VIENNA: Pakistan and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) signed the fifth Country Programme Framework (CPF) for 2026–2031 on Wednesday during the ongoing IAEA General Conference in Vienna.
Dr. Raja Ali Raza Anwar, Chairman of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), signed the agreement on behalf of Pakistan, while Mr. Hua Liu, Deputy Director-General and Head of the IAEA’s Department of Technical Cooperation, signed on behalf of the agency.
The CPF outlines national priorities where nuclear science and technology will directly contribute to Pakistan’s socio-economic development. It builds on decades of cooperation and aligns with Pakistan’s development agenda, supporting global commitments like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The framework covers three Technical Cooperation cycles and identifies five key areas: food and agriculture, health and nutrition, climate change and water resource management, nuclear power, and radiation safety.
In agriculture, nuclear techniques will be applied to improve crop yields, pest control, livestock health, and food safety, in line with Pakistan’s food security and climate-resilient farming goals. In healthcare, the CPF aims to expand cooperation in nuclear medicine, radiation oncology, and radiopharmaceuticals, enhancing treatment capabilities at Atomic Energy Cancer Hospitals (AECHs), which serve over a million patients annually.
The environmental focus includes using isotope hydrology to monitor and manage water resources, vital for a country facing severe water scarcity and unpredictable weather. In the energy sector, nuclear power will continue to play a crucial role, with efforts directed at plant life management, waste management, and safe decommissioning to ensure long-term energy security.
The Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA) will further strengthen its oversight of nuclear activities with IAEA support in areas like emergency preparedness and radioactive waste disposal.
The CPF also advocates for gender equality, emphasizing women’s participation in science and ensuring equitable access to the benefits of nuclear technology.
Chairman PAEC Dr. Raja Ali Raza Anwar reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the peaceful use of nuclear technology, stating, “With the support of the IAEA, Pakistan will continue to harness these tools to address food security, healthcare, energy, and environmental challenges.”
Mr. Hua Liu welcomed Pakistan’s strong engagement, highlighting the CPF as a shared vision for sustainable development through peaceful nuclear cooperation.
The CPF 2026–2031 further strengthens Pakistan’s long-standing partnership with the IAEA and reinforces its role as a responsible Member State committed to global development through nuclear science.
