COMSTECH has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening international scientific collaboration by deepening its partnership with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in the critical sectors of health and food security.
During a high-level visit to the IAEA Headquarters in Vienna, the Coordinator General COMSTECH, Prof Dr Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary, held productive meetings with Ms Najat Mokhtar, Deputy Director General of the Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, and Mr. Jean-Pierre Cayol, Department Programme Coordinator.
The meeting was attended by H.E. Mr. Muhammad Kamran Akhtar, Ambassador of Pakistan to Australia, and Dr Riaz, Technical Lead from the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, underscoring Pakistan’s active technical engagement in the initiative.
Under the existing Memorandum of Understanding between the OIC and IAEA, both sides agreed to implement joint projects in three African countries: Senegal, Nigeria, and Uganda.
The cooperation will focus on two major priority areas. The first involves strengthening radiation therapy and diagnostic services in nuclear medicine. This initiative will leverage the expertise of leading Pakistani institutions, including the Nuclear Institute for Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine (NURI), to enhance cancer treatment and diagnostic capabilities in the targeted countries.
The second area centers on post-harvest treatment through nuclear radiation technology aimed at reducing post-harvest losses. With technical support from Pakistani institutions, this intervention is expected to improve food preservation, enhance supply chain efficiency, and contribute significantly to food security in the participating nations.
Discussions also emphasized expanding knowledge sharing, technical cooperation, and institutional capacity building in health and agricultural applications of nuclear science. To ensure sustainability and financial backing, it was proposed that the Islamic Development Bank and the Islamic Solidarity Fund be engaged to support and strengthen the initiative.
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The meeting marked a significant milestone in advancing OIC-IAEA collaboration, reinforcing a shared commitment to sustainable development, improved healthcare infrastructure, and enhanced food security across Africa through peaceful applications of nuclear technology.
