At the margins of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s 70th General Conference, national representatives met to discuss how regional cooperation can make nuclear science and technology more responsive to development priorities. Participants coordinated activities across four established regional frameworks: the African Regional Cooperative Agreement for Research, Development and Training Related to Nuclear Science and Technology (AFRA), the Cooperative Agreement for Arab States in Asia for Research, Development and Training (ARASIA), the Regional Cooperative Agreement for the Promotion of Nuclear Science and Technology in Latin America and the Caribbean (ARCAL), and the Regional Cooperative Agreement for Research, Development and Training Related to Nuclear Science and Technology for Asia and the Pacific (RCA). These platforms bring countries together around shared needs and practical collaboration.
European national liaison officers also reviewed cooperation in Europe and Central Asia, providing a regional perspective alongside the discussions among AFRA, ARASIA, ARCAL and RCA representatives. Across these settings, the common purpose was clear: to strengthen the contribution of nuclear science and technology to socioeconomic development. National, regional and interregional projects can help countries address challenges that cross borders, make technical expertise more accessible and apply established methods in fields such as health, agriculture, water management and industry. Cooperation also creates opportunities to learn from experience, avoid duplication and adapt solutions to different national circumstances.
The meetings offered practical working sessions rather than simply a forum for broad statements of intent. Representatives could assess progress, identify emerging needs and agree on priorities for future cooperation. They also provided a way to connect regional priorities with the IAEA’s technical cooperation programme, which supports countries in applying nuclear technologies through projects, expertise and training. This connection matters: regional partnerships can articulate common priorities, while national projects translate them into activities suited to local conditions. By bringing liaison officers and regional stakeholders together, the discussions helped align plans, clarify where collaboration could add value and keep development outcomes at the centre of technical cooperation. The shared framework therefore links national needs with collective action, helping partners make the benefits of nuclear science more relevant, coordinated and sustainable.
The 37th annual meeting of the African Regional Cooperative Agreement for Research, Development and Training related to Nuclear Science and Technology (AFRA) marked a leadership transition and reviewed regional progress. David Tshere of Botswana handed over leadership to Hamid Marah of Morocco. Marah said he would work to consolidate the gains made by AFRA and carry its programmes forward, underscoring the importance of continuity in regional cooperation. The meeting also provided an opportunity to consider how nuclear science can support practical development priorities across participating countries.
AFRA’s 2025 annual report highlighted expanded access to nuclear medicine and diagnostic services. New radiotherapy centres were established in Benin, Kenya and Malawi, strengthening capacity for cancer care. With funding from Japan, mammography units were supplied to 42 African countries, supporting earlier detection and improved access to breast screening. The report also recorded recommendations developed through the work of AFRA’s technical working group and endorsed by 49 participating parties. These recommendations help guide cooperation and programme planning across the network. Human health, food and agriculture, and radiation safety remain priority fields for AFRA, reflecting the wide application of nuclear techniques in public services, food systems and the safe use of radiation.
Regional collaboration is also advancing through the Arab Atomic Energy Agency’s cooperation network, ARASIA. It designated Iraq’s Iraqi National Radiation Centre (I-NRC) as a regional resource centre for environmental radiation monitoring. The designation formalizes Iraq’s role in providing expertise in qualitative and quantitative measurement, enabling other participating countries to draw on its technical capabilities. I-NRC joins a broader network of 11 ARASIA resource centres covering fields that include nuclear medicine, dosimetry and environmental monitoring. Together, these centres provide a structure for sharing specialist knowledge and supporting technical capacity across the region. AFRA’s programme development and ARASIA’s resource-centre network illustrate how regional partnerships can connect expertise with national needs, while building the skills and services required to apply nuclear science safely and effectively.
At the 27th annual meeting of the ARCAL regional cooperation programme, representatives from 21 Latin American and Caribbean countries reviewed achievements and priorities for joint nuclear science initiatives. The meeting highlighted the practical reach of regional partnerships: during 2025, 777 professionals took part in ARCAL activities, supporting the exchange of expertise and the application of scientific tools to development needs.
Projects have helped strengthen cancer care, improve food security and expand the use of the sterile insect technique to control insect pests. These efforts demonstrate how cooperation can connect technical knowledge with services and solutions that matter to communities. Members also reviewed plans for new large-scale projects, intended to align with International Atomic Energy Agency flagship initiatives and deliver greater impact through coordinated regional action.
In the Asia-Pacific, the Regional Cooperative Agreement (RCA) launched a social and economic impact assessment of its hydrology and groundwater projects. The forthcoming publication draws on two decades of work applying isotope techniques to understand water resources and support their sustainable management. Nearly 300 scientists from 19 countries have received training in isotope hydrology through RCA activities, building regional capacity to investigate groundwater systems and inform water planning.
The assessment will examine case studies in Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, illustrating how technical cooperation has contributed to practical outcomes. It follows earlier RCA impact assessments covering radiotherapy, mutation breeding, non-destructive testing, air-quality monitoring and food safety. Together, these reviews provide evidence of the breadth of the agreement’s work and help identify lessons for future projects.
IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi has emphasized the RCA’s important role in applying nuclear science peacefully to societal needs. By measuring results and sharing expertise across borders, regional programmes can show how nuclear techniques support health, agriculture, water management and environmental protection. The assessments also help members direct resources toward initiatives with clear benefits and strengthen the case for sustained cooperation.
National liaison officers from Europe and Central Asia reviewed how nuclear science projects are aligned with national priorities and regional needs. Their review covered 125 national projects and 17 regional projects, alongside progress in advancing flagship initiatives of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The discussions highlighted practical work underway, from improving access to cancer care and strengthening food systems to developing technical skills and institutional capability.
Under Rays of Hope, participants considered an impact review in Moldova and the designation of anchor centres in Estonia, Serbia, Slovenia and Türkiye. These centres can help extend access to radiotherapy and other cancer services by supporting regional collaboration, sharing expertise and strengthening the capacity of health professionals. The review in Moldova provides an opportunity to examine results and identify where further support can improve the reach and quality of cancer care.
Atoms4Food activities are also advancing across the region. In Albania, Georgia, Tajikistan, Türkiye and Uzbekistan, efforts are focused on strengthening food security and nutrition systems, including the use of nuclear techniques to support agricultural productivity and better-informed decisions. Planned assessment missions to Türkiye and Uzbekistan will help identify country priorities and opportunities for tailored technical cooperation. Such assessments can clarify where expertise, technology and training may make the greatest contribution to resilient food production and nutrition outcomes.
Together, these examples reflect the wider message of the meetings: regional cooperation helps countries share expertise, build durable capacity and direct nuclear applications toward development needs. By connecting national projects with regional knowledge and practical support, partners can strengthen work in health, agriculture and safety, while also addressing other priorities identified by countries. Continued coordination can help ensure that scientific capabilities are applied responsibly and deliver lasting value for communities across Europe and Central Asia.
