Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General International Atomic Energy Agency, inaugurated Zoonotic Disease Integrated Action (ZODIAC) Laboratory at the Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology (NIAB) Faisalabad on the second day of his official visit to Pakistan on Thursday.
Learning from Covid-19 pandemic, ZODIAC initiative was launched by IAEA in June 2020 to help countries prevent pandemics caused by bacteria, parasites, fungi or viruses that originate in animals and can be transmitted to humans. Using a systematic and integrated approach, ZODIAC will strengthen the preparedness and capabilities of IAEA Member States to detect and timely respond to outbreaks of such diseases.
During his visit to Nuclear Institute for Agriculture & Biology (NIAB), one of the four agriculture research centres established by Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), the DG announced to designate NIAB as ‘IAEA Collaborating Centre’ for capacity building in agricultural research. He also received briefing on the Institutes’ work to develop new strains of cotton, wheat, rice and other crops. Together these agriculture research centres of PAEC have so far successfully produced 132 high-yield, pest-tolerant and climate-resilient crop varieties.
Later, the DG IAEA held a meeting with Chairman Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA), Mr. Faizan Mansoor at PNRA headquarters. He expressed satisfaction over the quality and extent of nuclear safety and security put in place by Pakistan and the role of nuclear regulator in its effective implementation.
On this occasion, DG IAEA also inaugurated the upgraded National Radiation Emergency Coordination Centre (NRECC) at PNRA headquarters. The centre, which functions round-the-clock, is responsible for coordinating with PNRA licensees, the government, and IAEA in case of any nuclear or radiological emergency. He also visited the National Institute of Safety and Security (NISAS), which IAEA has recently designated as IAEA Collaborating Centre for capacity building in Nuclear Security.
DG IAEA, Rafael Mariano Grossi also held a meeting with Chairman Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) Dr. Raja Ali Raza Anwar at PAEC headquarters in Islamabad to discuss matters of mutual interest especially about 65 years of IAEA-PAEC collaboration and the recent impetus in the bilateral relations aiming to achieve UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Director General appreciated Pakistan’s active contribution in the Agency’s efforts to build capacity in other countries in the region by providing experts and hosting training courses. It is to mention here that Pakistan is a founding member of the IAEA and since 1957 has been enjoying mutually beneficial collaboration with the Agency on peaceful uses of nuclear energy. Pakistan also regularly serves in the IAEA’s Board of Governors and is one of the largest recipients of the IAEA’s Technical Cooperation Program in peaceful uses of nuclear technology. On the other hand, scientists and engineers from Pakistan have contributed to the Agency’s work in various fields. It is pertinent to mention that PAEC’s Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS) is already serving as Collaborating Centre for IAEA in Pakistan.
