Pakistan elected to IAEA Board of Governors for 21st Time

Pakistan has been elected as a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) Board of Governors (BoG) for the 21st time, the Foreign Office announced on Friday.

The country was elected by consensus during the 68th Session of the IAEA’s General Conference in Vienna, representing the Middle East and South Asia region for a two-year term starting this month.

This election highlights Pakistan’s long-standing commitment to promoting the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and its positive contributions to the IAEA’s policies and programs, according to the Foreign Office statement.

Pakistan’s Role in IAEA and Nuclear Safety

Pakistan, a founding member of the IAEA, has maintained a collaborative relationship with the agency, particularly in the peaceful applications of nuclear technology. Earlier this month, the country was also elected as President for the Tenth Review Meeting of the Convention on Nuclear Safety (CNS).

Pakistan hosts the IAEA’s Anchor Centre for Cancer Care under its Rays of Hope initiative, along with four Collaboration Centres focusing on food and agriculture, nuclear safety, water resource management, and innovative nuclear technology.

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Nuclear Energy and Global Recognition

Pakistan operates six nuclear power plants, contributing 3,530 megawatts of clean energy, with another 1,200 MW nuclear power plant under construction.

During the ongoing General Conference, the Nuclear Medicine, Oncology and Radiotherapy Institute (NORI) in Islamabad, a flagship hospital under the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), received recognition from IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi for its contributions to cancer treatment and expertise sharing.

The GC also hosted a side event titled “Pakistan – IAEA: Collaboration of Hope,” showcasing NORI’s role in capacity building and its broader contributions to cancer care across the regio