Category: News Story

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

Through the new partnership, Discovery will launch ‘Good To Know’, an educational videos series about the benefits of nuclear science and technology. The first short videos, on topics such as nuclear science-based solutions to drought, cancer and plastic pollution, will be released in January across EMEA, both on television and online. 

IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said: “We are excited to work with the Discovery Channel to help even more people learn about the amazing world of nuclear science. From the IAEA’s unique laboratories, our scientists are using radiation to recycle plastics and create plants that can better withstand climate change, they’re researching new targeted forms of cancer therapy, and much more. In the last couple of years alone, the IAEA sent seeds into space to see if we can develop even stronger variants; we sent scientists to Antarctica to collect accurate data about plastic pollution and we helped conservationists use radiotracers to combat rhino poaching!”  

He added: “There are so many fascinating stories to tell about the cutting-edge nuclear techniques through which the IAEA assists countries in the fight against hunger, disease, climate change and energy poverty, to name just a few, and we are very happy to be telling them together with the Discovery Channel.”  

IAEA Director of Communications Sophie added: “We are very proud of the films we make at the IAEA, where we have built a dedicated video team with award winning cinematographers and are delighted that the Discovery Channel will use our original footage to reach an even bigger audience. Accurate and engaging story-telling can do a lot to explain the benefits of nuclear science and technology in our daily lives.” 

Watch original IAEA films on the IAEA YouTube channel here. 

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

“When it comes to working on behalf of peace and security, playing it safe is dangerous,” Mr Grossi said, calling for an urgent return to diplomacy and dialogue and on the leaders of international organizations to step up as effective brokers of peace.  

“We must be proactive in building the trust and protections that lower the risk of close calls and of brinksmanship, especially during today’s tensions,” he said. “Not taking active steps means we rely on luck – or the assumption that the other side will show restraint – to save us from nuclear war. The longer you rely on luck, the more likely it is to run out.” 

He urged leaders to act, reminding them of key moments during the Cold War when bold leadership led to dialogue, a reduction of tensions and important norms and arms reduction treaties. “Difficult times call for enlightened leadership, at the national level, and the international level as well,” Mr Grossi said, stressing that engagement among the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council was critically important to deescalating tensions and to reducing “nuclear sabre rattling.” 

“Conflict and tensions compel nations to arm themselves. Diplomacy and compromise create conditions in which they can disarm,” he said.  

Mr Grossi also called on leaders of multilateral organizations to use their mandates, tools and good offices to help guide the world through today’s challenges to peace and security.  

He said that the IAEA was doing its part, mentioning the Agency’s continuous presence at nuclear power facilities in Ukraine. “We are informing the world of what’s going on and reducing the chance that a radiological incident enflames the conflict and causes even more devastation.” 

In addition, Mr Grossi has been continuously engaging with Iran in an effort to reduce tensions and to keep the country within the Non-Proliferation Treaty and international non-proliferation norms. 

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

In December 2023, the Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Agriculture detected the Mediterranean fruit fly near Punta Cana, triggering the activation of an emergency response protocol to contain the outbreak. Thanks to the Ministry’s surveillance network, the pest was detected early and declared transient, which confined the affected area to less than 50 km² — a significant improvement compared to the 2015 outbreak that affected over 2000 km².

In February 2024, a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) composed of IAEA, FAO, and OIRSA experts visited the area to provide guidance on tailored eradication strategies and offer technical recommendations. The National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) implemented a contingency plan that included:

• Weekly releases of 3 million sterile flies for 26 weeks
• Field surveillance and control measures, such as insecticide-bait sprays and bait stations
• Continuous technical support from international experts

The eradication of the pest was officially declared on 27 September 2024, less than 10 months after the initial detection, with no quarantine restrictions imposed by importing countries.

“The success of this project in the Dominican Republic shows how close international cooperation can protect farmers from insect pests that can have a devastating impact on harvests and a country’s agricultural production and trade,” said Rui Cardoso Pereira, Section Head of the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture in Vienna, Austria.

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

Although soil erosion is a natural process and it occurs on all continents, human activities have greatly accelerated it. In general, soil erosion is more common on steep, sloping land. It is often caused by natural factors, including strong wind or heavy rains; however, unsustainable human activity, such as deforestation or improper land management, can accelerate this process by two to three orders of magnitude.

Soil erosion makes land vulnerable to the loss of fertile topsoil and this, together with the losses of associated nutrients and chemicals, is a threat to agricultural production, food security and the environment, mainly water resources. Soil is the source of as much as 95 percent of all agricultural production, so its health and availability impact the quality and quantity of our food. Approximately a quarter of the world’s population directly depends on food produced on degraded land, and every year the rate of degradation is increasing, leading to the annual loss of millions of hectares of land worldwide.

Eroded soil also affects water quality and aquatic life, since soil can be transported by runoff to water courses, such as rivers and lakes, clogging water reservoirs and causing the nutrients washed from the fields to accumulate in water and lead to algae outbreaks. This jeopardizes water quality and harms the habitats of aquatic life. In addition, even in larger reservoirs, such as oceans and seas, sediments may accumulate in large enough quantities to increase turbidity and reduce visibility in nearby waters, further threatening the sustainability of aquatic ecosystems and often leading to die-offs among the flora.

Other consequences of soil erosion include degradation of ecosystem functions, amplified risks of landslides and floods, significant losses in biodiversity, damage to urban infrastructure and, in severe cases, displacement of human populations.

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

Zvirawa was introduced to the world of information security when she moved to a software company specializing in security solutions. Her role involved working with large companies where cyber security attacks could have significant financial implications, and she was able to hone her problem solving and communication skills. “That’s where I fell in love with cyber security,” she says.

A significant turning point in Zvirawa’s career was when she joined the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in New York as an infrastructure security analyst. This position allowed her to combine her expertise in computer networking with her passion for information security, and she found it exciting to work in such an international environment. “Working with over 60 countries at UNFPA opened my eyes to how IT policies and regulations vary around the world,” she says. “You have to be creative, especially when facing challenges like dealing with embargoed countries or restricted access to software in some jurisdictions.” During this time, Zvirawa also completed a Master of Science degree in information security and assurance, which was supported and partly funded by her employer.

In 2018, Zvirawa joined the IAEA as an IT security engineer. In this role, she focused on detecting and analysing cyber security threats and led several cyber security initiatives to strengthen the security of the Agency’s data and systems. “The global growth in access to technology is a double-edged sword,” she explains. “While it opens up incredible opportunities, it also increases risks, which makes security a top priority.”

Zvirawa’s next position at the IAEA was as an information security officer, where her focus shifted from the operational aspects of information security to governance, risk management and compliance. One of her notable achievements in this role was coordinating the organization’s efforts to obtain ISO certification in information security, ensuring it meets international industry standards.

In her current role, Zvirawa oversees how the IAEA controls access to its digital data and systems by managing user identities. “As an Agency, robust digital identity and access management are crucial for building trust, as poorly managed identities can lead to data breaches and privacy issues,” she explains. “We need to ensure the right people have access to the right resources for the right reasons.” Reflecting on her transition to this role, Zvirawa notes, “One of the advantages of working in IT is that it’s so dynamic. It’s always changing, and this keeps the work exciting and full of opportunities to keep growing.”

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA