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Visit to Africa

23 July 2009 (Updated 29 July 2009) | IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei officially visited three countries in Africa - South Africa, Tanzania and Kenya - to meet with senior officials responsible for peaceful nuclear development.

From 17-21 July, Dr. ElBaradei was in South Africa where he met Mr. Jacob G. Zuma, President of the Republic of South Africa; Ms. Dipuo Peters, Minister of Energy; and other senior government officials. He also visited the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (NECSA) at Pelindaba, the SAFARI-1 Reactor and NTP Radioisotopes, which is one of the world's largest producers of radioisotopes for medical use.

From 21-23 July, Dr. ElBaradei was in Tanzania where he met Mr. Jakaya Kikwete, President of Tanzania; Mr Peter Msolla, Minister of Communications, Science and Technology; and other senior government officials. He also visited the Ocean Road Cancer Institute, which is the first PACT demonstration site in Africa, where he interacted with medical staff and patients.

From 23-24 July, Dr. ElBaradei was in Kenya where he met the country´s President Mr. Mwai Kibaki; Mr. Kalonzo Masyoka, Vice President of Kenya; Ms. Sally Jepngetick Kosgey, Minister for Higher Education, Science and Technology; and other senior government officials. He also visited the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute in Muguga.

The focus of the discussions held during the Director General´s trip to Africa was the growing energy demand to meet the challenges of development in the region, as well as possible IAEA assistance with energy assessment and energy planning studies. In addition, the discussions also touched on the issue of cooperation between the IAEA and Member States in the use of nuclear techniques in the areas of health and agriculture.

See Story Resources for more information.

Dr. Mohamed ElBaradei, IAEA Director General