Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud has reaffirmed Bangladesh’s dedication to nuclear non-proliferation and the peaceful application of nuclear science, particularly in energy, food safety, medicine, and health sectors.
This affirmation came during his meeting with Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), held in Vienna on Monday.
Foreign Minister Hasan reiterated Bangladesh’s commitment to nuclear disarmament and emphasized the safety and security of nuclear materials.
He recalled Bangladesh's early membership in the IAEA in 1972, highlighting it as one of the nation's earliest involvements in any international organization.
Expressing gratitude to the IAEA for its support and cooperation in the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant Project, the foreign minister assured the director general of Bangladesh's commitment to maintaining the highest standards of transparency, safety, and security in its nuclear power plants.
Highlighting Bangladesh's national energy vision, he underscored the country's consideration of nuclear energy as a green and clean energy source in its future energy mix.
Hasan acknowledged Bangladesh's achievements in becoming self-sufficient in staple food production and its successes in the pharmaceuticals and health services sectors. He thanked the IAEA for its technical support in nuclear agriculture, nuclear medicine, and radiotherapy fields.
The foreign minister praised the director general's initiatives such as Atoms4Food and Atoms4NetZero, assuring continued support from Bangladesh for these endeavors.
The IAEA Director General reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to supporting Bangladesh on human-centric development issues through nuclear science and applications. He expressed interest in collaborating with Bangladesh under the "Atom for Food" initiative.
Commending Bangladesh for its nuclear power plant establishment, which has enhanced its engagement with the IAEA, the director general highlighted the agency’s continued support for training and capacity building on nuclear safety and safeguard issues.
Hasan invited the director general to visit Bangladesh during the commissioning of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant Project.
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