Category: News Story

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Director General in Lombardy to Advance Nuclear Science and Technology

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

Health was a major topic of the visit, and the Director General visited the National Cancer Institute of Milan, Italy’s first ever cancer research and treatment institute, which Mr Grossi called “a beacon of quality in the field”. The IAEA is exploring ways to increase its collaboration with the institute, including under its Rays of Hope initiative, to improve access to cancer care for those who need it most. 

Mr Grossi also toured the high-end National Center for Oncological Hadrontherapy (CNAO) in Pavia, alongside May Abdel-Wahab, Director of the Human Health Division of the IAEA. CNAO is one of only a handful of institutes in the world that is treating radio-resistant or inoperable tumours using hadrontherapy, an advanced nuclear technique that uses charged particles for radiotherapy, while reducing damage to surrounding tissues. 

In a press release about the visit, CNAO’s President Gianluca Vago said: “It is important to foster a positive culture of nuclear energy use. What CNAO has been doing for over twenty years is a demonstration of this. CNAO has long been engaged in promoting educational and training activities to make people understand that atomic particles are an important resource to be used for clinical purposes and is ready to start new collaborations within the international network promoted by IAEA.” 

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From Protests to Partnership: Interview with Gerben Dijksterhuis, Mayor of Borsele, Kingdom of the Netherlands

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

Gerben Dijksterhuis, Mayor of Borsele, addresses residents who developed a list of conditions for community acceptance of the construction of new nuclear power plants in the municipality. (Photo: Municipality of Borsele, Kingdom of the Netherlands)

The world’s first major gathering of representatives of communities hosting nuclear facilities will take place in Vienna, Austria, from 26 to 30 May 2025 at the IAEA’s International Conference on Stakeholder Engagement for Nuclear Power Programmes. Gerben Dijksterhuis, Mayor of Borsele, Kingdom of the Netherlands, which hosts the country’s only operating nuclear power plant, discusses key aspects of stakeholder engagement for nuclear power:

How has stakeholder engagement changed over time?

In the 1960s and 1970s, there were fierce protests and demonstrations against the arrival of the nuclear power plant, but in recent years we have seen almost no demonstrations. Over the years, the plant operator, EPZ, has learned to communicate openly and transparently. This has contributed to a good relationship with the surrounding community, an important element of EPZ’s ‘licence to operate’. The plant is now seen as a good neighbour.

Borsele organized a unique citizen participation process in 2023 on upcoming large energy projects, including two nuclear power reactors. What prompted you as Mayor, and the local government, to include citizens in the process?

People often have strong opinions either for or against nuclear energy, but the decision about whether new nuclear power plants will be built is ultimately made by the national government. So we’ve focused on the interests of the local community and asked the question: “If two additional nuclear power reactors are built, what will that mean for our municipality and residents? Under what conditions would we accept such a development?” By having this conversation, we’re engaging in a discussion about our shared future and deciding what is needed to keep living, working and enjoying life in our region.

My municipality has over 23 000 residents, so it’s not possible to ask everyone personally about their views on these developments. By randomly selecting 100 residents, we thought we would get a fair range of opinions reflecting the views of all residents. This way, we can look at what’s coming our way as a community with an open mind, without being too influenced by loud supporters or critics. We also wanted to give a voice to young people, who will live with the impact of new nuclear power plants the longest, and to the ‘silent majority’ — residents who are generally less likely to speak out in public debates.

Over the course of 5 meetings, these 100 residents came up with 39 conditions under which major developments could take place, ensuring that the environmental impact is properly considered.

We believe that as a local community we should have a voice in projects happening in our area.

What are some of the common concerns local residents have about nuclear energy projects? To what extent are they different from concerns about other large projects?

We are somewhat used to big projects because we live next to a large industrial area and an international seaport. However, there are concerns about the impact of the construction: we see in other countries how long it takes, how large the construction site is, and how many people work there. Residents mainly think about noise, dust and light pollution and an increase in construction traffic. There are also concerns about this development in relation to the landscape we are so proud of here.

Specifically for the nuclear component, people are concerned about the safety of new nuclear power plants and the continuing perception of a lack of a final solution for nuclear waste.

What is the socioeconomic impact of nuclear energy projects on host communities and neighbouring areas, based on the experience of Borsele?

About 400 people work at the existing nuclear power plant, and many more are employed indirectly. If the construction of two new nuclear power reactors goes ahead, thousands of additional workers will be needed for 5 to 15 years. This will not only create jobs in the region but also provide opportunities for local businesses, educational institutions and housing development. It is an opportunity to invest in the future of the region, with innovation and progress at the forefront. It’s therefore crucial that, as a government and society, we make timely plans to properly manage these developments. The construction of nuclear power plants affects an entire region, and when new nuclear power reactors are built, cooperation with neighbouring municipalities is essential to prepare for this. This includes planning for housing, infrastructure and education.

In addition to being Mayor of Borsele, you are President of the Group of European Municipalities with Nuclear Facilities (GMF Europe). Why is it important for nuclear host communities to organize in such associations?

Nuclear host communities often face or have faced the same challenges. As a network of host communities in different parts of Europe, GMF allows us to learn from each other and find solutions together. We can help each other by sharing information and lessons learned about how to deal with nuclear initiatives. Together, we can also be a stronger voice that is heard in international politics. I am proud that GMF has been invited several times — including by the IAEA — to contribute to new policy and present our vision to participating countries. Together with mayors in Canada and the United States of America, we have also established the Global Partnership of Municipalities with Nuclear Facilities.

It is equally important to advocate for the position of local communities. They must have a voice in developments that take place in their community.

What is the advice you would give to communities that are newcomers to nuclear?

Take an active role, make sure you are well informed, ask the right questions and ensure that the concerns of your community are heard. This not only helps in understanding the impact of nuclear projects, but also ensures that you can actively contribute to decision making and to the process in a way that is in the interest of your community.

Additionally, it is important to join networks of municipalities. This way, you can jointly influence policy, both nationally and internationally. By working with organizations such as the IAEA, we can ensure that policies take into account the needs of host communities.

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IAEA Profile: A Passion For Measurement

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

Zakithi Msimang working at the IAEA’s Dosimetry Laboratory in Seibersdorf (Photo: IAEA)

The IAEA profiles employees to provide insight into the variety of career paths that support the Agency’s mission of Atoms for Peace and Development and to inspire and encourage readers, particularly women, to pursue careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) or STEM-adjacent fields. Read more profiles of women at the IAEA.  

“Don’t let the pressures of life distract from following your heart, wherever it takes you. Understand your purpose and strive to fulfil it,” Zakithi Msimang encourages the young scientists she supports in the IAEA’s Division of Human Health.

From South Africa to Austria, she has always let her interests and curiosity lead the way. Today, she is a medical physicist and metrologist, and a mentor in the IAEA’s Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship Programme for women in STEM.

“Every country doesn’t need its own lab for metrology, but they all have to resolve the challenge of measurement and accuracy in some way. Whether you are a patient receiving radiation as a cancer treatment or a baker buying flour, everyone needs assurance that the amount they receive is correct and consistent,” she explains.

As the IAEA’s only Secondary Standards Dosimetry Laboratory (SSDL) Officer, Msimang has a unique role in ensuring consistency. She supports the 89 laboratories in 76 different countries that comprise the IAEA/World Health Organization Network of SSDLs. She oversees the data that laboratories around the world use daily to validate the calibration procedures they undertake at their own institutions. She also assists countries in establishing their own dosimetry calibration facilities, drafts IAEA guidance documents and organizes trainings on IAEA codes of practice.

This commitment to ‘measurement for all’ — this year’s theme for World Metrology Day — has also been the beacon of Msimang’s career path.

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IAEA Database Reveals Scale of Issue with Dietary Self-Reporting

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

A new equation is helping scientists check the reliability of people’s reports about what they eat, supporting better nutrition research.

A new equation, developed using data from an IAEA nutrition database, is helping researchers assess the accuracy of self-reported dietary information in studies and surveys.

This equation, developed using machine learning, has revealed that close to a third of records in two widely used nutritional datasets were likely to be misreported, according to a recent scientific article published in Nature Food.

This revelation underlines the need for better methods to measure what people really eat.

Nutritional epidemiology, a field that examines the link between diet and human diseases, commonly relies on tools such as questionnaires and food diaries to assess dietary intake. However, these methods are prone to misreporting, as participants may inaccurately estimate portion sizes, misremember what they ate, intentionally misstate their consumption, or even alter their eating habits during the reporting period.

“Many nutritional epidemiology studies that try to link dietary exposure to disease outcomes are based on unreliable data, which can explain why many findings contradict each other,” said John Speakman, one of the paper’s authors and a professor at the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology in China and the University of Aberdeen in the United Kingdom.

While the issue of misreporting and its impact on metabolic research has been recognized since the 1980s, studies continue to use these tools due to their perceived utility and the lack of practical and accessible alternatives for collecting dietary data.

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Luisa B Hernandez: From Radiation Protection to Nuclear Security

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

Over the years, Luisa climbed the ranks in regulatory control. By 2002, she was appointed Director of the National Centre for Nuclear Safety, Cuba’s nuclear regulatory body. A year later, when Cuba signed the IAEA Nuclear Safeguards Agreement and Additional Protocol, she played a key role, including coordination with the IAEA about inspections and information exchange . Her leadership extended beyond Cuba, contributing to regional projects in Latin America aimed at developing regulatory frameworks for medical and industrial nuclear technology applications. 

While Luisa had dedicated most of her career to nuclear and radiation safety, her transition into nuclear security came unexpectedly. In 2007, she was chosen to complete a master’s degree in national security and defense — an assignment she initially resisted. However, the programme broadened her understanding of security issues and, in hindsight, proved essential to her later career. 

In 2014, she was appointed President of Cuba’s Nuclear Energy and Advanced Technologies Agency, overseeing all the country’s nuclear applications, from medicine to industrial use. Yet, life had another challenge in store. When her husband, a nuclear physicist, was offered a position at the IAEA, they decided to relocate to Vienna. 

“I arrived in Vienna in 2016 without a job, which was hard for someone as active as me, but I wanted to keep our family together.” 

However, this move ultimately led her in 2019 to a full-time position with the IAEA, working on the Regulatory Infrastructure Development Project with a focus on nuclear security. 

“For me, regulation is in my blood,” she says. “Safety and security in nuclear applications are crucial, and I’ve dedicated my life to ensuring they are upheld.” 

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Director General in Ecuador to Support Nuclear Power Plans, the Galapagos and More

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

Alongside energy, the Director General and Foreign Minister Sommerfeld also discussed how IAEA initiatives to promote the benefits of nuclear science are supporting Ecuador’s progress in many key development areas.  

High on the agenda was cancer care, where IAEA flagship initiative Rays of Hope is increasing  access to radiotherapy in the country. During his trip, Mr Grossi visited Carlos Andrade Marin Hospital where he was pleased to see “how IAEA efforts and local investment in cancer care — including access to radiotherapy — are making a life-changing difference.” 

Nuclear science is also a powerful tool to boost food security and strengthen food export potential, and the IAEA’s Atoms4Food is helping Ecuador and other countries battle invasive insect pests like Mediterranean Fruit Fly, make banana crops more resilient to disease and map water resources to ensure a sustainable supply. 

NUTEC Plastics, the IAEA initiative to use nuclear science to monitor and reduce marine plastic pollution, is also of relevance to the coastal country. During his trip, the Director General exchanged on the importance of tackling plastic pollution in valuable ecosystems, such as Antarctica where he recently launched microplastics research, and the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador where the IAEA has helped establish one of the world’s leading laboratories in microplastics. He also met with a range of local partners already working with the IAEA on the archipelago to preserve biodiversity and work for a healthier ocean. 

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IAEA Launches SMR School as Africa Looks to Nuclear Energy

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

A fraction the size of large reactors, SMRs are under development around the world, with China and Russia having already deployed their first units. With lower upfront costs and flexibility to work in tandem with renewables such as solar and wind, SMRs are expected to make nuclear power a more accessible option amid a global consensus on expanding nuclear power that emerged in 2023 at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai.  

The inaugural SMR School was the first event for high level officials covering key aspects of SMRs, including technology development and demonstration, legal frameworks, stakeholder engagement, and safety, security and safeguards.  

“The technical presentations, discussions, and shared experiences deepened our understanding of SMR deployment and regulatory considerations,” said Rasheed Adeola Ogunola of the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission. “We also appreciated learning about the publications and services available to support Member States in building safe and effective nuclear programmes. This knowledge will directly inform our next steps as we progress through the nuclear power programme development milestones.” 

“As countries seek clean and reliable solutions to their energy and development challenges, they are increasingly looking to nuclear energy as an option, particularly SMRs,” said Dohee Hahn, IAEA Platform Coordinator. “The new IAEA SMR School aims to fill a critical gap for countries in better understanding the array of issues involved in the development and deployment of this promising new technology.” 

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International Day of Plant Health: Suppressing Fruit Flies in Africa

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

Sharing Sterile Insect Technique Experiences

To leverage this new infrastructure, a workshop on using the SIT for integrated pest management was held in Agadir, Morocco at the end of April under an IAEA technical cooperation project aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity to improve food security in Africa.

Experts from 16 African countries gathered to discuss and share experiences on implementing surveillance and suppression of fruit flies by integrating the SIT with other control methods. The workshop included lectures, visits to the Mediterranean fruit fly mass-rearing facility, the irradiation and the fly emergence and release facilities, and a visit to field operations where surveillance and SIT field activities are being implemented.

Minimizing Pesticides

Using SIT alongside other control methods provides the citrus industry with sustainable  methods that minimize pesticide residues in fruit and preserve the agricultural landscape. The SIT both reduces pest infestations and enables farmers to improve the quality of citrus fruits planned for export to existing and new international markets.

Tephritid fruit flies are considered among the world’s most notorious pests of horticultural crops, causing extensive direct and indirect damage. Due to the intensification of international fruit trade, the African continent is also highly vulnerable to alien invasive fruit fly species such as Bactrocera dorsalis which bring significant damage to mangoes — up to 90 per cent of the harvest can be lost depending on the location, cultivar and season.

“Most African Member States now face an enormous challenge due to the introduction of Bactrocera dorsalis in Africa in 2003, which closed many international markets and increased damage to fruit,” said Rui Cardoso Pereira, entomologist at the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture.

Strengthening Agricultural Systems in Africa

Citrus production areas where  sterile Mediterranean fruit flies are released (Photo: R. Cardoso Pereira/FAO/IAEA)

One critical aspect of the IAEA support with SIT is managing pests that affect economically important crops. The countries participating in the workshop reported on pest surveillance and control activities, including SIT application, in their respective countries and explored how these techniques are harmonized using guidelines produced by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and IAEA. This includes guidelines on adult and larval surveillance, quality control of mass-produced insects as well as the International Standards on Phytosanitary Measures.

The IAEA is helping countries boost food security with its Atoms4Food initiative. The IAEA has joined forces with the FAO to help provide countries with ground-breaking solutions, such as SIT, to tackle growing hunger around the world.

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Study Reveals Potential of Seaweed Farms as Carbon Storage Solution

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

The role of Blue Carbon in climate change mitigation and adaptation is an emerging research field. As more data becomes available, stakeholders in policy and the private sector can use it to develop sustainable policies and pioneering climate technologies.

“Seaweed farming offers a scalable, nature-based solution for carbon removal while delivering co-benefits such as biodiversity enhancement, economic opportunities and food security,” said Carlos Duarte, the study’s lead author and Oceans 2050’s Chief Scientist.

The number of seaweed farms around the world is increasing. Seaweed is gaining popularity as food, and is also used in medicines, cosmetics and fertilizers. Around 35 countries worldwide carry out commercial harvesting of seaweed, in water ranging from cold, through temperate to tropical.

As the world grapples with the impacts of excess greenhouse gas emissions, scientists are urgently seeking potential solutions. Moving forward, additional studies are needed to determine carbon accumulation rates worldwide. In support of efforts to contribute to a greater understanding of a global Blue Carbon inventory, the IAEA works to transfer knowledge and build capacity in countries around the world.

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Nuclear Desalination: A Sustainable Solution for Water Security in the Arab Region

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

Jordan: Advancing SMR-Powered Desalination

Jordan, where 75 per cent of the land is classified as arid desert, is taking significant steps toward nuclear desalination. The government is exploring Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), compact reactors that could power desalination plants. In 2023, an IAEA team evaluated Jordan’s studies on using SMRs to provide drinking water from the Red Sea to Amman, where water demand is rising.

“Desalination is considered the primary source of fresh water in Jordan to fulfil the expected demand and reduce the supply-demand deficit,” says Khalid Khasawneh, Commissioner for Nuclear Power Reactors at the Jordan Atomic Energy Commission (JAEC). “It offers competitive prices for fresh water to end consumers, in comparison with imported energy sources.”

Saudi Arabia: The Desalination Leader Exploring Nuclear

Saudi Arabia, already the world’s largest desalinated water producer, began exploring the use of nuclear energy for desalination in the late 1970s. As part of its strategy to move from an oil-based economy toward a diversified power production, the country is now considering nuclear plants to achieve its net zero ambitions and meet its long-term water needs.

According to the King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy (KACARE), “the Kingdom is planning a sustainable energy mix that includes atomic energy to meet the energy needs of the Kingdom to produce electricity, desalinated water and thermal energy,” which aims to reduce reliance on hydrocarbons and support economic growth.

Egypt: Nuclear Power and Water Strategy

Egypt is also integrating nuclear technology into its water strategy. With the country’s first nuclear power plant, El-Dabaa, under construction, discussions are underway about pairing nuclear energy with desalination in coastal regions. According to the Egyptian State Information Service: “Nuclear energy contributes to enhancing energy security and achieving environmental balance and water security.” As “nuclear facilities can supply the energy required for desalination plants to produce potable water.”

Kuwait: Exploring Nuclear Desalination for Sustainable Water Solutions

Kuwait, which depends heavily on seawater desalination to meet its freshwater needs, is increasingly turning to nuclear technologies to find more sustainable solutions for water and the environment. “Kuwait is facing the effect of climate change, ocean acidification, pollution from the oil and shipping industry, power and desalination activities,” said Nader Al-Awadi, the Executive Commissioner for International Cooperation at the Kuwait Institute of Scientific Research (KISR). In line with its efforts to address these environmental challenges, Kuwait has also established a large-scale facility to carry out research on ocean acidification, aiming to further understand the impacts of changing ocean conditions on marine ecosystems, which are directly tied to the effectiveness of desalination technologies.