The 47th meeting of the Regional Cooperative Agreement is expected to pave the way for even greater cooperation and innovation in the peaceful application of nuclear technology for the region’s benefit.
Fiji is at the forefront of regional collaboration on the issue this week by hosting the meeting in Nadi.
Chief guest at the opening ceremony, Agriculture and Waterways Ministry permanent secretary Dr Andrew Tukana said the RCA agreement was established in 1972 with the support of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
“It brings together 22 countries in Asia and the Pacific, including our beloved Fiji, in the peaceful use of nuclear science and technology to address real-world problems,” he said.
Dr Tukana said the Sub-Regional Approach to the Pacific Islands (SAPI) Programme has supported Pacific challenges with a tailored approach to meeting specific needs, focusing on resilience to building greener economies.
“This tailored approach drives the development and delivery of areas where nuclear science and technology have contributed to a broad spectrum of projects with the IAEA Technical Cooperation Programme in the Pacific,” Dr Tukana said.
He said Fiji’s collaboration with the RCA through the IAEA had strengthened agriculture and food security, combatted climate change and protected the environment and advanced human health and medical services.
Additionally, Dr Tukana said the partnership had helped build human capital, created a platform of regional solidarity and built new networks.
He said the benefits of the RCA to Fiji were tangible, lasting and deeply appreciated.
“But beyond the technical assistance, the RCA represents something even more powerful: a shared commitment to peaceful progress through science.”
