Science and technology's critical role in eradicating famine and disease - among the root causes of global instability - will be addressed by some of the world's leading experts at an IAEA Forum in Vienna, 18-19 September. The meeting will underline the contribution of nuclear science and technology to sustainable development and the betterment of human welfare and stress the need for the world's wealthiest nations to give it more support.
The two-day Scientific Forum is being held in conjunction with the IAEA's annual General Conference at the Austria Centre.
In the developing world, nuclear science and technology applied at the village level, is providing an alternative to suffering for some of the world's poorest people. In Africa it promises to eradicate the tsetse fly, carrier of sleeping sickness and nagana, a disease that binds millions of rural people to poverty by killing their livestock, the source of draught power. In Asia isotope hydrology techniques are helping to relieve the plight of millions of people in Bangladesh, whose drinking water is contaminated by arsenic. In Latin America isotopic and nuclear techniques are being used as tools in the fight against malnutrition.
Globally, nuclear science and technology is being applied to improved management of Earth's dwindling fresh water resources and greater understanding of climate change.
It is also saving the lives of women with cervical cancer, a major killer of women over 30 years old in developing countries, more of whom now have access to radiotherapy treatment.
Nuclear science and technology permits the development of new plant breeds to provide greater food yields and is assisting the reclamation for agricultural use of land blighted by salt or salt water.
Food security, fresh water resources and human health will be the focus of the forum, Serving Human Needs: Nuclear Technology for Sustainable Development.
In the last 10 years the IAEA has contributed nearly US $60 million towards expanding radiotherapy treatment for cancer, the use of isotopes in managing fresh water resources, and in the fight against the tsetse fly. The Agency places considerable emphasis on assisting partner countries to adopt new technologies and use them to the best effect by providing training and continued support.
Among the speakers will be Jeffrey Sachs, Director of the Centre for International Development at Harvard University in the USA (via video-conference), Jose Vargas, former Minister of Science and Technology in Brazil, and Margaret Catley-Carlson, who chairs the Global Water Partnership.
All interested journalists are invited to attend. Further information on the Forum can be found on the IAEA website: www.iaea.org. Please come with a valid press ID.