Speaking at the Ministerial-Level Conference onNuclear Science and Technology, organised by the International Atomic EnergyAgency (IAEA) in Vienna, Austria on November 28, Indonesian CoordinatingMinister for Human Development and Culture Puan Maharani highlighted theimportance of international cooperation in the use of nuclear science andtechnology, and the tangible benefits it can bring to national development.
She explained that Indonesia was among thosedeveloping countries to have notably benefited from the IAEA programmes in theuse of nuclear science and technology, especially for superior plant seedproduction, livestock quality improvement, national cancer control programmes,and air pollution monitoring.
In addition, nuclear technology is alsoused in the handling of the earthquakes and the tsunami that recently hitLombok, West Nusa Tenggara, and Palu in Central Sulawesi, she added.
Apart from being a beneficiary, Indonesia also contributes to the use ofnuclear technology by other developing countries. The abilities of Indonesianexperts in the nuclear field are recognised by the IAEA, so they are oftenapproached to offer training to experts from other countries.
The cooperation framework used by Indonesia toassist other countries is through the Peaceful Uses Initiatives (PUI), RegionalCapacity Building Initiative (RCBI), and South-South Cooperation (SSC).
The Minister stressed the rights of the IAEA member countries to use nucleartechnology for peaceful purposes and access to assistance provided by the IAEAmust be guaranteed and must not be limited by any prerequisites.
On the sidelines of the conference,she held a bilateral meeting with IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano, duringwhich the two sides agreed to enhance their cooperation in utilising nuclear technology for peaceful anddevelopment purposes.
Meanwhile, Yukiya Amano recognised Indonesia’srole so far in the field, expressing the hope that the country would play a greater role in thefield of nuclear technology. –VNA