Bangladesh has sought continued cooperation from International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in implementing the Ruppoor power project for overcoming the power shortage of the country.
State Minister for Science and ICT Yeafesh Osman sought the cooperation at the 54th Session of Annual General Conference of IAEA that began on September 20 in Vienna, according to a message received here on Thursday.
The state minister is leading an eight-member Bangladesh delegation in the session.
In his speech at the conference, Yeafesh iterated the firm commitment of the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to the causes of nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament and to accelerate the diversified peaceful applications of nuclear energy to the benefit of mankind.
The State Minister informed the conference that the government had taken a decision to expedite the implementation of Rooppur Nuclear Project.
He thanked the IAEA for its support for nuclear power program of Bangladesh and sought continued cooperation from IAEA to diagnose and treat the deadly diseases like cancer.
The state minister explained the “Vision 2021” and the plan for “Digital Bangladesh” declared by the present government to realize the dream of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
He said the use of science and technology and an expanded role of nuclear energy in various socio-economic sectors are identified as one of the key tools for meeting the goals of Vision 2021.
On the sidelines of the conference, the State Minister met Deputy Director General (DDG) of Technical Cooperation Division of IAEA Dr Anna Maria Cetto and discussed different aspects of IAEA Technical Cooperation projects in Bangladesh.
During the meeting, the DDG expressed her strong desire to implement the nuclear power project on the basis of national development plans of Bangladesh in the areas of energy and power.
She expressed her satisfaction over the progress made by Bangladesh and assured IAEA’s support in this regard.
The State Minister also met IAEA’s Deputy Director General of Nuclear Safety and Security Division Denis Flory.
Yeafesh informed the DDG of different steps taken by the government of Bangladesh for ensuring nuclear safety and security through strengthening the relevant nuclear regulatory authority.
