Vienna: Cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will help advance the transfer of peaceful nuclear technology to Syria, the head of the Syrian Atomic Energy Commission stated. Mudhar al-Aklah made these remarks shortly after the commission and the IAEA signed a Country Programme Framework (CPF) for 2026-2031 in Vienna.

According to Anadolu Agency, the agreement encompasses seven crucial areas: nuclear and radiation safety, health and nutrition, food and agriculture, energy planning and nuclear knowledge management, industrial applications, and water and the environment. Syria's participation in the 70th session of the IAEA General Conference marked a significant milestone in its technical cooperation with the agency.

Al-Aklah emphasized that the signed agreement injects new momentum into Syria's collaboration with the IAEA, facilitating the direct transfer of nuclear technology to various sectors, including health, agriculture, water, energy, and radiation safety. He highlighted that a roadmap signed with the agency could help translate Syria's lifted non-compliance status into concrete development projects, benefiting citizens and aiding public service sector recovery.

On September 9, the IAEA Board of Governors ended a non-compliance decision regarding Syria's nuclear obligations under its safeguards agreement linked to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, following the completion of relevant technical and legal requirements.

Al-Aklah noted that Syria's signing of a framework document for a research reactor network in the Asia-Pacific region allows it to benefit from a regional mechanism for exchanging expertise and developing research reactors, including Syria's own. Represented by its Atomic Energy Commission, Syria participated in the framework document signing in Vienna alongside representatives from 12 countries, with IAEA support.

SANA reported that the network serves as a regional platform owned by participating states for exchanging knowledge and expertise, strengthening safety and security standards at research reactors, improving operations, building capacity, and developing joint scientific research. Al-Aklah stated that these steps mark Syria's restoration in the field of peaceful nuclear science, deeming it necessary for all countries.

These developments occur as Syrian authorities aim to rehabilitate critical sectors and promote development and economic recovery following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime on December 8, 2024.