The designation of the first ARASIA Regional Resource Centres (RRCs) was marked at an official ceremony on 30 November 2018 at IAEA headquarters. The designation of the Centres is a concrete step that demonstrates ARASIA’s strategic approach and its efforts to enhance and reinforce the sustainable contribution of nuclear science and technology for development purposes in the region. Two centres, in the field of nuclear medicine – namely, Kuwait Cancer Control Centre and the American University of Beirut Medical Centre – were designated as ARASIA RRCs.
The ceremony was attended by the delegation of Kuwait and Lebanon, ARASIA National Representatives, relevant stakeholders and IAEA staff.
During his welcoming remarks, the ARASIA Chair, Bilal Nsouli, emphasized the important role of the designated RRCs in enhancing the quality of healthcare services in ARASIA State Parties and the wider field of nuclear medicine. “ARASIA will continue to build its regional capacity and increase the number of specified RRCs in the region,” Mr. Nsouli said.
Dazhu Yang, IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Technical Cooperation, congratulated ARASIA for the designation of its first RRCs. “This is a significant breakthrough for ARASIA,” he said. “With the designation of these Centres, ARASIA is setting out a road map for enhanced south-south cooperation.”
