Turkmenistan and IAEA: focus on promising areas of cooperation
In November, a delegation from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) visited Ashgabat, which included representatives of various departments of this international organization.
The visit of the IAEA mission became the first step towards developing a program of technical cooperation with Turkmenistan. To this end, the Agency’s staff held a number of negotiations in public institutions, including ministries of health and medical industry, agriculture and water resources, public utilities, ministry of defense, Academy of Sciences and fuel and energy complex.
The IAEA’s team also visited the radioactive waste disposal area, the cancer center and several laboratories of the public health system.
The exchange of views that took place during the meetings promoted a deeper understanding of the tasks of future cooperation with the new member state.
“Some early examples may include connectivity with the International Nuclear Information System, access to energy planning tools, participation in the Internet Reactor Laboratory”, said Ian Gordon, head of Waste Technology section at the Department for Nuclear Energy, commenting the promising areas of cooperation.
“Through these discussions, we got a clearer view of the safety aspects and regulatory infrastructure in Turkmenistan. This has helped both Turkmenistan and the IAEA to consider areas for cooperation, which will bring benefits in improving the safety of patients, workers, public and the environment”, added Ronal Pacheco, head of Unit for Control of Radiation Sources at the Department for Nuclear Safety and Security.
The IAEA is the international center for cooperation in the nuclear field, the world’s “Atoms for Peace” organization within the United Nations family. Since its establishment in 1957, the Agency works with its 168 Member States worldwide to promote the safe, secure and peaceful use of nuclear technologies.
The decision on Turkmenistan's membership was approved in September 2015 during the 59th session of the IAEA General Conference. The full membership was gained in February 2016, when the United States, which is the IAEA's depositary, deposited the instrument of Turkmenistan's acceptance of the Agency's statute. The Embassy of Turkmenistan to Austria acts as the Permanent representation to the IAEA.
