Pakistan signs agreement with IAEA to enhance peaceful nuclear collaboration
In a significant development, a new six-year Country Programme Framework (CPF) has been signed between Pakistan and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The agreement, which was signed in 2026 and will last until 2031, took place on the sidelines of the IAEA General Conference in Vienna, Austria.
The CPF aims to strengthen cooperation in peaceful nuclear applications, focusing on areas such as food and agriculture, human health, climate change, nuclear power, and radiation safety to support Pakistan's socio-economic development.
Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) Chairman Dr Raja Ali Raza Anwar and IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Technical Cooperation Hua Liu signed the agreement. Dr Anwar stated that the signing of the CPF reaffirms Pakistan's commitment to the peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology.
The framework identifies five priority areas: food and agriculture, human health and nutrition, climate change and water resource management, nuclear power, and radiation and nuclear safety. It emphasizes safe plant operations, waste management, and life-cycle planning in the energy sector, where nuclear contributes over 18% of annual power generation.
One of the key areas of focus is the application of nuclear technology to manage water resources and adapt to changing weather patterns, given Pakistan's climate vulnerability. Nuclear techniques such as isotope hydrology will play a crucial role in this regard.
The CPF also focuses on expanding nuclear medicine and radiation oncology services across Pakistan's 20 Atomic Energy Cancer Hospitals, which treat over a million patients annually. This will significantly improve healthcare in the country.
Moreover, with the IAEA's support, Pakistan aims to address food security, improve healthcare, strengthen energy security, and safeguard the environment using nuclear technology. The expanded use of nuclear techniques in Pakistan's agriculture sector, accounting for nearly a quarter of the GDP, will boost crop yields, enhance pest control, and improve livestock health.
Liu referred to the agreement as a 'shared vision for sustainable development through peaceful nuclear cooperation.' The IAEA's role in concluding the 2026-2031 Country Programme Framework with Pakistan is represented by Hua Liu, the IAEA Deputy Director-General and Head of the Department of Technical Cooperation. The framework is a medium-term plan guiding technical cooperation, aligning with Pakistan's development goals and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
This new CPF reaffirms Pakistan's commitment to the peaceful use of nuclear technology and its dedication to achieving sustainable development through technical cooperation with the IAEA.
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