How the atom contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is the focus of this year’s IAEA Scientific Forum. A year after the adoption of the SDGs, leading experts and academics will meet in Vienna, Austria, from 28 to 29 September on the sidelines of the IAEA General Conference to review how nuclear science and technology can assist countries in achieving the ambitious targets set out by the global community.
The two-day event, Nuclear Technology for the Sustainable Development Goals, is open to the media and will be streamed live from the opening, set to start at 09.30 CET on 28 September 2016. The Scientific Forum will take place in Board Room D of the C-Building of the Vienna International Centre (VIC).
IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano will open the Forum. Keynote speakers include:
- Prince Albert II, Monaco
- Andrew Wheatley, Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, Jamaica
- Abdeladim Lhafi, Commissioner General of COP22 and High Commissioner for Water and Forests and the Fight against Desertification, Morocco
- Yiren Wang, Vice Chairman, China Atomic Energy Authority (CAEA)
- Alan Finkel, Chief Scientist, Australia
Speakers from 25 countries will discuss in five thematic sessions how nuclear technology contributes to the well-being of people, boosts prosperity and helps to protect the planet:
- Session 1 Health and Well-being: Global Access to Radiation Medicine explores the role of radiation medicine in the diagnosis and management of cancer and cardiovascular diseases, as well as what is needed to increase access to medical equipment and services.
- Session 2 Zero Hunger: Atoms for Food, Agriculture and Nutrition looks at how nuclear techniques can help tackle agricultural challenges – such as insect pests and animal diseases – and improve crops and nutrition.
- Session 3 Energy for the Future: The Role of Nuclear Power showcases how further deployment of nuclear reactors, innovation, technology advances and new economic models could increase access to energy, address climate change, and contribute to industrialization.
- Session 4 Isotopes for the Environment: Managing our Natural Resources discusses how nuclear and isotopic techniques can help evaluate the impact of climate change, track pollutants, clean water and address soil erosion.
- Session 5 Partnerships for Progress: Transferring Nuclear Science and Technology examines how to sustainably transfer nuclear science and technology for peaceful uses, addressing effective partnerships, international cooperation, and human resources among others.
The Forum will conclude with a wrap-up session with IAEA Director General Amano.
The detailed programme and full list of speakers can be found here. Some of the experts are available for interviews. Please contact the IAEA Press Office for more details.
Accreditation
Journalists with permanent credentials to the VIC need no additional credentials. We encourage those journalists who do not yet have permanent accreditation to request it at UNIS Vienna.
Others should contact Michelle Gruensteidl for accreditation. Please email m.gruensteidl@iaea.org or call [+43-1] 2600-22048 or [+43-1] 2600-21273.