Oman commends IAEA initiative to harness atoms for food security

Vienna: The Sultanate of Oman has commended the initiative of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to harness the atom for food through the use of nuclear technologies in the field of agriculture and food production, notably to ensure the sustainability of food safety.
Oman has expressed its keenness to join this initiative.

This was unveiled in Oman’s speech delivered before the IAEA’s 68th session of the General Conference.

The speech was read out by Yousef Ahmed Al Jabri, Permanent Representative of the Sultanate of Oman to the IAEA.

Al Jabri said that nuclear science and technology play an important role in addressing current global challenges.

“Recognising this role, the Sultanate of Oman signed a technical cooperation framework document with the IAEA for the period (2024-2029). It is the third mandate of its kind to be joined by the Sultanate of Oman. This framework includes cooperation programmes in the fields of radiation safety, agriculture and food safety, human health, water resources, environment, and cultural heritage,” he added.

Al Jabri pointed out that the first technical cooperation cycle under this framework for the period (2024-2025) began to be implemented in new projects in the fields of combating farm pests, ensuring food safety, improving the quality of medical radiation practices and enhancing the infrastructure for radiation safety.

Al Jabri affirmed Oman’s cooperation with the IAEA and all member states to achieve the Agency’s goals and enhance its central role in serving peace and development.

Al Jabri expressed thanks and appreciation to the Japanese government for its cooperation with the IAEA in hosting scientific Omani team of five experts and specialists from the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) to learn about the experience of some Japanese institutions in developing and implementing programmes on monitoring and controlling viral and human diseases, as well the associated strategy for implementing these programmes.

Al Jabri also welcomed the accession of the Federal Republic of Somalia and the Cook Islands to the membership of the IAEA.