Utilising nuclear technologies to lessen impact
Chairman PAEC Dr. Raja Ali Raza Anwar addressed at the IAEA Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Science, Technology and Applications and the Technical Cooperation Programme held from 26-28 November 2024 at IAEA HQs, Vienna Austria.
The chairman PAEC presented Pakistan’s National Statement, during which he stated that presently humanity is facing a host of different and challenging problems such as climate change, water and food scarcity, ever increasing energy needs and environmental degradation at a fast pace.
He said that the solution to these problems is through the applications of nuclear science and technology in different aspects of our lives for the betterment of mankind and the globe.
Pakistan being severely and adversely affected by climate change is utilizing nuclear technologies to lessen the impact, such as setting up Nuclear Power Generation Plants to acquire clean and carbon neutral energy.
Despite our low contribution to global carbon emissions, Pakistan is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change. Pakistan is the 15th most water-stressed country in the world thus making water resource management as another challenge.
Applications of nuclear techniques have been instrumental in addressing water scarcity and thereby improving water quality.
Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology (PINSTECH), the premier R&D institute of the country, is engaged in close collaboration with the Agency on water resource management and has recently been designated as IAEA Collaborating Center on this critical area.
In order to promote clean sources of energy in the country, Pakistan is following a policy of promoting nuclear power in the country.
The current installed capacity of nuclear power is 3,530 MW, while another unit with the capacity of 1,200 MW is under
construction phase.
Chairman PAEC stated that to ensure human health, particularly in the realm of cancer care, PAEC is operating nineteen Cancer Hospitals across Pakistan, catering to a large number of cancer patients each year. The work being done in these cancer hospitals is commendable and has been recognized by IAEA as it has declared AECH NORI as an Anchor Center under the “Rays of Hope” Framework.
Chairman PAEC highlighted the different ways in which PAEC is utilizing nuclear science, technology and techniques to thwart the effects of climate change.
He stated that PAEC through its various R&D departments particularly PAEC’s Agriculture Centres are working to ensure food security by developing high yield crop varieties, pest control through nature friendly techniques, soil and environment preservation.
He further stated that there is a need to speed up cooperation between IAEA Member States to benefit from one another’s experiences and expertise. He thanked the IAEA for the continous opportunities of cooperation and reiterated Pakistan’s and PAEC’s commitments to ensure that such ventures initiated by the IAEA are fruitful for the global community.
