Ethiopia to Chair AFRA for One Year

Addis Ababa: Ethiopia has taken over the chairmanship of the African Regional Cooperative Agreement for Research, Development and Training related to Nuclear Science and Technology (AFRA) for a one-year term.AFRA, established in 1990, is an intergovernmental agreement that aims to promote the peaceful use of nuclear science and technology in Africa.Through AFRA, African countries collaborate on research, development, and training initiatives related to nuclear energy, agriculture, health, and industry.Ethiopia, having successfully hosted the 35th AFRA-Technical Working Group Meeting in Addis Ababa in June 2024, was elected for a one-year term, beginning in September 2024.This appointment was announced during the 68th International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Annual Conference, held in Vienna, Austria, from September 16 to 19, 2024.Ethiopian Minister of Innovation and Technology, Bele Mola was selected by AFRA member states to lead the organization on behalf of Ethiopia.The handover ceremony took p lace in the presence of the IAEA Director General, Rafael Mariano Grossi, who confirmed the agency's strong support for AFRA.Minister Bele expressed Ethiopia's commitment to leveraging nuclear science and technology for peaceful purposes like healthcare, agriculture, mining, environmental protection, energy, industry, and other sectors.He emphasized the potential of this technology to contribute significantly to Africa's development.The Ethiopian delegation actively participated in the IAEA Annual Conference and related side events.The Minister highlighted Ethiopia's past collaboration with the IAEA in technical cooperation and sought to expand these efforts in the future.Belete also emphasized the importance of peaceful nuclear technology for Ethiopia's development in areas like health, taxation, manufacturing, and energy.The IAEA's recent announcement of the "Rays of Hope" initiative, focusing on healthcare, aligns with Ethiopia's goals.The agency plans to strengthen its support for member sta tes by establishing cancer treatment centers in health institutions.Additionally, the newly launched "Atoms4Food" initiative aims to address food security challenges by promoting the use of nuclear science and technology in agriculture.Ethiopia, with its significant agricultural efforts, is well-positioned to benefit from these initiatives.The Minister also held a bilateral meeting with IAEA Director General Grossi to discuss areas of cooperation and explore opportunities for further collaboration.Source: Ethiopian News Agency