The Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) convened in Vienna, Austria, Friday, Jan. 31, to discuss items on its agenda, including developments related to the Russian-Ukrainian nuclear file. Syria took part in the meetings with a delegation headed by Dr. Mudar al-Aklah, Director General of the Syrian Atomic Energy Commission (SAEC), reflecting Syria’s renewed engagement within international and multilateral organizations.
In a statement on the sidelines of the meetings, Dr. Aklah affirmed Syria’s commitment to playing an active and responsible role within the IAEA framework. He stressed Syria’s readiness to contribute constructively to international discussions and to strengthen cooperation and joint action among member states.
Strengthening Cooperation and Resolving Outstanding Issues
During the meetings, Dr. Aklah held talks with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi. The discussions focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation and outlining a pathway to resolving outstanding issues between Syria and the Agency. These included historical matters related to past nuclear activities, transparency, and access for inspectors.
The meeting also addressed how the IAEA could support infrastructure development in Syria, particularly in the health and food security sectors. This aspect of cooperation was highlighted as a practical approach that directly benefits the Syrian population and aligns technical cooperation with development needs.
Evaluating Future Technical Cooperation Programs
The Syrian delegation also held a high-level technical meeting with Hua Liu, Deputy Director General and Head of the IAEA Department of Technical Cooperation, at the Agency’s headquarters in Vienna. The discussions reviewed current and future cooperation programs between Syria and the Agency, with the participation of project counterparts from both sides.
These programs cover several priority areas, including health, food security, industrial applications, radiation protection, and knowledge management. The meeting aimed to assess progress, identify future needs, and maximize the benefits of IAEA support in terms of equipment provision and national capacity building.
Commitment to Stability and Peaceful Nuclear Use
Syria’s participation in these meetings comes within a broader context of reaffirming its commitment to cooperation with international partners, particularly the IAEA, in ways that contribute to regional and international security and stability.
As one of the Agency’s principal bodies, the Board of Governors serves as a key platform for discussions on the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, safeguards implementation, and technical cooperation. Through its active engagement, Syria underscores its intention to resume its full role in the multilateral system, with a focus on technical cooperation that supports national development priorities and peaceful applications of nuclear technology.
