Vienna: The Sultanate of Oman has extended its commendation to the initiative spearheaded by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) aimed at utilizing nuclear technologies for agricultural and food production purposes, with a particular focus on ensuring the sustainability and safety of food.
The Sultanate of Oman has expressed its enthusiastic interest in becoming a part of this initiative.
This announcement was made during Oman's address delivered prior to the 68th session of the General Conference of the IAEA.
The address was read aloud by Yousef Ahmed Al Jabri, the Permanent Representative of the Sultanate of Oman to the IAEA.
Al Jabri highlighted the significant role that nuclear science and technology play in addressing the pressing global challenges of our time.
"Acknowledging this importance, the Sultanate of Oman has signed a technical cooperation framework agreement with the IAEA for the period spanning from 2024 to 2029. This agreement marks the third such mandate for the Sultanate of Oman," he elaborated.
The framework encompasses cooperation programs in various sectors including radiation safety, agriculture and food safety, human health, water resources, environment, and cultural heritage.
Al Jabri emphasized that the first technical cooperation cycle under this framework, covering the period from 2024 to 2025, has already seen the initiation of new projects aimed at combating agricultural pests, ensuring the safety of food, improving medical radiation practices, and enhancing the infrastructure for radiation safety.
Al Jabri affirmed Oman's commitment to collaborate with the IAEA and all member states in achieving the Agency's objectives and strengthening its pivotal role in promoting peace and development.
He expressed gratitude and appreciation towards the Government of Japan for its support to the IAEA in hosting a scientific team from Oman, comprising five experts and specialists from the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, and Sultan Qaboos University (SQU). This team was invited to learn from the experiences of Japanese institutions in the development and implementation of programs for monitoring and controlling viral and human diseases, as well as the strategies for the implementation of these programs.
Furthermore, Al Jabri welcomed the admission of the Federal Republic of Somalia and the Cook Islands into the membership of the IAEA.
