In the statement of the Bangladesh delegation on behalf of Prime Minister Tareq Rahman, the minister greeted the President of the Conference and thanked IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi for his role in promoting peaceful nuclear technology and international cooperation.
The minister said that for more than five decades, Bangladesh has benefited in various sectors, including health, agriculture, food, water management, industry, and energy, through the IAEA's technical cooperation programme. The recent signing of the Country Programme Framework (CPF) for the 2026–2032 period will create new opportunities for technical cooperation in the coming years.
Describing the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant as a historic milestone for the country's energy security, Fakir Mahbub Anam said that by loading fuel into Unit-1, Bangladesh has achieved important progress toward carbon-free electricity generation.
Regarding nuclear safety, he said that Bangladesh's inclusion in the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management, as the first country in South Asia, reflects the country's commitment to a safe and responsible nuclear programme.
He further said that the use of nuclear technology must be applied to improving people's quality of life, climate resilience, food and agricultural production, and expanding healthcare. In particular, he emphasized strengthening cooperation under the IAEA's ‘Rays of Hope’ initiative to expand cancer treatment opportunities.
The Science and Technology Minister also said that creating opportunities for young researchers and scientists, encouraging research and innovation, and increasing technological capacity through international cooperation are Bangladesh's priorities.
At the end of his statement, he called for further deepening international cooperation for the expansion of peaceful nuclear technology, strengthening nuclear safety, and sustainable development.
