and other interested parties a comprehensive overview of the programme, results obtained, and achievements reached.
The first volume of the Prospects and Achievements report, provides a broad description of IAEA technical cooperation activities, their aims and impact. The report also provides a forward-facing analysis of the programme and examines directions for future support to Member States.
From the year 2000 to 2023, more than 70,000 experts from around the world benefitted directly from IAEA training. An additional 35,000 fellowships and scientific visitors, including over 10,000 female scientists and experts were supported during the same period. In the 23 years covered by the report, more than €2 billion in funds have been channeled through the TC programme in support of the development ambitions of the Agency's Member States.
The second volume examines the qualitative impact and positive influence the programme has had on global sustainable development across several thematic areas, including human health, food and agriculture and energy planning, among others. It also presents the programme from a regional perspective, highlighting the need for relevant partnerships in supporting shared ambitions.
The final volume of Prospects and Achievements focuses on achievements realized on a country-by-country basis, presenting how national development priorities are addressed by TC projects, tailored to take into consideration the conditions, needs and capacities on the ground.
The Director General urged the attending NLOs to use the examples of the report to illustrate the positive impact of the IAEA work in their respective country.
Training the Next Generation of NLAs
The new publication provides an overview of technical cooperation activities since 2000, highlighting their impact on daily life across the world, and examines the future direction of the TC programme. (Photo: J. O'Brien/IAEA)
A fourth cohort of National Liaison Assistants (NLAs), who graduated after a three-month group fellowship training programme hosted at the IAEA's headquarters in Vienna, Austria, is also attending the Ministerial Conference.
The nine NLAs completed aseries of training, lectures, hands-on work, and site visits, designed to help them carry out their duties related to the TC programme. Upon completion on 29 November, the National Liaison Assistants will return home to help steer technical cooperation activities in Chad, Egypt, Marshall Islands, Paraguay, Slovakia, Syria, Togo, Türkiye and Venezuela.
