Azerbaijan, IAEA sign landmark agreement to boost nuclear safety PHOTO

Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi have signed the Country Programme Framework (CPF) for technical cooperation with IAEA for 2024-2029.

The agreement was signed during a meeting between the heads of the Foreign Ministry and the IAEA, held on the sidelines of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Caliber.Az reports, citing the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry’s press service.

During the meeting, Bayramov emphasised that Azerbaijan firmly supports nuclear safety and international cooperation aimed at its enhancement.

He highlighted the indispensable role of the IAEA’s inspection system in preventing the spread of nuclear weapons and ensuring the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

The document outlines mutually agreed development priorities and interests, which will be supported through technical cooperation activities.

Notably, the International Atomic Energy Agency serves as the primary global intergovernmental platform for scientific and technical collaboration in the nuclear sector. Established in 1957 as an independent international organisation within the UN framework, the IAEA aims to enhance the contribution of nuclear technology to society while ensuring its peaceful application. 

The IAEA, headquartered at the Vienna International Centre in Austria, collaborates with its 164 member states and various global partners to promote the safe, secure, and peaceful utilisation of nuclear energy. 

The IAEA Secretariat comprises approximately 2,500 multi-disciplinary professionals and support staff from over 100 countries.