Australia supporting the IAEA's transformative work in our region

Australia will provide a further $3.5 million to support the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) efforts to apply nuclear science and technology for tangible outcomes in our region.

The funding includes $2 million for the IAEA’s Rays of Hope initiative, which is improving access to affordable, equitable and sustainable radiotherapy services and building the cancer care workforce in the Asia-Pacific and in Africa. 

Our support for the IAEA’s Global Water Analysis Laboratory (GloWAL) Network will help to make water resource management in the Pacific and Southeast Asia more sustainable.

Australia will contribute to the Regional Cooperative Agreement for Research, Development and Training Related to Nuclear Science and Technology for Asia and the Pacific, which is advancing regional capacity-building in nuclear science and technology.

Australia is also increasing opportunities for women in our region in the nuclear field by funding scholarships under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship Programme.

Since ratifying the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty fifty years ago, Australia has been an example to the world on non-proliferation and disarmament – including through being the first country to implement enhanced NPT safeguards under the Additional Protocol.

As a founding member of the IAEA, Australia remains a steadfast supporter of its central role in upholding the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and as the primary forum for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals through the peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology.

This funding builds on Australia’s regular annual contributions to the IAEA budget. Australia pays its assessed contributions on time and in full, and understands the importance of the IAEA having predictable and sustainable funding for its vital work.