IAEA and Iraq Agree on Nuclear Energy Cooperation

Dr. Naeem Al-Aboudi, head of the Iraqi Atomic Energy Commission and Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, met with Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), at the agency’s headquarters in Vienna. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the IAEA’s 68th General Conference, where the two sides discussed collaborating in peaceful nuclear energy development.

Central to their discussions was the technical cooperation agreement signed between Iraq and the IAEA for 2024-2029. Dr. Al-Aboudi emphasised Iraq’s commitment to advancing nuclear energy programs, highlighting the need for the IAEA’s continued support in areas such as nuclear waste treatment, radioactive waste management, nuclear medicine, agriculture, and education. He stressed the importance of adhering to schedules that align with the specific scientific needs of Iraq.

Dr. Al-Aboudi also brought attention to the growing challenges posed by climate change, particularly water management and desertification. He expressed a desire to see enhanced collaboration between Iraqi universities and IAEA experts, particularly in agricultural research. Additionally, he advocated for expanded educational opportunities, calling for scholarships in nuclear engineering and nuclear physics, to build Iraq’s workforce in these critical fields.

In response, Rafael Mariano Grossi expressed his appreciation for Iraq’s proactive engagement with the IAEA, recalling the agency’s visit to Baghdad in March 2024. He reaffirmed the IAEA’s commitment to supporting Iraq in developing its peaceful nuclear capabilities, with a focus on fostering cooperation and technical expertise in the coming years.

The meeting underscores Iraq’s ongoing efforts to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and its growing collaboration with international partners in scientific and environmental advancements.

Source: Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research