The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Country Program Framework (CPF) 2022-2027 was signed between the IAEA and the Fijian Government at the Ministry of Agriculture's conference room on Friday 08th July 2022.

The CPF was signed by the Director General of the IAEA Mr. Rafael Mariano Grossi and the Permanent Secretary for Agriculture Mr Vinesh Kumar, the signatory on behalf of the Fijian Government.

The main objective of this CPF is to support Fiji in achieving national priorities where nuclear science and technology have a comparative advantage over other technologies and can make a cost-effective and meaningful contribution.

Mr Grossi said the national development priorities that will be capitalized through this framework include Radiation Safety and Nuclear Security, Food and Agriculture, Health and Nutrition and Water and Environment.

“It’s a confirmation on both sides on how well we are going to be working,” said Mr. Grossi.

He added the program had been endorsed by the Technical Cooperation between the Republic of Fiji and the IAEA.

On 2nd November 2012, the Republic of Fiji acceded to the Statute of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and became the 157th Member State. Since then, the cooperation between Fiji and the IAEA has continued to play an important role in the development of nuclear science and technology in Fiji.

The CPF document is aligned to the 2018 – 2022 United Nations Pacific Strategy which IAEA is a party to, the UN Sustainable Development Goals 5 and 20-year National Development Plans, the Fijian Ministry of Agriculture’s 5-year Strategic Development Plan (2019 – 2023) and the Ministry of Health and Medical Services Strategic Development Plan 2020 – 2025.

In his response, Mr Kumar said that this was indeed a milestone for Fiji as it constitutes the structure for the provision of Technical Cooperation between the Republic of Fiji and the IAEA for the next 5 years from 2022 – 2027.

“The Country Program Framework was formulated after in-depth consultation took place between IAEA, competent authorities and all relevant stakeholders in Fiji, on the role of nuclear science and technology in supporting socio-economic development objectives,” said Mr Kumar.

Mr Kumar said the agreement would ensure that relevant designations benefited through applicable capacity-building programs, networking, and knowledge sharing, following which Fiji would further develop partnerships at the regional and sub-regional levels.

“Government is committed to strengthening regulatory and radiation safety and providing nuclear securities infrastructures that ensure safe and secure utilization of nuclear science and technologies and today’s signing demonstrates shared interest and responsibilities towards our people, the environment and their wellbeing to ensure that no one is left behind,” said Mr Kumar.

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