Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri, Minister for Foreign Affairs has said that Pakistan has gained substantially from the activities of RCA (Regional Co-operation Agreement) in the peaceful application of nuclear technology in areas of agriculture, health, industry, quality assurance and research reactor utilisation etc.
The minister was inaugurating the 26th meeting of Regional Co-operation Agreement (RCA) representatives for Research, Development and Training related to Nuclear Science and Technology, for Asia and the Pacific here on Monday.
Kasuri added that the forum has played an important role in the exchange of know-how for development, and its achievements are being widely regarded as an example of successful co-operative efforts in application of nuclear techniques.
The Minister noted that "We in Pakistan are ready to play our role in such co-operation, I am happy to say that in the field of application of nuclear techniques in Isotope Hydrology, Pinstech, a research institute of PAEC, has been declared Regional Resource Unit and we will be glad to share the experience of this centre with other member states."
The Foreign Minister told the participants that Pakistan keenly participates in IAEA activities as the country believes in regional co-operation for utilising nuclear energy for peaceful application.
Kasuri expressed his deep appreciation for the contribution made by the IAEA and the National Co-ordinators of RCA Member States for steering ahead the programme of RCA with dedication and diligence.
A press release of PAEC says that talking to the media, the Minister said that through peaceful application of nuclear techniques, Pakistan has evolved high-yield soil suitable crop varieties which have fetched the farmers nearly Rs 60 billion additional income.
This nuclear technology is being employed for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer-related diseases from which more than 300,000 patients are benefiting annually. Besides, nuclear know-how is being used in quality control technologies (Non-Destructive Testing) which will help improve the quality of our manufactured goods.
Earlier in his welcome address, Member PAEC (Physical Sciences), Dr Masud Ahmad said that the diverse, multidisciplinary and universal nature of nuclear science and technology requires that national efforts be complemented by co-operation at regional and international level.
Dr Masud observed that meeting like this reminds us that it is the primary responsibility of the agency, as well as moral obligation of the advanced countries, to introduce and promote use of atomic energy in socio-economic development.
Dr Peter Saleme, Director, Technical Co-operation, IAEA for Africa and Asia, said that nuclear technology can be used to significantly contribute to the solution of priority sustainable development challenges in the domain of water, energy, health, agriculture, industry and bio-diversity, and it is for this reason that IAEA seeks to enlarge the contribution of atomic energy for peace, health and prosperity throughout the world.
Dr Peter greatly appreciated Pakistan's contribution in achieving the objectives of technical co-operation strategy and thanked Pakistan for accepting IAEA fellows for training in its institutions in various sectors.
Dr Munim Awais, National Co-ordinator from Pakistan and also the current Chairman of the RCA meeting, said representatives from 17 countries of Asia and the Pacific are participating in this four-day meeting.
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