State Vows to Peaceful Nuclear Energy Application

Source: The Herald (Harare)

Date: 1 October, 2005

Author: The Herald (Harare)

The Government is committed to the setting up of an appropriate legal framework that will enforce and facilitate the peaceful application of nuclear energy in the country.

Zimbabwe's Charge D' Affaires and Alternate Permanent Representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Mr Vova Abednigo Chikanda, said it was pleasing to note that the atomic energy agency had put into the pipeline its intended assistance in tackling communicable diseases.

This is for the early detection of drug resistant malaria strains and HIV/Aids vaccine development and it is believed that stable isotope techniques from the IAEA would facilitate studies on the effectiveness of micro-nutrient fortification programmes.

Mr Chikanda was addressing the 49th General Conference of the IAEA in Vienna, Austria on Tuesday. The conference ends today

Zimbabwe, he said, was cooperating with the IAEA on nuclear technology and applications to national priorities for sustainable development, based on agricultural production, health, water resources development, industrial applications, energy self-sufficiency and further strengthening the national radiation protection infrastructure.

It also cooperates in issues such as nuclear applications in food and agriculture focusing on animal disease and in addressing desertification and drought issues.

"Due to the recent occurrence of droughts and floods in the dry lands, this has had a negative impact on economic growth of the agency's assistance to protect the environment and sustain crop production as it is essential to ensure food security," said Mr Chikanda.

"Our cooperation with the agency is crucial in enhancing Zimbabwe's diagnostic capacity for animal diseases as well as setting up quality assurance schemes to ensure that the veterinary laboratories meet internationally recognised standards and restore Zimbabwe's contribution to the livestock market."

Agriculture was the mainstay of the country's economy, contributing between 16 percent and 20 percent of the total output of the economy and providing employment and incomes for 70 percent of the population. It also provided 60 percent of raw materials for the manufacturing sector.

In this regard, Zimbabwe underscored the IAEA's timely interventions through improved crop varieties, nuclear insect control techniques, disease and soil management to raise agricultural productivity.