Vietnam asks IAEA to support training of nuclear energy human resources

At the reception, the Deputy Prime Minister expressed his gratitude and appreciation for the IAEA's support to Vietnam over the past years through bilateral and multilateral cooperation mechanisms. In particular, in the 2018-2023 period, the IAEA directly supported Vietnam with 17 national projects with a total budget of nearly 3 million euros.

The Deputy Prime Minister thanked the IAEA as well as Mr. Hua Liu personally for promoting the signing of the Cooperation Framework Program between Vietnam and the IAEA for the 2022-2027 period and supporting Vietnam in amending the Law on Atomic Energy; he hoped that the IAEA would continue to cooperate with Vietnam, especially in policy making and human resource training for the nuclear energy sector.

“Vietnam commits to fulfilling its obligations and making responsible contributions to international treaties to which Vietnam is a member, especially those related to safety and security control, combating illegal trafficking and transportation of radioactive substances and nuclear materials, and combating nuclear weapons proliferation, thereby contributing to the IAEA’s efforts to address issues of common concern to the international community and promote the application of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes,” the Deputy Prime Minister affirmed.

Focus - Vietnam asks IAEA to support training of nuclear energy human resources — Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang received Mr. Hua Liu - Deputy Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (Photo: VGP).

Vietnam always supports the central and leading role of the IAEA in shaping standards and frameworks on nuclear safety and security, especially for emerging nuclear technologies.

As an active and responsible member of the IAEA, Vietnam has served as Chairman of the IAEA Board of Governors for the 2013-2014 term and a member of the Board of Governors for the last five terms; effectively coordinated with the IAEA in implementing nuclear inspection activities in Vietnam; participated in the IAEA Task Force to monitor the discharge of treated radioactive substances at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant in Japan; and contributed funds to the IAEA Laboratory in Seibersdorf.

IAEA Deputy Director General Hua Liu said that during his visit to Vietnam, he had many fruitful meetings with leaders of the Vietnamese Ministries of Science and Technology , Agriculture and Rural Development, and Health.

“The IAEA has repeatedly welcomed Vietnam's pioneering role in sub-regional cooperation, especially in the tripartite cooperation model between Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia in the application of nuclear science and technology in economic and technical sectors,” the IAEA Deputy Director General emphasized.

The IAEA will continue to cooperate with Vietnam, especially in technical assistance, capacity building training, infrastructure improvement, perfecting regulations and standards to ensure nuclear safety and security, and promoting the application of nuclear technology in smart agricultural development, Mr. Hua Liu affirmed.

Mr. Hua Liu also said that many countries are interested in developing nuclear power, considering it a clean energy source in their electricity structure. At the recent COP28 Conference, more than 20 countries said they would triple their nuclear power output and there will be an upcoming conference of leaders in Brussels (Belgium) to discuss the use of nuclear energy in these countries.

“After the Fukushima accident in 2011, the IAEA has made many efforts to improve regulations and standards related to the safety and use of nuclear power, as well as promote public support for the use of nuclear power. Accordingly, more and more countries have accepted the use of nuclear power as a feasible option,” said Mr. Hua Liu .

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