IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi was in Paraguay this week as part of ongoing support for the country's use of nuclear science to advance its development in the areas of food security, cancer care and clean energy.
Mr Grossi met with President Santiago Peña Palacios and other senior Paraguayan officials to discuss enhancing cooperation with the IAEA through several Agency flagship initiatives, including Atoms4Food, Rays of Hope and Atoms4NetZero. They also discussed closer cooperation on sustainable mining of uranium and other strategic materials to help protect the environment.
The power of the atom drives progress on several fronts.
As President @SantiPenap said today as we met, "we want Paraguay to be a success story in the field of peaceful nuclear applications." @IAEAorg will work with 🇵🇾 to advance #Atoms4Food, #RaysOfHope, #Atoms4NetZero. pic.twitter.com/xawix6Sr7z
— Rafael MarianoGrossi (@rafaelmgrossi) December 23, 2024
Other participants in the meeting included Minister of Health María Teresa Barán Wasilchuk, Minister of Public Works and Communications Claudia Centurion, Minister of Industry and Commerce Javier Giménez, acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Victor Verdún, Vice Minister of Mines and Energy Mauricio Bejarano, and Jorge Andrés Molina Insfrán, Chair of the Board of Directors and Minister Executive Secretary of the Radiological and Nuclear Regulatory Authority.
Atoms4Food
Through cooperation on Atoms4Food, the IAEA and Paraguay can work together to strengthen food security for the country's population using agricultural practices that benefit from nuclear and isotopic applications.
President Peña highlighted the relevant role of Latin America and Paraguay in particular as a global food producer. The Director General emphasized the role that nuclear technology can play in optimizing food productivity and strengthening food safety.
The IAEA has already been supporting Paraguay with climate smart agricultural techniques and mutation breeding to improve the productivity, resilience and nutritional value of key food crops.
The IAEA is also supporting the establishment of Paraguay's first public sector DNA diagnostic laboratory to improve livestock breeding, as well as the country's efforts to strengthen national water monitoring programmes and the national capacity to use isotope hydrology tools in water resources projects.
Rays of Hope: Cancer Care for All
Mr Grossi visited the National Cancer Hospital 'Professor Dr. Manuel Riveros' (INCAN), which has been a beneficiary of Rays of Hope, the IAEA's flagship initiative to bridge the global gap in cancer care by expanding access to radiotherapy treatment where it is most needed.
Since Paraguay joined Rays of Hope in 2023, the IAEA has donated two mammography units to INCAN and the Hospital Distrito Bogado Itapuá through the initiative. Earlier, the IAEA provided the country's third linear accelerator (LINAC) to INCAN, enabling the use of novel radiotherapy techniques to treat cancer patients. The Agency also procured the country's first public sector brachytherapy system for treating cervical cancer and its first public sector gamma camera for cancer imaging.
Visited 🇵🇾 @Incanpy, where @IAEAorg & #RaysOfHope have significantly improved cancer care. From a mammography unit to LINAC radiotherapy systems, these advancements are reducing patient waiting times & saving lives. Proud to continue supporting Paraguay in this essential effort. pic.twitter.com/2EoCSqm8QY
— Rafael MarianoGrossi (@rafaelmgrossi) December 24, 2024
Atoms4NetZero
In his meeting with the president, Mr Grossi referred to the key role that nuclear energy, together with renewables, has in building a robust clean energy system, particularly considering the advantages offered by small modular reactors.
Paraguay's Vice Minister of Mines and Energy, Mauricio Bejarano, recognized the support provided by the IAEA in energy planning and expressed willingness to double efforts to train young professionals who will be in charge of Paraguay's future energy strategy.
Atoms4NetZero helps countries to harness the power of nuclear energy in the transition to net zero by providing them with the scientific evidence and technical expertise they need.
Paraguay is currently developing a nuclear energy programme implementing organization, which plays an important coordinating role in every phase of nuclear power infrastructure development. Cooperation with the IAEA's Atoms4NetZero initiative can support these efforts.
"The President is leading Paraguay's energy planning with a vision of the future, integrating different sources, including nuclear," Mr Grossi said in a briefing with Paraguayan journalists. "The IAEA is here, accompanying Paraguay and providing all the requested technical and safety support. It is a key moment in Paraguayan energy development and we are beginning to take the first steps on this path."
During his visit to Paraguay, Mr Grossi was awarded the National Order of Merit 'Comuneros' by the National Congress Chamber of Deputies for his efforts to advance the peaceful uses of nuclear technology and in recognition of the assistance that the IAEA provided to Paraguay, which saved countless lives during the COVID-19 pandemic and in the fight against cancer.
Honored to receive the National Order of Merit 'Comuneros,' conferred by @DiputadosPy. This recognition reflects the shared commitment of @IAEAorg and 🇵🇾 Paraguay to harnessing nuclear science for sustainable development. pic.twitter.com/VZ97BChEp8
— Rafael MarianoGrossi (@rafaelmgrossi) December 23, 2024
Mr Grossi also received an honorary doctoral degree from the National University of Asunción, Paraguay's oldest university.
Deeply grateful to receive a Doctor Honoris Causa from Univ. Nacional de Asunción @una_py. Nuclear science plays a key role in achieving sustainable development goals, and @IAEAorg & 🇵🇾 are working together to empower the next generation of nuclear leaders. pic.twitter.com/tl2N4AO5F7
— Rafael MarianoGrossi (@rafaelmgrossi) December 24, 2024
