Islamabad: Pakistan and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have signed a new six-year Country Programme Framework (CPF) to deepen cooperation in peaceful nuclear applications. The agreement covers critical areas such as food security, energy, climate, and healthcare.
The signing took place in Vienna during the IAEA General Conference. Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) Chairman Dr. Raja Ali Raza Anwar and IAEA Deputy Director General Hua Liu formalised the fifth Country Programme Framework, which will run from 2026 to 2031.
The framework sets five priority fields. These include food and agriculture, health and nutrition, climate change and water management, nuclear power, and nuclear safety. It is closely aligned with Pakistan’s national development vision and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The plan also coincides with three IAEA technical cooperation cycles.
Agriculture holds a central place in the Country Programme Framework. With the sector contributing almost one-fourth of Pakistan’s GDP, nuclear technology will be applied to increase crop yields, control pests, and improve livestock health.
Healthcare is another vital focus. The framework stresses the expansion of nuclear medicine and radiation oncology services across the country’s 20 Atomic Energy Cancer Hospitals. These facilities already treat over one million patients every year, and the CPF aims to strengthen them further.
In the face of climate risks, the agreement introduces nuclear tools such as isotope hydrology to improve water management and help Pakistan adapt to shifting weather conditions.
Energy security remains a major concern, with nuclear already supplying more than 18 percent of Pakistan’s annual power generation. Under the Country Programme Framework, special attention will be given to safe plant operations, radioactive waste management, and long-term planning for nuclear facilities.
Speaking on the occasion, PAEC Chairman Dr. Anwar said the signing of the Country Programme Framework demonstrates Pakistan’s strong commitment to peaceful nuclear science. He emphasised that with IAEA support, Pakistan will use these technologies to ensure food security, improve health systems, enhance energy security, and protect the environment.
IAEA Deputy Director General Hua Liu described the agreement as a “shared vision for sustainable development through peaceful nuclear cooperation.”