Category: Nuclear Security

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Through a project implemented by the IAEA in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Azerbaijani scientists and farmers have more than doubled their cotton yields by implementing climate-smart agriculture (CSAA) methods using nuclear and related technologies.

October 7, 2025

Artem Vlasov, IAEA Office of Public Information and Communication

Isotopic techniques are helping Azerbaijani scientists and farmers obtain crucial data to optimize fertilizer use and improve cotton production while protecting soil health. (Photo: M. Zaman/IAEA)

As part of a project implemented by the IAEA in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Azerbaijani scientists and farmers, by implementing climate-smart agriculture (CSAA) methods using nuclear and related technologies, were able to more than double their cotton yield. Thanks to the use of a new "cotton super" variety and the effective implementation of CSAA methods that increase agricultural productivity in a sustainable manner, yields in the pilot project increased from the national average of three tons per hectare to eight tons per hectare.

This pilot project was implemented in 2021 as part of an IAEA technical cooperation project. Its primary focus was developing CSA guidelines for cotton production, training Azerbaijani scientists and innovative farmers in CSA practices, and conducting on-farm pilot field trials. In 2022, another project began, aimed at improving best practices for nutrient application and soil and water management in cotton production. It also aims to increase cotton productivity, as Azerbaijan's lands are particularly vulnerable to climate change and soil degradation. Since 1991, the country's average annual temperature has increased by 0.4 degrees Celsius, while precipitation has decreased, and extreme weather events such as floods, droughts, and heat waves have become more frequent.

"Overall, soil nutrient application and water management strategies account for 60% of crop productivity gains," says Mohammad Zaman, a soil scientist at the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre for Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture and the project's lead specialist. "It's important to accurately determine the volume, mode, and stage of growth."

KSAH methods involve the use of isotopic techniques to obtain important data that allows for the optimization of fertilizer use and the improvement of agricultural production efficiency while maintaining soil health.

"When we first started, Azerbaijan's soils were severely degraded, fertility was very low, and the soil lacked a range of essential nutrients necessary for cotton growth," says Zaman. To address this issue, IAEA specialists developed and provided cotton growers with a full range of nuclear and related techniques covering a wide range of crop production aspects, including soil preparation, selection of the best cotton varieties, nutrient application, irrigation of cotton fields, and control of weeds, pests, and diseases.

"Using improved nutrient application, soil, and water management techniques, along with the Cotton Super variety, has allowed us to improve productivity, enhance quality, and increase profits," says Sakhavat Mammadov, a farmer from Azerbaijan who participated in the pilot project and has been implementing COSH practices on his farm for the past two years.

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The IAEA team at Ukraine's Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) today heard multiple rounds of incoming and outgoing shelling, adding to nuclear safety risks at a time when the plant has been without off-site power for nearly two weeks, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said.

The shelling occurred between 14:05 and 15:30 local time, totaling about 15 rounds at near and middle distance from the site, the team reported. Some explosions triggered car alarms, the team said.

Around the same time, the ZNPP informed the IAEA team that two rounds of shelling struck around 1.25 km from the site perimeter, in the vicinity of a fire extinguisher charging station. No casualties were reported and there was no immediate information of any damages.

While today's shelling – a common occurrence near the ZNPP in recent years – did not have an immediate impact on nuclear safety and security, it further underlined the constant dangers facing Europe's largest nuclear power plant during the armed conflict.

"The nuclear safety and security situation is clearly not improving. On the contrary, the risks are growing. The plant has now been without off-site power for almost two weeks, forcing it to rely on emergency diesel generators for the electricity it needs to cool its shutdown reactors and spent fuel. This is an extraordinarily challenging situation," Director General Grossi said.

"I once again call for maximum military restraint near nuclear facilities during the war. I'm also continuing to engage with both the Russian Federation and Ukraine with the aim to restore off-site power to the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant as soon as possible," the Director General said.

In the tenth and longest loss of off-site power suffered by the ZNPP during the conflict, the plant lost the connection to its last remaining 750 kilovolt line on 23 September. Eight emergency diesel generators are currently operating to provide back-up electricity to the site.

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New IAEA project to combat seafood counterfeiting using nuclear technology

Since the 1960s, per capita consumption of seafood—rich in calories, protein, and nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, minerals, and vitamins—has doubled and is projected to double again by 2050.

October 6, 2025

Rola Bou Khozam, Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications

Fish samples are collected as part of food monitoring programs in Member States. Photo: Maestroni/IAEA

Seafood is one of the most widely traded food commodities globally, contributing to food security and a source of income for the population. Since the 1960s, per capita consumption of seafood—rich in calories, protein, and nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, minerals, and vitamins—has doubled and is projected to double again by 2050.

However, the problem of seafood fraud is a growing global concern. As a result, food safety, consumer confidence, and economic stability are at risk. Through the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre for Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, the Agency is launching a five-yearcoordinated research project(PKI) to assist countries in strengthening food control systems to detect and prevent seafood fraud.

The project aims to protect consumers and producers, as well as to ensure fair trade practices in industries such as fisheries and aquaculture.

The IAEA will use nuclear and related techniques to build scientific capacity, ensure product authenticity, and enhance the sustainability and transparency of seafood supply chains.

As a result of the PKI, it is planned to create reference databases of isotopic and molecular characteristics of various seafood products for use in digital food traceability systems.

What is seafood adulteration?

Seafood counterfeiting often involves substituting expensive species with cheaper alternatives, mislabeling origin or fishing areas, selling farmed fish as wild or previously frozen fish as fresh, and using unauthorized or hidden additives. Seafood counterfeiting can occur at any stage of the supply chain—from production and processing to wholesale/retail distribution and distribution in food service establishments. As supply chains become more complex, monitoring and tracking become increasingly difficult, creating opportunities for fraud.

These criminal acts mislead consumers, hinder trade, and, in some cases, pose a serious health risk. For example, substitution of species can expose consumers to allergens, toxins, parasites, or pathogens. If the origin of seafood is incorrectly stated, the fishing grounds may be contaminated, fishing there may be prohibited, or they may be home to endangered species. Selling thawed fish as fresh poses a risk of microbiological risks or allergic reactions caused by compounds such as histamine. Labeling claiming that a product is organic or conforms to certain religious norms also requires verification of authenticity. To address these challenges, national and international food control systems must employ reliable, appropriate analytical methods.

How is counterfeit seafood detected using nuclear methods?

The Food Safety and Control Laboratory supports countries in the use of nuclear and related analytical methods to strengthen laboratory capacity, enhance regulatory oversight, and facilitate trade in safe, authentic seafood. These technologies can be a valuable tool for detecting fraud. When combined with traditional methods, they create a comprehensive evidence base, enabling more informed action to ensure food safety and authenticity.

One of the most effective methods is analyzing the ratios of stable isotopes of light elements—carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, oxygen, and hydrogen—in biological tissue, which reflects environmental conditions and the state of the environment. This allows scientists to determine the geographic origin of fish and verify whether they truly lived in the wild.

The effectiveness of stable isotope analysis can be enhanced by combining it with elemental composition determination methods such as X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, ion beam analysis, neutron activation analysis and mass spectrometry, and inductively coupled plasma atomic or optical spectrometry. Scientists also use nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to distinguish between different species, detect additives, and identify fraudulent practices, such as the sale of frozen fish as fresh.

High-resolution mass spectrometry allows scientists to study proteins (proteomics), small molecules (metabolomics), and lipids (lipidomics). The resulting molecular characteristics can be used to identify food safety hazards and verify labeling.

Research objectives

This CRP builds on previous projects on food authenticity and aims to enhance the capacity of countries, particularly low- and middle-income countries, to apply nuclear technologies to combat seafood fraud. The goals of this CRP include strengthening consumer protection, increasing trust in food control systems, and supporting sustainable water resource management.

The objectives of this program include the development and validation of fit-for-purpose analytical methods, the establishment of standardized sampling and preparation protocols, and the generation of new analytical data to address knowledge gaps in the detection of seafood adulteration.

The work under the CRP is planned to result in the creation of reference databases of isotopic and molecular characteristics of various seafood products. These databases will be used in digital food traceability systems to facilitate international trade and regulatory compliance.

Furthermore, the CPI will serve as a platform for expanding expertise, organizing technology transfer, regional cooperation, and training. Participating countries will have the opportunity to align their national seafood labeling regulations with Codex Alimentarius and international standards.

"This IAEA project provides Member States with a valuable opportunity to collaborate to combat fraud and mitigate risks in seafood supply chains using robust nuclear science-based tools. Information on the provenance of seafood can facilitate trade and sustainable development," said Debashish Mazumder, Project Manager for Food Provenance Verification at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation.

Over the course of five years, this CRP programme will produce IAEA scientific publications for sharing with food safety networks, regulators, and industry representatives. The long-term goal of the CRP is not only to ensure the authenticity of seafood but also to promote sustainability and fairness within seafood value chains, support small-scale fisheries, and combat illegal and unregulated fishing.

How to participate in this PKI

Research institutes interested in participating in this CRP should submit their proposal for a research contract or agreement by email to the IAEA Research Contracts Section no later than 31 October 2025, using the appropriate form at DKI web portal.

The IAEA is committed to gender equality and encourages a diverse workforce. Qualified women and candidates from developing countries are strongly encouraged to apply.

For further information related to this PKI, potential candidates should use the feedback form on the pagePKI.

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Five reasons to visit the IAEA Visitor Centre

The IAEA's new Visitor Centre is a first-of-its-kind place to learn about how nuclear science and technology help solve global challenges.

October 1, 2025

The IAEA's new Visitor Centre is a first-of-its-kind place to learn about how nuclear science and technology help solve global challenges.

Visit the new IAEA Visitor Centre in Seibersdorf, Austria, and learn how nuclear science helps solve some of the world's most pressing challenges—from food security and the clean energy transition to combating climate change and protecting global health.

The center features 33 interactive exhibits, digital displays, and real-life examples that demonstrate how the IAEA works with countries around the world to put the "Atoms for Peace and Development" principle into practice.

Don't miss these five key interactive exhibits:

1. Radiation in everyday life

A visitor uses a Geiger counter to measure the radiation emitted by a potassium sample. This is an example of natural radioactivity.

Did you know that the human body contains potassium—in quantities sufficient to trigger some radiation detectors? Due to the presence of potassium-40, the human body is a small but constant source of natural radiation that sensitive devices can detect. Try out a Geiger counter at an interactive exhibit and learn what levels of radiation are considered safe. You'll also learn why radiation isn't just a concern for nuclear power plants, but is a natural part of the environment and even present in the human body.

2. Arsenal of tools: what tools does a warranty inspector have in his toolbox?

Visitors are presented with life-size figures of IAEA safeguards inspectors who explain the special tools they use during verification activities.

When visiting nuclear facilities around the world, IAEA inspectors carry specialized instruments to verify that nuclear material is used exclusively for peaceful purposes. All of these instruments are on display for the first time. You'll meet an inspector, and they—or rather, a life-size image of them on a display—will personally explain the purpose of each instrument. You can touch all the instruments, allowing you to see firsthand how the IAEA safeguards system builds trust and ensures international peace and security.

3. Ocean acidification in close-up

The Ocean Acidification exhibit's interactive display provides real-time information on how rising temperatures and changing pH levels are impacting corals and marine life.

Oceans sustain ecosystems, regulate weather, and provide livelihoods for more than three billion people. However, human activity is altering the oceans' chemistry. Seawater absorbs approximately 23% of the carbon dioxide emitted by human activity, making seawater acidity levels 30% higher than pre-industrial levels. This interactive exhibition showcases in real time how acidification weakens corals, threatens marine life, and disrupts the food chain, and also explores how nuclear technology is helping scientists study and address these issues.

4. What is the difference between nuclear safety and nuclear security?

Visitors to the Plant Breeding stand will learn how tiny doses of radiation can accelerate natural processes, enabling the development of disease-resistant, faster-growing crop varieties that contribute to improved food security.

Nuclear safety and security are essential for protecting people and the environment, but they achieve this goal in different ways. Nuclear safety helps prevent accidents and reduces the risk of radiation exposure, while nuclear security aims to prevent theft, smuggling, and sabotage. Using interactive exhibits at the visitor center, you can test your knowledge and learn how the IAEA helps countries strengthen nuclear safety and security.

You can also visit Incident and Emergency Center— the IAEA's global focal point for emergency preparedness and response, operating 24 hours a day to provide advice and assistance to Member States in the unlikely event of a nuclear or radiological incident.

5. Breeding strong agricultural crops to improve food security

Visitors to the Plant Breeding stand will learn how tiny doses of radiation can accelerate natural processes, enabling the development of disease-resistant, faster-growing crop varieties that contribute to improved food security.

Can science help protect and improve staple crops? Nuclear techniques can accelerate the natural process of plant breeding, enabling the development of varieties that are resistant to drought, pests, and diseases. At the visitor center, you'll learn how these techniques are helping farmers adapt to climate change and how IAEA research is improving food security in many countries.

Plan your visit

The IAEA Visitor Center welcomes organized groups, offering free tours on Tuesday mornings and Thursday afternoons. Tours last up to two hours and can be tailored to specific interests.

The center is open to everyone and designed with the needs of students and teachers in mind: teachers can request additional STEM materials to connect the center experience with the classroom. Organizational matters are simple and can be resolved upon registration. Free parking is available on site. Transportation assistance is available if needed.

For more information, visit website IAEA Visitor Centre and follow our social media channels, including the visitor center's Instagram account, where news and interesting facts are regularly published.

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Did you know that every coffee bean has its own story? Using nuclear technology, scientists can trace its origins—from the rain that provided the plant with moisture to the soil that nourished its roots. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), together with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), helps countries use nuclear techniques to ensure high-quality coffee and the authenticity of its origins. Learn how the University of Costa Rica is creating a geographic database for Tarrazú coffee, enabling laboratories around the world to verify the origins of this coffee and maintain its reputation.

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Food security and food safety in the context of climate change

Climate change is expected to increase the presence of mycotoxins, particularly aflatoxins, and heavy metals in food, which could have catastrophic consequences for food safety and public health in countries already facing food insecurity.

As global food systems become more complex and climate risks increase, countries will need more such portable, accessible, and scalable tools, especially in regions where conventional laboratory testing is not feasible.

Along the line Joint FAO/IAEA Centre for Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture The IAEA conducts research and development to develop technologies based on nuclear and related techniques to identify food-related threats to food security, trade and public health.

To help countries respond to food safety emergencies, the initiative Atoms4food and, in collaboration with the FAO, the IAEA is developing cost-effective and portable instruments that enable rapid testing of large numbers of samples, including in the field.

Food safety experts in Seibersdorf are working to develop this technology to cover more categories of contaminants in other foods, taking into account the needs of Member States. Furthermore, the LBKP has adapted the same sensor system to detect fumonisins (harmful mycotoxins linked to cancer and birth defects) in corn and corn-based products, as well as toxic metals such as lead in fruit juices. This flexibility makes this method instrumental in improving food safety.

According to Vlahou, “The IAEA develops comprehensive and robust tools to assist food safety stakeholders in countries around the world in maintaining the necessary levels of safety and hygiene to prevent foodborne diseases.”

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The 69th session of the IAEA's annual General Conference is drawing to a close, and final discussions on possible resolutions are likely to continue until late in the evening.

The resolutions and decisions adopted at the conference will guide the IAEA's activities in the coming year. They will be published. Here as they appear.

This year, over 3,000 participants registered for the conference, including 2,755 representatives from 153 of the 180 IAEA Member States. Among the registered senior officials were 57 ministers and 37 deputy ministers. In addition, 348 representatives of international and non-governmental organizations participated in the conference. The number of NGO participants more than doubled from 2021, reflecting the IAEA's growing engagement with developments around the world.

In hisintroductory remarks At the opening of the General Conference on Monday, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi outlined the measures the Agency is taking within its unique mandate in the current circumstances, which he described as “extremely challenging times.”

“[The IAEA’s mandate] covers everything from reducing the risk of nuclear proliferation – and ultimately the risk of nuclear war – to using advances in nuclear science and technology to feed families, power cities, and treat children with cancer,” he stressed.

General Conference And Board of Governors are the two policy-making organs of the IAEA. The Council reviews the financial statements, program, and budget of the IAEA and makes recommendations thereon to the General Conference.

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The final stage of the Scientific Forum was a discussion on the importance of partnership mechanisms and mobilizing financial capital to ensure the sustainability of water resources. "Scientific methods alone are not enough; resources and partnerships are needed to ensure the application of nuclear technologies where they are most needed," said Director-General Grossi.

The importance of taking such steps was also emphasized by Najat Mokhtar, Deputy Director-General and Head of the Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications. She called for the use of new technologies to address existing gaps. "Let's not waste time," she urged, "but work together to leverage scientific advances for more effective water resource management."

Sustainable water resource management is impossible without a strong scientific foundation and stable political support, according to Tatiana Molchan, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe. She believes that the key to addressing the challenges arising in the context of the water-food-energy chain may lie in a combination of mechanisms updated in 2016. Water Conventions with IAEA technical tools.

In his speech, Winston Yu, World Bank Water Program Manager, noted that annual water investment by governments, international organizations, civil society, and the private sector worldwide reaches $165 billion, but trillions more are needed. He agreed with Maria Jimena Durán of the Development Bank for Latin America and the Caribbean and Lina Escobar-Rangel of the Inter-American Bank: meeting the enormous financial needs for water requires engaging the private sector. Currently, the private sector accounts for only two percent of total water financing.

Mr. Yu mentioned Niger's agreement with the IAEA as a good example of how multilateral development banks are combining the efforts of financial and political circles with the expertise of the IAEA to help countries manage water resources more effectively. "The IAEA has tremendous potential to collaborate with all development banks to achieve synergies between technology and financing," he said.

Water financing will be a central theme of the 2026 UN Water Conference. According to Mohamed CBC Diatta, the Senegalese Sherpa, participants will "discuss the potential of science, multilateralism, cooperation, and innovation" and build links across sectors to preserve this most valuable shared resource. Nuclear science can play a crucial role in fostering such links, and the IAEA will continue to work with countries to strengthen their capacity to use relevant tools to address critical challenges in this area.

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Today, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) opened its new Visitor Center, located in its laboratory complex in Seibersdorf, Austria. This first-of-its-kind facility offers visitors the opportunity to learn about the Agency's mission and how nuclear science and technology help solve global challenges.

At a ceremony held today in the presence of IAEA Member State ambassadors and representatives of the Austrian scientific community, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi and the Austrian Ambassador to the United Nations in Vienna, Gabriela Zellner, officially opened the centre.

"This center brings to life the Agency's mission of 'Atoms for Peace and Development,'" Director General Grossi emphasized. "This new milestone for the IAEA underscores how nuclear technology contributes to advances in energy, medicine, food security, and industry, as well as the Agency's role in reducing the risk of nuclear proliferation."

Located less than an hour from Vienna, the IAEA Visitor Centre provides an immersive experience by introducing the Agency's scientific and technical mandate and exploring the applications of nuclear energy in health, food and agriculture, water, ocean protection, cultural heritage, energy, and industry.

The center features 33 interactive exhibits with physical and digital displays highlighting the groundbreaking scientific work being conducted at the IAEA laboratories in Seibersdorf, Vienna, and Monaco. First established in 1962 in Seibersdorf, just five years after the IAEA's founding, the IAEA research laboratories are unique in the United Nations system and include five joint laboratories that support the work of the FAO-IAEA Joint Centre. They serve as hubs for applied research and development, technical and analytical services, capacity building, and the development of innovative nuclear technologies.

"This new, state-of-the-art visitor center will bring the IAEA's work to life," Ambassador Zellner emphasized during the opening ceremony today. "It showcases how nuclear science helps address global challenges—from health to food and agriculture to ocean and water protection. It also reflects the IAEA's commitment to sharing knowledge and engaging with the public on the peaceful uses of nuclear science. Austria is proud to host the IAEA and its laboratories."

Touring the centre for the first time, the Director General described the visit as a dynamic and accessible introduction to the IAEA's mission for a wide range of visitors, from researchers and scientists to schoolchildren and students with a keen interest in science and global cooperation.

“Today is not just a grand opening of a facility; it is the beginning of a new chapter in scientific education and outreach,” added Director General Grossi.

The center was funded by the United States, and during today's opening ceremony, Director General Grossi emphasized that it is a testament to international partnership and cooperation. Counselor of the US Permanent Mission Lucy Chang and Lower Austrian State Assembly Member Marlene Zeidler-Beck also spoke at the opening. More information, including registration, can be found on the website. IAEA Visitor Center.

Group tours are available not only at the center itself. Depending on availability, groups can also visit laboratories dedicated to plant breeding, food safety, pest control, dosimetry, safeguards, nuclear safety, and much more.

"Whether you're a student, a scientist, a journalist, or anyone interested in engaging with the IAEA, I invite you to explore and be inspired by the transformative power of science. We showcase how, thanks to the Agency's global influence, nuclear innovation improves the lives of people on every continent."

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Starts work today IAEA Scientific Forum on the Theme "Atoms for Water"Ahead of the event, the IAEA presents an interview with Ms. Retno Marsudi, the UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Water.

The United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Water, Retno Marsudi, shares her views on what needs to be done to ensure sustainable access to water for all in the future. An advocate for water-related challenges around the world, she supports efforts to mobilize action and funds, and to enhance international cooperation to advance the global water agenda. She served as Foreign Minister of Indonesia from 2014 to 2024.

What does water mean to you personally?

Water has always been a deeply personal matter for me.

As a woman, I understand that water-related issues particularly affect women and girls. In many parts of the world, water scarcity and limited access to safe water places an unequal burden on them, forcing them to travel long distances to fetch water for their families.

But women are also leaders of change. I believe – and the evidence consistently shows – that women’s leadership on water issues leads to more sustainable and equitable outcomes, not only in water but in all other development sectors.

I also believe that the responsibility for water management goes beyond global commitments or institutional mandates. It affects our very existence, our dignity, and the lives of future generations. Talking about water is not just talking about infrastructure or systems, it is about survival. It is about protecting the foundations of life and livelihoods.

That is why the responsibility to deliver on global water commitments is so important. This is not just a matter of politics. It is about improving lives – everywhere, for everyone, especially for those who are most often left behind.

What do you see as the key priorities for ensuring the sustainability of water resources on our planet?

Water is essential for life, and today our world’s water systems are under unprecedented pressure. An estimated 2.4 billion people live in countries experiencing water shortages. In 2022, at least 1.7 billion people worldwide relied on contaminated drinking water sources.

Climate change and extreme weather events are making matters worse, with 2024 set to be the warmest year on record. Urgent and multifaceted action is needed, including stepping up research, building capacity, empowering women and youth to drive innovation, and more.

At the heart of all these efforts lies one essential ingredient: international cooperation based on global solidarity.

It is key to translating global commitments into concrete action. Unfortunately, water funding remains inadequate and is declining worldwide. Meeting future water and water infrastructure needs will require an estimated US$6.7 trillion by 2030 and more than US$22 trillion by 2050.

To ensure a water-secure future, we must prioritize broad international cooperation, especially in the areas of financing, technology development and capacity building for those who need it most.

What are the most effective approaches to improve the efficiency, sustainability and stability of water resources management?

In my dialogues with countries and stakeholders on water, I continually emphasize that water is everyone’s responsibility. No one person, institution or country can solve global water problems alone. Governments, the private sector, academia, civil society organizations and other stakeholders must all play an active role in shaping and implementing water governance policies.

A multi-stakeholder approach enhances ownership by ensuring that everyone is involved in planning, implementing and evaluating water decisions. It draws on the diverse experiences and capabilities of each stakeholder.

Equally important is a multi-sectoral approach that integrates water into all aspects of development. Through integrated water resources management, water can become a unifying factor in addressing multiple global challenges, including poverty eradication, climate resilience, food and energy security, disaster risk reduction, and the empowerment of women and youth.

These approaches depend on a robust operational framework. This is where the triple bottom line (advocacy, alignment and catalysing action) becomes critical: advocacy to raise the profile of water as a shared priority; alignment to ensure that all water-related initiatives are interconnected; and catalysing rapid innovation and action.

Finally, we must not miss the opportunity to harness the transformative role of technology in making water management more efficient, sustainable and resilient. With technology, we can manage and use water efficiently. We can produce more – food, energy, and higher rates of economic growth – with less water.

Where do you think the IAEA can be of greatest assistance in addressing water resource issues using nuclear science and technology?

With a strong focus on research, development and capacity building, the IAEA has much to offer.

Isotope hydrology is a prime example of the transformative potential of nuclear sciences to solve complex water problems. Its ability to accurately trace the origin, age and quality of water makes it a revolutionary tool in water management.

It also provides us with a deep understanding of the world’s water systems, allowing us not only to respond to existing challenges but also to anticipate and prepare for future risks from water-related disasters. It enhances early warning capabilities and long-term planning for sustainable access to water resources.

I encourage the IAEA to continue to prioritize the application of nuclear science to address the world’s most pressing water challenges, particularly those that disproportionately affect developing countries, such as drought and water scarcity, the risk of flooding due to extreme weather events, and water pollution. I believe that through the application of nuclear science and technology, the IAEA will contribute to improving the sustainability of access to water resources worldwide.

What hopes and expectations do you have for the 2026 United Nations Water Conference?

I am guided by the hopes and expectations that are continually expressed by countries and water stakeholders around the world.

There are high expectations for the 2026 United Nations Water Conference. It will be a key milestone in global progress on water and an opportunity to accelerate progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 6 (clean water and sanitation).

The Conference is also expected to inform and shape the future of the global water agenda beyond 2030. This reflects the growing recognition that securing the future of our water resources requires not only immediate action, but also a clear vision for tomorrow, for both people and the planet.

The success of the 2026 United Nations Water Conference depends largely on the sustained and committed efforts of countries and water stakeholders around the world. Meaningful and practical results can only be achieved through inclusive and transparent preparations. I am committed to working with the IAEA to achieve this goal.

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