Tunisia's Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Monther Belaid, led the country's delegation to the 70th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) held in Vienna from September 14 to 18, 2026. The conference brought together high-ranking officials and representatives from IAEA member states to discuss various nuclear-related issues. As the head of Tunisia's National Atomic Energy Commission, Minister Belaid represented the country at the event.
In his speech at the conference, Minister Belaid reaffirmed Tunisia's commitment to the peaceful, safe, and responsible use of nuclear energy and technology. He emphasized the country's support for strengthening the non-proliferation regime and nuclear security, as well as the importance of international cooperation in utilizing nuclear applications in fields such as health, food, water, environment, energy, and sustainable development.
Minister Belaid also highlighted Tunisia's role in regional cooperation in the field of nuclear technology. The minister's participation in the conference underscored Tunisia's engagement with the international community on nuclear issues and its commitment to harnessing nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
On the sidelines of the conference, Minister Belaid and IAEA Deputy Director-General and Head of Technical Cooperation, Hua Liu, signed a framework program for cooperation between Tunisia and the IAEA for the period 2026-2030. This program aims to guide technical and scientific cooperation between Tunisia and the IAEA in the coming years, supporting the country's development priorities.
The framework program identifies seven priority areas for cooperation, including nuclear safety and security, health and nutrition, food and agriculture, water and environment, industrial applications and radiation technology, energy planning and nuclear energy, and nuclear knowledge development and management. These areas align with Tunisia's development goals and will benefit from IAEA's expertise and technology.
The agreement reflects the strong partnership between Tunisia and the IAEA, with a focus on harnessing nuclear technology for socio-economic development. The program is expected to enhance Tunisia's capabilities in various fields, contributing to the country's sustainable development.
The IAEA's technical cooperation with Tunisia aims to support the country's efforts to achieve its development objectives, while ensuring the safe and peaceful use of nuclear technology. The new framework program will serve as a foundation for future collaboration between Tunisia and the IAEA.
Key points
- Tunisia's Higher Education Minister Monther Belaid participates in the 70th IAEA General Conference in Vienna.
- Tunisia and the IAEA sign a framework program for cooperation for the period 2026-2030.
- The program identifies seven priority areas for cooperation, including nuclear safety and security, health and nutrition, and energy planning.
