Category: IAEA

According to the International Agency for Research on cancer, Panama recorded over 8,300 new cancer cases and 3,770 deaths in 2022. Among men, prostate cancer accounts for over one‑third of all new cases, followed by colorectal and stomach cancers. Among women, breast cancer represents more than a quarter of cases, followed by colorectal and cervical cancers.  

With an aging population and continued exposure to major risk factors — including unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, and tobacco use — cancer remains a public health challenge.  Projections show a further rise in cases by 2030, placing mounting strain on Panama’s health system and making it increasingly important to strengthen prevention, early detection and timely access to care.  

The team reviewed Panama’s capacities and needs across cancer control, including governance, infrastructure, human resources, and surveillance.  

Findings identified strengths in cancer care, such as a modern diagnostic and treatment infrastructure, a committed health workforce, and a legal framework to address the disease, anchored in the National Cancer Plan 2019–2029. 

At the same time, the mission identified several opportunities for growth, including improved coordination between different health subsystems – such as primary care, diagnostic services, and specialized oncology – as well as expanded training in oncology specialties and stronger data systems. 

“The imPACT Review was a deep dive into Panama’s diagnostic and therapeutic pathways. However, we are not just assessing, we are co-developing solutions, which will help translate Panama’s National Cancer Plan into actionable, technical steps that directly impact patient care tomorrow.” said Enrique Estrada Lobato, Nuclear Medicine Physician at the IAEA.  

Increasing human resource capacities, particularly the number of specialized professionals and their distribution, emerged as a priority, especially in radiotherapy, nuclear medicine, and diagnostic imaging, as Panama moves to decentralize services. Through its technical cooperation and human health programmes, the IAEA is helping to address these gaps through capacity building and expanding access to life-saving radiation medicine services. 

A key infrastructure priority is the construction of a radiotherapy bunker in Bugaba, Chiriquí province, which will house a linear accelerator (LINAC) provided by the IAEA under the Rays of Hope initiative. This will be a critical step in expanding access to high-quality cancer treatment in western Panama. Findings and preliminary recommendations from the imPACT Review presented to senior officials call for strengthening national governance and planning, accelerating infrastructure development and expanding regional oncology services. The final report will serve as a roadmap for future development and cooperation in cancer control. 

Nuclear energy ranks among the cleanest power sources when assessed across its entire lifecycle. Lifecycle analyses consider every stage — from uranium mining and fuel fabrication to plant construction, operation and decommissioning. Even with all these phases included, nuclear power’s total greenhouse gas emissions remain extremely low, comparable to wind and lower than solar.  

This is because nuclear reactors produce electricity without releasing carbon dioxide during operation, and advances in technology continue to reduce emissions from earlier stages of the fuel cycle. New reactor designs — including small modular reactors— are being developed to provide flexible, dispatchable clean energy and further minimize total emissions.  

According to the IAEA’s Power Reactor Information System (PRIS), as of 20 January 2026, 415 reactors were in operation worldwide, providing 376.0 GW(e) of nuclear capacity and supplying hundreds of millions of homes with low‑carbon electricity.  

Nuclear power plants can provide a continuous and reliable supply of energy because they operate at full capacity nearly uninterrupted. This contrasts with variable renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, whose output depends on weather conditions and typically requires backup or storage.  

This reliability is critical because: 

•  energy demand continues to grow globally.
• nuclear power complements renewables by supplying constant power, smoothing variability and reducing reliance on fossil fuel backup during lulls in wind or solar power.
• Nuclear power is increasingly being explored as a solution to meet the growing electricity demand for data centres. At the same time, AI offers powerful tools to optimize reactor performance, streamline construction and enhance operational efficiency — enabling nuclear energy to reach its full potential while maintaining standards of safe and security.   

Momentum to increase financing for nuclear energy is growing. The IAEA is expanding its cooperation with a range of international financial institutions  to support countries in exploring and financing nuclear energy, including nuclear power plants (NPPs). These partnerships include engagement with the WBG, the Asian Development Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and OPEC Fund. 

A total of 33 countries have endorsed the Declaration to Triple Nuclear Energy, signalling a collective ambition to triple global nuclear energy capacity by 2050.  The signatories span a wide geographic range across continents and include newcomer countries such as El Salvador, Ghana, Jamaica, Kazakhstan and Rwanda. 

At the UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai 2023, nuclear energy was included in the  Global Stocktake, which called for its accelerated deployment alongside other low carbon energy sources. 

The second Nuclear Energy Summit will be hosted by the Government of France in Paris on 10 March. It follows the previous Nuclear Energy Summit in 2024, in which world leaders gathered in Brussels to highlight the role of nu

High-temperature reactors, small modular reactors (SMRs) and hybrid systems can generate low-carbon heat for industrial processes, in sectors such as steel, cement, and chemical production.  Maritime transport can be enabled by SMRs or microreactors for port electrification and onboard nuclear propulsion. 

Nuclear technology continues to evolve, to become more fit for purpose for future needs. New reactor designs offer higher safety margins, improved efficiency and longer operating lifetimes, while small modular reactors (SMRs) and other advanced systems provide greater flexibility in how and where nuclear power can be deployed. 

SMRs are designed to shorten construction timelines, have lower upfront capital requirements and provide enhanced load‑following capabilities, allowing them to complement variable renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. 

Advanced reactor concepts are also being developed to improve fuel efficiency, reduce waste volumes and expand the use of alternative fuels.  

Fusion is progressing as a potential long-term clean energy source. The IAEA’s World Fusion Outlook 2025 shows that fusion is now emerging as a strategic national priority for research and development. The second Ministerial Meeting of the IAEA World Fusion Energy Group was held in Chengdu, China to discuss policies and initiatives on fusion—a potentially abundant source of clean energy capable of meeting growing development needs. 

The IAEA supports countries pursuing nuclear power programmes by providing data, analysis and knowledge on how nuclear power can contribute towards decarbonization and climate action. Through its work, the IAEA helps build skills, encourages innovation and strengthens countries’ capacities to plan and manage their energy systems. These efforts help countries meet growing energy needs, improve energy security and reduce environmental impacts, including those related to environmental change. 

Nuclear energy ranks among the cleanest power sources when assessed across its entire lifecycle. Lifecycle analyses consider every stage — from uranium mining and fuel fabrication to plant construction, operation and decommissioning. Even with all these phases included, nuclear power’s total greenhouse gas emissions remain extremely low, comparable to wind and lower than solar.  

This is because nuclear reactors produce electricity without releasing carbon dioxide during operation, and advances in technology continue to reduce emissions from earlier stages of the fuel cycle. New reactor designs — including small modular reactors— are being developed to provide flexible, dispatchable clean energy and further minimize total emissions.  

According to the IAEA’s Power Reactor Information System (PRIS), as of 20 January 2026, 415 reactors were in operation worldwide, providing 376.0 GW(e) of nuclear capacity and supplying hundreds of millions of homes with low‑carbon electricity.  

Nuclear power plants can provide a continuous and reliable supply of energy because they operate at full capacity nearly uninterrupted. This contrasts with variable renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, whose output depends on weather conditions and typically requires backup or storage.  

This reliability is critical because: 

•  energy demand continues to grow globally.
• nuclear power complements renewables by supplying constant power, smoothing variability and reducing reliance on fossil fuel backup during lulls in wind or solar power.
• Nuclear power is increasingly being explored as a solution to meet the growing electricity demand for data centres. At the same time, AI offers powerful tools to optimize reactor performance, streamline construction and enhance operational efficiency — enabling nuclear energy to reach its full potential while maintaining standards of safe and security.   

Momentum to increase financing for nuclear energy is growing. The IAEA is expanding its cooperation with a range of international financial institutions  to support countries in exploring and financing nuclear energy, including nuclear power plants (NPPs). These partnerships include engagement with the WBG, the Asian Development Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and OPEC Fund. 

A total of 33 countries have endorsed the Declaration to Triple Nuclear Energy, signalling a collective ambition to triple global nuclear energy capacity by 2050.  The signatories span a wide geographic range across continents and include newcomer countries such as El Salvador, Ghana, Jamaica, Kazakhstan and Rwanda. 

At the UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai 2023, nuclear energy was included in the  Global Stocktake, which called for its accelerated deployment alongside other low carbon energy sources. 

The second Nuclear Energy Summit will be hosted by the Government of France in Paris on 10 March. It follows the previous Nuclear Energy Summit in 2024, in which world leaders gathered in Brussels to highlight the role of nu

High-temperature reactors, small modular reactors (SMRs) and hybrid systems can generate low-carbon heat for industrial processes, in sectors such as steel, cement, and chemical production.  Maritime transport can be enabled by SMRs or microreactors for port electrification and onboard nuclear propulsion. 

Nuclear technology continues to evolve, to become more fit for purpose for future needs. New reactor designs offer higher safety margins, improved efficiency and longer operating lifetimes, while small modular reactors (SMRs) and other advanced systems provide greater flexibility in how and where nuclear power can be deployed. 

SMRs are designed to shorten construction timelines, have lower upfront capital requirements and provide enhanced load‑following capabilities, allowing them to complement variable renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. 

Advanced reactor concepts are also being developed to improve fuel efficiency, reduce waste volumes and expand the use of alternative fuels.  

Fusion is progressing as a potential long-term clean energy source. The IAEA’s World Fusion Outlook 2025 shows that fusion is now emerging as a strategic national priority for research and development. The second Ministerial Meeting of the IAEA World Fusion Energy Group was held in Chengdu, China to discuss policies and initiatives on fusion—a potentially abundant source of clean energy capable of meeting growing development needs. 

The IAEA supports countries pursuing nuclear power programmes by providing data, analysis and knowledge on how nuclear power can contribute towards decarbonization and climate action. Through its work, the IAEA helps build skills, encourages innovation and strengthens countries’ capacities to plan and manage their energy systems. These efforts help countries meet growing energy needs, improve energy security and reduce environmental impacts, including those related to environmental change. 

Agriculture provides livelihoods for nearly 70 percent of Benin’s population and remains the backbone of the national economy. Despite steady economic growth, Benin faces persistent food security challenges, particularly in rural areas where smallholder farmers are vulnerable to weather variability.

The Government has prioritized modernizing and strengthening the resilience of the sector in its national development strategy.

Livestock productivity is hindered by low-performing breeds and poor feed and water management, while animal diseases such as trypanosomiasis reduce meat and milk output.  Food safety control is limited, with analytical capacity to monitor food products centralized in Cotonou, in the extreme south of the country.

“The Atoms4Food initiative is perfectly aligned with Benin’s strategic priorities: ensuring food security and boosting the productivity of our agricultural sector,” said Gaston Cossi Dossouhoui, Benin’s Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries. “The partnership and expertise of the IAEA are crucial and will enable us to consolidate our capabilities to provide producers with reliable solutions, increase yields and minimise post-harvest losses.”

The assessment identified areas where nuclear science could make a measurable impact.

Plant mutation breeding using irradiation could speed up development of high yield maize and rice varieties to 3–5 years. This technique has been used for decades by countries around the world to improve crops.

Nitrogen-15 isotope tracing could help farmers optimize fertilizer application, improving efficiency by 40%, while radioanalytical techniques could enhance national capacity to detect and monitor contaminants and residues.

Food irradiation can also reduce post-harvest and packaged product infestations, extending product shelf-life and quality.

“Nuclear and isotopic techniques offer precise, innovative and unique solutions to some of the most persistent challenges,” said Najat Mokhtar, IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications. “These tools can be tailored to Benin’s priorities.”

The team reviewed opportunities to scale up ongoing support from the IAEA and the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture and highlighted the need to reinforce the capacities of the country’s research and regulatory institutions, including laboratory upgrades in the country.  

Through technical cooperation, Benin has introduced artificial insemination in cattle and uses nuclear-derived RT-PCR to rapidly detect diseases and pathogens such as peste des petit ruminants (PPR) and salmonella.  

With IAEA support, the University of Abomey-Calavi has developed capacity to apply isotopic techniques to evaluate breastfeeding practices and assess iron absorption from food. The team recommended strengthening capabilities to generate additional nutrition data for national initiatives.

“The IAEA remains a committed partner to help Benin leverage nuclear science to strengthen food security and drive human and economic development,” said Hua Liu, IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of the Technical Cooperation Department.