Pakistan elected to top atomic energy agency’s board of governors

International flags flutter outside of the UN headquarters during the opening of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors meeting at the IAEA headquarters in Vienna, Austria on Sept. 10, 2018. (AFP)

• Pakistan is one of 11 members elected to the board of governors
• Chairman of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission Muhammad Naeem led his country’s delegation to Vienna, Austria

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan was again elected to the board of governors of the 62nd session of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for two years on Thursday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced.
The IAEA is an international organization that seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy and inhibit its use for any military purpose, including nuclear weapons. With its headquarters in Vienna, the IAEA reports to both the UN General Assembly and the Security Council.
The agency’s programs encourage intergovernmental cooperation in the development of peaceful applications of nuclear energy, science and technology, provide international safeguards against the misuse of nuclear technology and nuclear materials, and promote nuclear safety (including radiation protection) and nuclear security standards and their implementation.
Scientists and engineers from Pakistan have contributed to the agency’s work in various fields, including in nuclear safety and security.
Earlier this year, IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano visited Pakistan where he met with then prime minister, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi. Pakistan is currently building two new reactors near Karachi, which will have a combined capacity of more than 2000 MW of electricity. The two reactors are expected to be completed by 2021 and 2022.
According to the press release, Pakistan has been elected 19 times to the board of governors, “which is a recognition of (its) long-standing commitment to the aims and objectives of the IAEA in promoting peaceful uses of nuclear energy as well as its positive contribution to the formulation of IAEA’s policies and programs.”
Chairman of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission Muhammad Naeem led the Pakistani delegation to Vienna, Austria, where the IAEA election was held.
In the past, Pakistan has also hosted IAEA-sponsored events for national as well as regional capacity-building for peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
Pakistan is a founding member of the IAEA and enjoys a mutually beneficial collaboration with the agency on peaceful uses of nuclear energy.