Bangladesh seeks IAEA support to expedite power supply from Rooppur to national grid

He sought the support during a bilateral meeting between a Bangladesh delegation and IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi at the agency’s headquarters in Vienna, Austria, today, said an official handout here. 

The science and technology minister led the Bangladesh delegation at the meeting. 
 
The meeting discussed the expansion of peaceful uses of nuclear technology, strengthening nuclear safety and security, and enhancing international cooperation.

Mahbub Anam thanked IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi for his role in expanding the peaceful uses of nuclear technology and strengthening international cooperation.

The meeting discussed enhancing mutual cooperation between Bangladesh and the IAEA and further strengthening Bangladesh’s capacity for the peaceful use of nuclear science and technology through human resource development.

The minister said Bangladesh has been benefiting from the IAEA’s technical cooperation programme for more than five decades in various important sectors, including health, agriculture, food, water management, industry and energy.

He said Bangladesh has recently signed the Country Programme Framework (CPF) for 2026-2032, which would create new opportunities for technical cooperation in the coming years.

Describing the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant as a historic milestone for Bangladesh’s energy security, Mahbub Anam said Bangladesh has made significant progress towards carbon-free power generation through fuel loading at Unit-1 of the plant.

“This has opened up new possibilities for meeting the country’s growing electricity demand, ensuring energy security and addressing climate change,” he said, adding, Bangladesh is committed to maintaining the highest international standards in nuclear safety, security and responsible management.
The minister said Bangladesh’s accession to 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 implementing a safe and responsible nuclear programme.

At the meeting, he expressed sincere gratitude to the IAEA Director General and the IAEA Secretariat for their leadership in advancing the “Rays of Hope: Cancer Care for All” initiative.

Mahbub Anam said Bangladesh joined the “Rays of Hope” initiative in 2025 and is working closely with the IAEA to transform the partnership into an effective national-level programme.

“One of the priorities of the initiative is to establish an integrated one-stop cancer care centre, where more coordinated, accessible and patient-centred treatment can be ensured,” he said, adding, IAEA’s technical cooperation is highly important for Bangladesh in capacity building, knowledge exchange and strengthening a sustainable cancer treatment system.

The minister stressed the need to further strengthen cooperation under the “Rays of Hope” initiative to expand access to cancer treatment in Bangladesh.

Noting that Bangladesh is looking forward to the IAEA-WHO Impact Review Mission scheduled for November 2026, he said the mission would provide an important opportunity for an evidence-based assessment of Bangladesh’s national cancer control capacity and for setting practical priorities in different areas of the cancer care system.

Emphasising the need to bring the benefits of science and technology to people’s doorsteps, Mahbub Anam said the use of nuclear technology should not remain confined to technological advancement but should also contribute to improving people’s living standard, enhancing climate resilience, increasing food and agricultural productivity and expanding healthcare services.

He said creating new opportunities for young researchers and scientists, encouraging research and innovation, and enhancing knowledge and technological capacity through international cooperation are among Bangladesh’s priorities.

The minister urged the IAEA Director General to expand international education, training, fellowship and joint research opportunities for students, scientists and researchers.

He said the government’s goal is to build a more integrated, equitable and sustainable cancer care system in Bangladesh so that the benefits of nuclear science and technology reach those who need them most.

Mahbub Anam expressed Bangladesh’s firm commitment to working closely with the IAEA and its partners to turn the commitments under the “Rays of Hope” initiative into tangible and lasting benefits for the people of Bangladesh.

He also called for deeper international cooperation from the IAEA in expanding peaceful nuclear technology, strengthening nuclear safety and security, and promoting sustainable development.

Science and Technology Secretary Md Anwar Hossain, Bangladesh Ambassador and Permanent Representative to Vienna Toufique Hasan, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Dr M Moinul Islam and Joint Secretary of the Science and Technology Ministry Sheikh Mohammed Tauhidul Islam were present at the meeting, reports BSS.